In 2013 women working full time in California made about 84 cents for every dollar earned by a man, according to Equal Rights Advocates. The pay gap is even larger for women of color — African American women get paid 64 cents and Latina women 44 cents for every white man’s dollar.
That could change — and really should.
Last Tuesday, female lawmakers proposed a law aimed to help get females and males in California equal pay in the workplace. State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, writer of the bill (SB 358), hopes it strengthens protections against pay discrimination and retaliation against female workers who inquire about wages.
This might be the start to equal pay rights for women not just in California, but across the nation.
Ironic enough, this proposal comes on the heels of Patricia Arquette’s acceptance speech at the Oscars on Feb. 22 calling for equal pay for women.
While Arquette’s speech holds meaning, she was the source of a controversial comment as well. In the Oscar’s backstage press room, she added, “It’s inexcusable we go around the world talking about equal rights for women in other countries … and we don’t have equal rights for women in America. The truth is even though we sort of feel like we have equal rights in America, there are huge issues that are at play that really do affect women. It’s time for all…the gay people and people of color that we’ve all fought for to fight for us now.”
Where Arquette went wrong in her statement is that no cause is above or greater than another. Whether it’s LBGTQ rights, fighting for people of color, or women’s rights, all are equally as important. Bottom line is the bill is long overdue. Not only that, but it levels the playing field. The workplace should not discriminate because of gender. A work salary should be performance-based.
