The Meaning of Equality
Readings:
DuBois, Reconstruction and the Battle for Womens Suffrage
Hoff, Masculinity of US Constitutionalism
Terkel, Scalia: Women Dont have constitutional protection
Jones, Black Womens 200 Year Fight for the Vote
Hoff (The Masculinity of US Constitutionalism) suggests that the concept of equality is itself contested. On p. 25 she writes: Women are discovering that a raised consciousness about equal treatment and liberation is quite different from having a changed consciousness about equitable treatment and emancipation when it comes not only to analyzing court decisions but also to understanding womens perceptions of themselves and their needs in any particular time period. Such terms as equity, progress, liberation, justice, happiness, and emancipation have yet to be redefined by women for women
.In essence, therefore, women can only be emancipated when they are finally accorded equity-justice-not simply equality under the law, although equality is a precondition for equitable justice.
Women should be equal to men under the law.
To sort out your own views on the questions raised by the equality-difference debate, write the above sentence five times, each time substituting one of the following definitions for the term equal to:
identical to
complementary to
similar to
comparable to
indistinguishable from
Which sentence makes the most sense to you? How would you defend your choice?
Post your choice for a synonym for equal to and write a paragraph describing why you think it is the most reasonable or logical choice. You should refer to Hoffs article as you structure your response. Focus on Hoffs article, but you may also find the short articles by DuBois and Terkel useful. Post your own response by Wednesday night (11:59 pm). Then respond to at least one of your classmates who has chosen a different synonym than you did. Ask a question or argue with his/her conclusion. Do try and respond to a post that has not yet been asked a question. Note: This discussion closes Friday night at 11:59.
You must have your original post and one response to receive credit for this assignment.