Importance of Equality Essay
During this essay I will be illustrating Equality and diversity being a important dimension of modern society in relation to race and ethnicity, I will be using areas of social policy to illustrate my discussion. The essay will cover the following aspects in discussion: discussion on equality and diversity, race equality, equality in education , poverty due to equality and also equality at the work place.
Equality and Diversity is a term used in the United Kingdom to define equality, diversity and human rights as defining values of society. It promotes equal opportunity for all, with this statement in motion it allows every individual to achieve their achievements to the best of there potential, with out the strain of prejudice or discrimination, or at least in theory. The Race Regulations incorporate the EU Race Directive into UK law. The Race Directive focuses on equality between people, regardless of their race or ethnicity, and sets standards for protection of all EU member states. The Regulations introduced a new definition of indirect discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic origin or national origin. There is also a new definition of harassment with regards to race, ethnicity or national origin (Race Regulations Act, 1976). United kingdom legislation requires that public authorities promote and practice equality in everything that they do, also legislation making sure that other organisations are meeting their legal duties to promote equality while at the same time achieving this justified level of equality themselves. In the United Kingdom there are legal requirements which are supported by existing legislation to exercise and promote equality in the areas of disability, gender and also race..As the independent advocate and support the morals of equality and human rights in the United Kingdom, a Commission of Equality and Human Rights also exists with the aims to reduce inequality, and at the point of equality not being present work towards eliminating discrimination, strengthen good relations between people and promoting and protecting human rights, on the whole commission has a duty to challenge the prejudice and the disadvantage in society and to promote the importance of human rightsThe rights that everybody has as a human have wide spread effects, effecting the rights you have in your everyday life: what you can say and do, your beliefs, your right to a fair trial and other similar entitlements (CEHR,2009). Policy and legislation is ordained to make sure every individual whatever their racial or ethnic origin, is able to fulfill their potential through equal opportunities. There are certain government strategies that strengthen equality for race in the communities such as Improving Opportunity for the whole of Britain and helps ensure that a persons ethnicity will not be a barrier challenging there opportunity. The Equality and Human Rights Commission which is in place work s to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential and participate in society by combating discrimination, protecting human rights and promoting good relations between different groups (CEHR, October 2007). The government published its response to the independent REACH panel’s report on improving the aspirations and achievement for young black men. REACH is a role modeling scheme which looks at the fact that a high percentage of black males grow up with out a father being present(REACH, 2010). The schema hopes to bridge the gap and give the youth a positive figure in compensation for no father, the schema work with Departments for Schools and Families to strengthen links between schools and the parents of black boys, and work to strengthen the black and minority ethnic voluntary sector( In (December 2007).
Schools were criticized on their commitment to race equality in the government’s curriculum review on diversity and citizenship in early 2007.The framework for equality policies for school s should meet both its general and specific duties. Ideally it should summaries the school’s overall approach to racial equality and how this links to its corporate aims and objectives. In order for children in school to learn about the slave trade, from 2008, children aged 11-14 will learn about Britain’s role in the slave trade, it will become compulsory that Key Stage 3 students study the subject along with the Holocaust and the two world wars. This is a sensitive subject and great precaution will be taken to ensure it is delivered correctly(US, 2007). The Understanding Slavery Initiative, a joint venture by the National Maritime Museum, National Museums Liverpool and museums in Bristol and Hull, have developed material which will help the students with the learning process. Poverty is a aspect which causes slavery and forced labor. One in five people in our world today as we know it, are living in poverty. Since 1997 the UK has doubled its aid budget, while in 2005 there was a deal in place to cancel ?50 billion debts owed by the poor countries. The American government presidency of the G8 and European Union in 2005 to push for renewed global commitment to the United Nations’ eight ‘Millennium Development Goals’. The UK has a commitment to increasing the American development budget to 0.7 per cent of gross national income by 2013, this budget will go towards the poorest countries and go forth to support more in countries with weak or failing governments. The government provided over ?1 billion to support poverty reduction in Africa last yea. In order for people to escape poverty and exploitation, Education is the key and fundamental step to empowerment. The UK has committed them selves to spend a budget of ?8.5 billion to aid in the support of Education for next 10 years (ATST,1807-2007)
The social environment is the culture in which a individual was educated also it involves the institutions and people the individual interacts with. Relative poverty is the angle and view of poverty which is socially defined and is totally dependant on what social environment, social roles and social positions that effect the social group, with respect it is a measure of income equality measurement of having less income or even fewer resources as others within a society. 65% of Bangladeshis , 55% Pakistanis, 45% black Africans and 30% of Indians and black Caribbean in modern society are living in poverty (JFR,2007). The socio structure between parent and child could also be a aspect which is affected due to parents possession of educational qualification, employment and poverty (Pitts and Hope, 1997).
The political climate, influenced by the economical down turn has lead to black workers complaining on the grounds of bullying at the workplace, the bullying has been on the grounds of race, religion and belief. Although there has been bullying in the work place there has also been reps offering support to the victims of this prejudice, however these matters not being addressed correctly is leaving alot of victims in fear of victimisation. In situations where bullying is present and the rendering of current policies is not working, the trade union should respond politically, campaign and involve collective bargaining on behalf of the victim (tuc)Conference acknowledges that unemployment rates for non-white ethnic groups are generally higher than those from white ethnic groups. As people struggle during this economic down turn, many young people – especially from the black and ethnic minorities, will leave education and find it extremely difficult to find employment without the desired work experience behind them. Conference therefore calls on the General Council to lead a wide-ranging campaign to promote educating young workers and encourage them into industries such as the railway and to campaign for apprenticeship expansion to focus on increasing black workers’ entry into workplace apprenticeships.’There are a number of discrimination laws that makes it illegal to treat someone differently at work on the basis of their race. The vast majority of employers have an equal opportunities policy that workers have to sign before they start work. The Race Relations Act 1976 makes it unlawful for there to be discrimination present against anyone on grounds of there race, colour, nationality , or ethnic or national origin. This act applies to jobs, training, housing, education and the provision of goods, facilities and services(Race Relations Act 1976 and Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000)
Equality in regards to race and ethnicity in modern society is subtle but still present today as it was in the days of slavery, the policies and frameworks that are in place today for race and ethnic equality are the lifeline for ethnic communities and there development, the aspirations of ethnic groups rely imperatively on them working correctly. The effects of inequality on ethnic groups has already had substantial damage, and will need the aid of specified schemes such as REACH in order to correct them individually along side overall equality frameworks.
