Are people equal in human value and essence? What is the evidence for that? And what should be done about the whispers (waswas) that claim Islam discriminates between people on the basis of color?

In the ruling of Islam, all people are equal; they are not differentiated by lineage, wealth, color, or race. Rather, their distinction lies in the faith and piety firmly rooted in their hearts, as Allah the Almighty said: "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted" (Al-Hujurat:13). And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Indeed, there is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab, nor for a white person over a black person, nor for a black person over a white person, except by piety."