Everybody?s talking about the upcoming Equal Opportunities Act that government is proposing to introduce. It sure is a good thing and high time as well. But as MPs constantly say in Parliament, there?s not much sense in introducing and adopting legislation if it does not get properly implemented. Over and above, the government?s role, to provide adequate facilities for the proper implementation of legislation, it is our role as citizens of this country, for whose benefit bills are introduced, to make sure we are ready for them and provide the necessary space to bring them in our everyday lives.

The Sexual Discrimination Act won?t do much good if people don?t start reporting offences. Innumerable laws for the protection of children won?t help much if attitudes don?t change. The Domestic Violence Bill won?t result in fewer women being beaten up, if the mentality doesn?t change. Likewise, the lack of legislation allowing for abortion won?t change much to the reality of things.

The Equal Opportunities Act will not mean people will be treated more equally. And before people start blaming the government when they realize the legislation has failed to produce results, they better start taking a good look at themselves in the mirror. Our society - like many others by the way ? is cursed with the big H word. Hypocrisy. What equal opportunities are we talking about? We think we deserve to be treated the same way as every other citizen of this country? Really? I have a question for you ? how many people that we meet in everyday life, do we think are our equals? There?s no need to answer. It would bring yet more untruths.

The trouble is, this country is so divided that it would be funny, if it weren?t so pathetic. And we can?t keep blaming the politicians for it, though they most certainly have a lot to answer for this fragmented society.

From the day we are born, we are taught that we are different. Goodness, the Constitution - Supreme - categorizes us. According to its Founding fathers, there are four categories of Mauritians: Hindus, Muslims, those of Chinese origin and the General population. The funny thing is there isn?t even any logic to this madness. Whereas those whose forefathers came from China are differentiated on the basis of their cultural and ancestral origin, the rest is differentiated on the basis of their religions. And those of the ?general population? who have converted have a problem even though the ?Chinese? seem to be given some freedom in choosing their religion.

This most basic of categorization tells us one thing - we are not equal. We could pretend - this is what most people do. Because we think we are different, we are more prone to prejudice and it has all become a way of life. ?The Mauritian way of life as per the Constitution?. And, of course, we are all united. Give us a break and let?s cut the crap. We want equal opportunities? Charity begins at home.