Did you know that a Latina makes 53 cents per dollar a white man earns?
For years, society has valued women and people of color far less than
men and white people. Until 1913, women were not even allowed to vote.
Their opinion did not matter, as it was perceived that the man, if
married held the power to make decisions on behalf of the families.
During world war two when women entered the job force in droves to
support the war effort and their families they were paid less for the
same type of work than the men who were off at war.
Equal payday is a sad reminder that we as women continue to get paid
less for the same work as our male counter parts. However, Latinas continue to get paid even less.
In my experience a s a working woman, I have experienced pay inequity. I
have seen first hand how some employers value white men more than
Latinas. I have seen first hand how the barriers that are in place to
addressing pay inequity affect a woman in combating discrimination.
In a previous job, I was working as a bilingual program coordinator.
My primary responsibilities were to make connections with schools,
educate faculty and youth and promote the organizations programs.
However, I soon found out that the white man who had my same job,
started the job two months after I did, was getting paid $10,000 more
than I was. I believe this was due to several factors:
Men are nurtured to demand compensation for their value. Women, and
especially women of color are told by society and culture that we should
not ask for money and be grateful for what we get.
Employers place barriers to prevent employees from discussing their
pay with each other to avoid having to pay each person equally.
In addition to these factors, the law that governs our nation states
that it is illegal to pay some one less because of a protected class,
like being a woman or being a person of color. If it is illegal, why
then are we not able to achieve pay equity?
Because when socially devalued individuals fight to be acknowledged
for their true worth, the argument, the court cases, the discrimination
claims fail. When Women are paid less, they don’t have the same
opportunities as their male counterparts to care for their families, pay
for health care, education, daily needs. Women who are often the
caregivers of the family must work longer and harder to be able to
provide the same as men. Today on Equal pay, we must stand and shout for
equity. We must declare that today and everyday we will not tolerate
discrimination. We will not accept less. We will demand wages that match
our worth…. because we are worth it.
Lorena Garcia
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Check out our blogs below about experiences with comprehensive sexuality education and why reproductive justice is important. Click on "Read More."
RH Reality Check and Mom's Rising blogs: Can Latinos Change the Conversation on Abortion to Focus on
Respect, Compassion, Fairness and Justice? by Lorena Garcia, 1/25/2012
Can Latinos change the conversation around abortion?
Let’s hope so.
And let’s hope political leaders and candidates are
listening.
The first quarter of 2012 has come to a close. As we sit and reflect on
the victories, challenges, and growth over the last three months, we
can’t help but continue to be grateful for the immense support of
COLORistas like you. Without you, our goals would not come to fruition. I
would like to take a moment and let you know what we have been up to.
Internally COLOR has undergone ongoing structural changes to establish
the most effective and efficiently running organization. It is our
commitment to you, our supporters that wecreate and
implement more efficient and sustainable systems internally to ensure
that time and funds are used effectively towards our work in the
communities we serve.
Your support and donation will help us to continue to do this work. Your
donation will help us reach more young people. And help COLOR’s message of
reproductive justice reach more eyes and ears. Thank you for your ongoing
support.