Column: Stephanie Specchio

The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce's Director of Marketing and Communications offers this column on fairness. She will provide insights from the Chamber periodically.

SCHUYLER COUNTY, Feb. 11, 2022 -- I’m a stickler for fair. It feels right. It feels kind. It satisfies my need for emotional peace. In reality, though, fairness removes emotion from the equation. In fact, fairness is the epitome of a level playing field -- no special favors, no inside information, no value adds.

How this plays out, though, depends on how we define “fair.” Does it mean every person has the same things? Does it mean every person has access to the same opportunities? Perhaps it means that every person has access to the resources needed to hurdle obstacles standing between them and their goals. Or, does it mean we address the issues that infused challenges in the first place?

The cartoon below depicts three people -- different heights -- trying to reach books on the top shelf. Give them all a box. This equates “fair” with “equal.” Is it effective, though? One person now towers over the shelf, and another still can’t reach.

If we define “fair” as “equitable,” we’ve accomplished our goal: everyone can reach the top shelf. But what about the next time? Defining fair as equitable means that every situation requires review and remediation, which seems unsustainable.

So how do we make “fair” sustainable? If we remove the obstacles once and for all, everyone can reach the proverbial top shelf -- with no interventions necessary. This seems fair. It feels right. It feels kind.

I’m excited to hear more about equity at the Chamber’s upcoming Spark Summit on March 9 (and I hope you’ll join me!). Learn more at tinyrul.com/WGC-Spark.

Photo in text: Stephanie Specchio

For Stephanie Specchio's first column, click here.