One problem I have with this meme is the phrase “access to the same opportunities�. In the UK the phrase is “equal opportunity�. Employers often have that phrase somewhere in the company literature or below their logo.
Whist the sentiment sounds fine in practice it glosses over the problem. This idea is very close to a meme perpetuated by Tony Blair. For example it means students can access the same level of debt to gain a degree accept of course the children of higher net worth parents tend to not need the debt or tend to have a more assured route into higher paying careers. Students from poorer backgrounds the debt burden is a greater risk as they are less assured of a well paid career. So “access to the same opportunities� is like the picture on the right accept the kid has to pay for each box They are standing on, or maybe a third picture is needed with a the short kid standing on three boxes he has paid for but his view is blocked because the fence is higher for him.
The sentiment that different histories may create barriers is apt, but I think once that idea is divorced from the notion of equality the idea is easily diverted into policy that still manage to reinforce social injustice. And so much depends on the what counts as equity. It it equity the short kid has to pay for their extra box? I think not , but that is how I see this meme playing out in practice.