Equal opportunities

As I write, in the Chamber of Deputies the discussion and possible approval of a reform to the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Power of the Federation (TEPJF) is in suspense that would limit its power to, among other things, promote affirmative actions that give opportunities to members minority groups to access power: that women, for example, can have the same number of deputies as men; or that today it is a woman who presides over the INE. Of course it is ironic, not to say lamentable, that the most equal legislature in history (so it is announced) votes to limit the instance that made it possible via its affirmative action mandates. It is worth emphasizing that without the vote of women, no constitutional reform is possible. A lot of legislative blah blah blah about “breaking the macho pact”, but now that they have the possibility of doing so in their hands, they hesitate. The rights conquered need a constant defense.

Affirmative action policies are an instrument to repair unjust inequalities; a vehicle for equality, embodied in the constitution, to be real. Let’s think about it this way: we all have the right to education, on paper. The issue is that women, those who identify as members of indigenous peoples, members of the black community, and those of the LGBTQ+ community have fewer opportunities to enjoy this right (and many others). It is in such a context, making rights and opportunities real, that policies aimed at equalizing become deeply relevant: it is a matter of justice.

The disparity of opportunities is old. Mexican society requires many years of affirmative action policies to achieve equal opportunities that allow everyone to lead a full and happy life.

The left should be the main promoter of such policies that make abstract rights real. Members of minority (but not minority) groups should continue the battle to end undeserved privileges and not align their vote with those who tend to reverse equalizing policies. Let us never forget the case of the “juanitas”, women who won elected positions but who agreed to resign to make way for a man: infamous.

Unfortunately, there are those who think that affirmative action policies are not necessary, that it is enough to capture rights and that people, in free competition, reach or lose privileged positions on their own merit. However, without equal opportunities, this game of merit is just pantomime, there is no merit in gaining privileges in a contest where some have all the instruments to win and the others, the majority, only have very heavy ballasts on their backs. Without equal opportunities, the discourse of merit is a vile deception.

Hopefully the representatives of the minority groups that will vote in the Chamber of Deputies stop the aberration proposed by their leaders, that they become aware of the power they have and use it to transform the unjust rules that govern the reality of our country; that they use the opportunities that affirmative action policies have placed in their hands; May your position serve to change the lives of those you represent for the better and not just to line your pockets.

Twitter: @munozoliveira