inequities
Systemic unfair gaps
Inequities are instances of unfairness or injustice, particularly in how resources, opportunities, or treatment are distributed.
The word emphasizes systemic imbalance rather than individual unfairness: The report documented racial inequities in healthcare, economic inequities between regions.
Unlike simple inequalities (which may be neutral differences), inequities carry moral weight—they suggest something that ought to be corrected.
Refusing loans by neighborhood
- segregationForced separation by group
- gerrymanderingManipulating electoral boundaries strategically
- apartheidRacial separation policy
- disenfranchisementRemoval of voting rights
mass incarceration · school-to-prison pipeline · voter suppression · glass ceiling · wage theft · predatory lending · environmental racism · medical racism
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- ageismPrejudice targeting older people
ableism · homophobia · transphobia · xenophobia · bigotry · stereotyping · partiality · favoritism
Being barred from participation
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- disenfranchisementRemoval of voting rights
- povertySevere lack of resources
- stigmaMark of dishonor
underrepresentation · invisibility · silencing · erasure · exploitation · victimization · displacement · ghettoization
Unfilled spaces between
- imbalancesLack of proper proportion
- differencesWays things aren't alike
- asymmetryAbsence of balanced form
- unevennessLack of uniformity
discrepancies · disproportionality · wage gap · wealth gap · health disparities · achievement gap · opportunity gap · digital divide
Favorable position or circumstance
- entitlementAssumed right to benefits
- accessRight to enter
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- wealthAbundance of valuable resources
affluence · inheritance · elite · exclusivity · social capital · connections · legacy admissions · old boys network
Improve by correcting faults
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- reparationsCompensation for historical wrongs
- affirmative actionPrograms boosting marginalized representation
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
redistribution · restitution · accountability · remediation · inclusion · accessibility · representation · empowerment
redlining
Refusing loans by neighborhood
- segregationForced separation by group
- gerrymanderingManipulating electoral boundaries strategically
- apartheidRacial separation policy
disenfranchisement · mass incarceration · school-to-prison pipeline · voter suppression · glass ceiling · wage theft · predatory lending · environmental racism · medical racism · hiring discrimination
prejudice
Preformed unfavorable opinion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
ageism · ableism · homophobia · transphobia · xenophobia · bigotry · stereotyping · partiality · favoritism · nepotism
exclusion
Being barred from participation
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- disenfranchisementRemoval of voting rights
- povertySevere lack of resources
stigma · underrepresentation · invisibility · silencing · erasure · exploitation · victimization · displacement · ghettoization · caste
gaps
Unfilled spaces between
- imbalancesLack of proper proportion
- differencesWays things aren't alike
- asymmetryAbsence of balanced form
unevenness · discrepancies · disproportionality · wage gap · wealth gap · health disparities · achievement gap · opportunity gap · digital divide · healthcare gap
advantage
Favorable position or circumstance
- entitlementAssumed right to benefits
- accessRight to enter
- powerEnergy transfer rate
wealth · affluence · inheritance · elite · exclusivity · social capital · connections · legacy admissions · old boys network · white privilege
reform
Improve by correcting faults
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- reparationsCompensation for historical wrongs
- affirmative actionPrograms boosting marginalized representation
civil rights · redistribution · restitution · accountability · remediation · inclusion · accessibility · representation · empowerment · social justice
inequitiesfairness
Just and equal treatment
equities · justice · equity · fair treatment · equal treatment
inequitiesequality
Same status for all
parity · evenness · balance · equal footing · uniformity
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