Article 1 of the Constitution states that “people are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. Article 4 of the 2022 constitutional proposal stated that “People are born and remain free, interdependent and equal in dignity and rights”. Today, the Commission of Experts goes further by proposing that: “Human dignity is inviolable and the basis of law and justice. People are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Their respect and guarantee, is, the first duty of the political community and its legal form of organisation”.
All phrases worthy of admiration and praise, but unfortunately far from the reality of these times in which discrimination is expressed through ill-treatment, violence, unbridled competition and the law of the strongest, which violate people’s dignity on a daily basis. It is not enough to repeat a phrase like a mantra, it must be understood and acted upon.
Human dignity is inherent to the human person. Human dignity implies treating and being treated well, with respect, equality and appreciation, regardless of gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability or other personal or group characteristics. Contrary to the concept of dignity is prejudice.
Girls and boys are born equal in dignity – an unquestionable truth! Another way of putting it is that children are born free of prejudice.
As they develop, prejudices are unfortunately passed on to them by the processes of socialisation, i.e.from interactions with others and from the influence of family, friends, the media and society in general. From an early age, we absorb messages and attitudes from our environment that can perpetuate stereotypes and prejudices.
Socialisation necessarily involves interacting with people who are different from you. It is impossible for everyone to be the same. Societies that evolve the most and are the most creative and innovative are those that are the most diverse, while endogamous societies tend towards stagnation and social breakdown. From another perspective, people are freer in more diverse societies than in those that are more closed.
Exposure to diverse cultures, people and societies is not easy. Because they are a threat to cultural, social, political, religious and moral structures. They force us to question ourselves and to get out of our comfort zone. It is more common to take refuge in prejudice than to be open to valuing diversity.
Many Chilean men and women today feel threatened by so-called identity agendas; they see their ways of life threatened by those movements that tend to deconstruct prejudices and that value the characteristics of these people and groups, as well as ensuring the conditions for good treatment and respect for their rights.
This fear is driving mobilisation to challenge the guiding principle of any education system, which is to ensure compliance with regulations on the right to education, inclusion and equal treatment.
Let us be a brave society that values differences, let us not give in to fear and our prejudices.