Equity vs. Equality - FINA's Ban on Soul Cap

Last week FINA (the international swimming organization that oversees all aquatic sports) announced that they would not allow Soul Caps (caps made specifically for people with “thick, curly, and voluminous hair”) to be worn by swimmers in the Olympics. Their reasoning...that Soul Caps don’t fit the “natural form of the head” and “the athletes competing at the international events never used, neither require to use, caps of such size and configuration". Maritza Mclendon said FINA’s decision showed that the sport still has a structural problem giving underrepresented groups a voice in decision-making. “This is yet another prime example of systemic racism,” McClendon said. “The reason for rejecting is not a technical reason or a timing issue, but subjective, and that’s not right.

We agree that any decision that targets people of color and further disenfranchises them from the sport of swimming is not ok. But, it also has us wondering, what is natural or normal? And if we all stuck with the status quo, where would we be in this life? It highlighted the need for many of us to start to recognize that indeed we are not all the same and that means we need to be treated with equity. What’s the difference between equity and equality? Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Here’s a full example with pictures for easy understanding! It’s important to note that after drawing A LOT of criticism about this decision, FINA is reviewing their new rule, but in the meantime, the coaching staff wants to remind you to be whatever your “normal” is. Be loud, be shy, be silly, be fierce, be colorful, be subdued, be with big hair, be with no hair, be whatever YOU want to be and we will be there with full support behind you.