Equal Pay Is Not Just About Gender Discrimination, It Is About Racism

Like millions of people around the country, the team at CWLC is experiencing grief and rage at the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many other Black women and men.

Today is Mom’s Equal Pay Day. In the United States, Black mothers earn just 50 cents for every dollar the average white dad earns. The average mom earns 20 cents above this amount. Equal pay is not just about gender discrimination, it is about racism.

Black moms are – and have been – on the front lines organizing and advocating to defend their families and communities from racially-motivated violence, abuse by law enforcement, and unfair treatment in the justice system. 

While CWLC fights for the legal rights of women and girls, we must also identify and address the deeply embedded racism in our country. We will look critically at ourselves and our work, engage in the hard conversations, and commit to being anti-racist. There will be no justice as long as Black lives are in danger. 

If you are seeking opportunities to educate yourself and be engaged, consider these resources: 

  • Books: Me and White Supremacy/Layla F. Saad; How to Be Antiracist/Ibrim X. Kendi; White Fragility/Robin DiAngelo
  • Podcasts: The New York Times’ 1619About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge
  • Film/TV: I Am Not Your Negro13thWhen They See Us
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