"To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights. It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America."
- Patricia Arquette,
Best Supporting Actress, 2015 Oscar Speech
According to Fast Company, some might say that Patricia Arquette's recent Oscar speech bombed due to her narrow focus on only females' right to Equal Pay. However, her actions did spark conversation about the topic -- which I believe was her true intent.
The wage gap is a real thing, and it isn't just affecting affluent Hollywood stars.
While Patricia's speech could have been improved, it is important that the issue of Equal Pay be discussed openly with acknowledgment of facts. Those two simple words can cause major tension in a professional environment, so it's important to frame the topic around equal accomplishments and contributions without inflicting direct accusations on employers. In essence, it is a double-edged sword that will only be effective as a single blade.
See Also: 5 Ways to Negotiate for the Paycheck You Deserve
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