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ON EQUALITY, MATHWISE AND OTHERWISE PART 2
WHAT BEGAN yesterday at SimanaitisSays as a math discussion takes a decidedly cultural turn today. The equality symbol “=” joins two things that are of the same value. And this goes for people as well.
Let’s March Together. The “not equal to” symbol, “≠,” is attributed to Leonard Euler, Swiss mathematician who lived from 1701 to 1783. I also included him on my sign for the 2017 March for Science—Fullerton, California.
One side of my sign is self-explanatory; the other side shows Euler and what’s often considered the most beautiful equation in mathematics: Euler’s Identity.
The Power of Equality. The equality symbol has become recognized around the world in representing the equality of people. Here are several variations of its use, alas, not without controversy.
The Human Rights Campaign logo, first appearing in 1995.
The Human Rights Campaign, with more than 3 million members and supporters, is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer civil rights organization in the country. HRC evolved from the Human Rights Campaign Fund, founded in 1980 primarily to support pro-LGBTQ candidates.
Its logo came from the marketing and design firm Stone Yamashita. Ironically, its boxed equality symbol appears to have protected the HRC from less than charitable objection.
The National Urban League logo, first used by the organization in 1968.
The National Urban League, initially the National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, was established in 1910. Twice in 2016, the NUL issued “cease and desist” complaints concerning its logo. One complaint was against Equality Florida Inc., an LGBTQ-rights group established in 1999.
Above, the Equality Florida logo, as it appeared as recently as April 2015. Below, as the logo appears today.
Another NUL action back in 2016 was against the United Nations. Ironically, the UN’s logo was devised in support of its “Global Goal 10, Reducing Inequalities” program.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals poster from 2019. Image from forbes.com, September 26, 2019.
Note as well the United Nation’s Goal 5, which conveys another powerful message using the “=” symbol.
We’re all in this together, people—and things are going to come right! ds
© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2020
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