Black history month

[Range_This11]

[spoiler=Speech about double standards warning some strong language]Someone finally said it.

How many are actually paying attention to this?

 

There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, etc. And then there are just Americans.

 

You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction. You call me 'White boy,' 'Cracker,' 'Honkey,' 'Whitey,' 'Caveman' ... and that's OK.

 

But when I call you, [racist term], K***, T**** head, Sand-[racist term], C**** Jockey, Beaner, [grime], or [racist term] ... You call me a racist.

 

You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you, so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?

 

You have the United Negro College Fund.

You have Martin Luther King Day.

You have Black History Month.

You have Cesar Chavez Day.

You have Yom Hashoah.

You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi.

You have the NAACP.

You have BET.

If we had WET (White Entertainment Television) we'd be racists.

If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists.

If we had White History Month, we'd be racists.

If we had any organization for only whites to 'advance' OUR lives we'd be racists.

 

We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that?

 

A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant.

 

If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships you know we'd be racists. There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US. Yet if there were 'White colleges' THAT would be a racist college.

 

In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists.

 

You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.

 

You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.

 

I am proud. But you call me a racist.

 

Why is it that only whites can be racists?

 

 

 

 

I think some of the examples are extreme, but the general idea I agree with.

No one is stopping you from designating a month for your own own ethnic group. If you don't think that learning a little extra about African Americans would give you a fuller understanding of history, even during the shortest month of the year (counting Leap Year Day), then you are choosing to remain ignorant of some important events that improved not just African Americans' lives but everyone's lives. When a person revels in ignorance, then that person becomes intolerant to new ideas. Perhaps it does highlight cultural/ethnic differences, but that does not automatically have to create more tension. The tension comes with the resistance to learning about difference. By what you call being proud, you are creating "us vs them" scenarios; dividing people instead of uniting; viewing differences as something negative. And I do realize that there are people on both sides of the ethnic divide that are guilty of these actions.

[i_love_burritos]

[bleep] you honkies and allyall your pasty cracka asses

 

(happy now?)

 

-

 

I wonder what the blacks in america think of this. Most of you are white so it'd be interesting to see what the other group thinks.

[Nomrombom]

You would think white people would have figured out the WHY CAN'T WE SAY WHITE POWER BUT THEY CAN SAY BLACK POWER?? thing a long time ago.

 

Please explain. Actually curious.

[Ginger_Warrior]

No one is stopping you from designating a month for your own own ethnic group. If you don't think that learning a little extra about African Americans would give you a fuller understanding of history, even during the shortest month of the year (counting Leap Year Day), then you are choosing to remain ignorant of some important events that improved not just African Americans' lives but everyone's lives.

I did that by reading history at college (would be high school in US). I didn't need one month in the year to be dedicated to black history in order to accomplish it. As Maddy said before, BHM is recognised in the UK in October but is seldom ever mentioned. Perhaps if the history you were taught was more relevent to American history, instead of learning about Tudor kings and queens and the Soviets, you wouldn't have this problem.

 

As for those who "couldn't care less" about black history... you think making a month dedicated to the subject so you can shove it down their throats is going to make them care?

[Giordano]

I'm always in favor of adding different perspectives to history teaching. That is, after all, the proper way of studying it. Making a unique month for it just seems to make it get removed from the mainstream school courses though.

[Jaffy1]

Stop talking about racism and it will go away.

Not discussing an existing problem will not make it go away. They should be acknowledged and people should be educated. That said, I do not believe dedicating a month to one particular ethnic minority is the answer. I pretty much agree with the below.

 

In the long run, elevating one ethnic group and giving it a special status hurts relations more than it helps.

 

When it comes to programs attempting to help an ethnic group, usually it ends up hurting them. While I don't feel I have any authority to speak on the subject, I've read several prominent African Americans describe how affirmative action has made them feel inferior by lessening their accomplishments, exactly opposite of what it was intended to do. Logically, I can understand that.

 

The idea of reverse racism was mentioned earlier by someone, which can be argued is just as bad as racism or discrimination based on ethnic group. Elevating any ethnic group over another goes against the goal of mutual respect and equality; black, white, green, yellow, or whatever colour someone may be - they're all Americans, and if anything, that could be stressed.

[obfuscator]

Morgan Freeman does not speak for all blacks. Neither does Al Sharpton, James Brown, or any other famous or influential member of the black community.

 

Of course not. I just posted that video to say I agree with that point made by one person.

 

It looks like a few posters here seem to be using the argument of "every ethnicity should get a month if blacks do!" as a way of simply saying "I don't think black people deserve a month of cultural celebration and historical reflection." I don't doubt this will be denied, but it's easy to see who is just a wee bit prejudiced. If you have to say "I'm not a racist, but..." it usually means whatever follows is probably a little racist.

 

Black people don't deserve a month of cultural celebration and historical reflection. They deserve all the months for that, just like every other race has.

 

There should be absolutely no problem taking ONE month out of the year to recognize the ethnic group that was--BY LAW--oppressed, used, and otherwise completely degraded as human beings for nearly 375 years. As a side note, saying "slavery has been over since the end of the Civil War" means nothing. Neither does "none of us today participated in owning slaves." The mistreatment of African Americans goes much, much deeper than the chattel labor system. Most of our parents (and all of our grandparents) experienced an America that was segregated. Even after the Civil Rights act of 1964, prejudice, inequality, and racism did not disappear. Even today many laws still indirectly (whether or not that is on purpose or not is for another debate) put African Americans and other ethnic groups at a severe disadvantage.

 

I certainly agree blacks and other races are often still discriminated against, and terrible things were done to them in the past. But devoting a month just to a specific ethnic group highlights our differences. When Morgan Freeman says "stop talking about it", I don't think he means "let people get away with it", or "ignore problems with the law", or anything like that. He means "stop thinking of people by the colour of their skin". That is what racism is - judging or classifying someone based on the colour of their skin. If we stop doing that, racism will fix itself - that's the entire point.

 

Instead of moaning, complaining, and trying to conjure up as many reasons why there shouldn't be a Black History Month, why don't we go out and celebrate this month TOGETHER? It's not just for African Americans to celebrate, after all. We should all be celebrating the culture and history of a large portion of Americans and participating in things that are partially or even completely foreign to us. But then again, many people in this country (and a few in this thread) are narcissistic cretins that believe the world will be forever divided on ethnic issues, and that celebrations of ethnicity and culture serve only to highlight tensions and racism. To those of you who truly believe this, I have saved a very special part of my heart that mourns for your limited perspective of the world.

 

EDIT: Also, Ring_World, the historian in me is cringing so badly at your interpretation of "Hispanic history." :mad:

 

I see no reason to celebrate this month together, because it puts one race on a pedestal for a month - which I find quite racist. I've learned a lot about the history of black people in america and the rest of the world, and I haven't needed a specific month to do it. I have tremendous respect for various influential black people (and those of other races) throughout history, year round.

 

The world doesn't have to be forever divided on ethnic issues, but it will be as long as we continue to encourage events like black history month, we will be forever divided. There are plenty of non-racist ways to celebrate culture - for example international day, Caribana, etc. etc. Those celebrate culture; not race. And that's the right way to do it.

 

Also - as an aside on your comment that "no one is stopping you from making a white history month" - you know that's laughably inaccurate. Multiple people attempting to make "Caucasian clubs", or "Caucasian festivals" have been roundly lambasted in the public sphere for their racist intent. And the public sphere is right - Caucasian clubs and Caucasian festivals are racist - but no less so than events like Black history month.

[K4ylan]

i saw quite a few black people. (the term african america is unnecessary, irrevlant and [bleep]ed, I as a non-american have this view - so you probably dont give a shit anyway). but yeah

Oh gosh, I hate when people try to "correct" me when I say Black. Especially since I actually am the legit definition of African-American.

[Range_This11]

 

Morgan Freeman does not speak for all blacks. Neither does Al Sharpton, James Brown, or any other famous or influential member of the black community.

 

Of course not. I just posted that video to say I agree with that point made by one person.

 

It looks like a few posters here seem to be using the argument of "every ethnicity should get a month if blacks do!" as a way of simply saying "I don't think black people deserve a month of cultural celebration and historical reflection." I don't doubt this will be denied, but it's easy to see who is just a wee bit prejudiced. If you have to say "I'm not a racist, but..." it usually means whatever follows is probably a little racist.

 

Black people don't deserve a month of cultural celebration and historical reflection. They deserve all the months for that, just like every other race has.

 

There should be absolutely no problem taking ONE month out of the year to recognize the ethnic group that was--BY LAW--oppressed, used, and otherwise completely degraded as human beings for nearly 375 years. As a side note, saying "slavery has been over since the end of the Civil War" means nothing. Neither does "none of us today participated in owning slaves." The mistreatment of African Americans goes much, much deeper than the chattel labor system. Most of our parents (and all of our grandparents) experienced an America that was segregated. Even after the Civil Rights act of 1964, prejudice, inequality, and racism did not disappear. Even today many laws still indirectly (whether or not that is on purpose or not is for another debate) put African Americans and other ethnic groups at a severe disadvantage.

 

I certainly agree blacks and other races are often still discriminated against, and terrible things were done to them in the past. But devoting a month just to a specific ethnic group highlights our differences. When Morgan Freeman says "stop talking about it", I don't think he means "let people get away with it", or "ignore problems with the law", or anything like that. He means "stop thinking of people by the colour of their skin". That is what racism is - judging or classifying someone based on the colour of their skin. If we stop doing that, racism will fix itself - that's the entire point.

 

Instead of moaning, complaining, and trying to conjure up as many reasons why there shouldn't be a Black History Month, why don't we go out and celebrate this month TOGETHER? It's not just for African Americans to celebrate, after all. We should all be celebrating the culture and history of a large portion of Americans and participating in things that are partially or even completely foreign to us. But then again, many people in this country (and a few in this thread) are narcissistic cretins that believe the world will be forever divided on ethnic issues, and that celebrations of ethnicity and culture serve only to highlight tensions and racism. To those of you who truly believe this, I have saved a very special part of my heart that mourns for your limited perspective of the world.

 

EDIT: Also, Ring_World, the historian in me is cringing so badly at your interpretation of "Hispanic history." :mad:

 

I see no reason to celebrate this month together, because it puts one race on a pedestal for a month - which I find quite racist. I've learned a lot about the history of black people in america and the rest of the world, and I haven't needed a specific month to do it. I have tremendous respect for various influential black people (and those of other races) throughout history, year round.

 

The world doesn't have to be forever divided on ethnic issues, but it will be as long as we continue to encourage events like black history month, we will be forever divided. There are plenty of non-racist ways to celebrate culture - for example international day, Caribana, etc. etc. Those celebrate culture; not race. And that's the right way to do it.

 

Also - as an aside on your comment that "no one is stopping you from making a white history month" - you know that's laughably inaccurate. Multiple people attempting to make "Caucasian clubs", or "Caucasian festivals" have been roundly lambasted in the public sphere for their racist intent. And the public sphere is right - Caucasian clubs and Caucasian festivals are racist - but no less so than events like Black history month.

 

I don't doubt you are well educated and informed on the history--also not narcissistic nor a cretin. But there are many people who are ill informed by choice or lack of exposure. Like I said, having Black History Month will create tension and dissonance because there are and always will be differences between ethnic groups. Ignoring them won't make them go away and neither will dedicating a month to their study. Perhaps I'm too utopian, but I look at it as an opportunity to learn more about the history of a very unique group of people. Maybe that's why I've landed in the history field and love it so much. There is no one that knows the entire history of anything, so having an opportunity to learn more or even become reacquainted with a topic is good to me. Interpretations change over time, events are viewed differently than they were even twenty years ago. The people, places, and time period do not change, but how we view them is always different.

 

There are a number of different months that are used to recognize different ethnic groups: (a full list can be found here)

 

Hispanic Heritage Month

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

American Indian Heritage Month

Irish-American Heritage Month (issued yearly by the President, but not set it stone--has been since 1991)

Women's History Month

[Crocefisso]

It's important to be informed about the past, but dwelling on it and assigning months to certain peoples and eras in history is a waste of money, effort etc.

 

As such, I agree with Morgan Freeman.

[Guest jrhairychest]

[spoiler=Speech about double standards warning some strong language]Someone finally said it.

How many are actually paying attention to this?

 

There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, etc. And then there are just Americans.

 

You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction. You call me 'White boy,' 'Cracker,' 'Honkey,' 'Whitey,' 'Caveman' ... and that's OK.

 

But when I call you, [racist term], K***, T**** head, Sand-[racist term], C**** Jockey, Beaner, [grime], or [racist term] ... You call me a racist.

 

You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you, so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?

 

You have the United Negro College Fund.

You have Martin Luther King Day.

You have Black History Month.

You have Cesar Chavez Day.

You have Yom Hashoah.

You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi.

You have the NAACP.

You have BET.

If we had WET (White Entertainment Television) we'd be racists.

If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists.

If we had White History Month, we'd be racists.

If we had any organization for only whites to 'advance' OUR lives we'd be racists.

 

We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that?

 

A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant.

 

If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships you know we'd be racists. There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US. Yet if there were 'White colleges' THAT would be a racist college.

 

In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists.

 

You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.

 

You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.

 

I am proud. But you call me a racist.

 

Why is it that only whites can be racists?

 

 

This was honestly just laughable and a huge generalization of non-whites as a whole. Half of this doesn't even make sense. I can just picture the angst-filled suburban white kid writing it.

Hmmmmm...........What parts of the quote aren't true?

[Nomrombom]

Range, or anyone who wants to comment - tell me, how do you feel about the television network known as Black Entertainment Television?

 

And then tell me how you would feel about White Entertainment Television.

 

And how do you feel about black pride parades (they happen at least annually in the US)? And white pride parades?

 

 

These things have nothing to do with past events. They have nothing to do with one group being oppressed and another not being oppressed, as you could claim for all the affirmative action things (black scholarship foundations, black advancement programs, etc.). There is no excuse. It's a racial double standard.

[champion]

[spoiler=Speech about double standards warning some strong language]Someone finally said it.

How many are actually paying attention to this?

 

There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, etc. And then there are just Americans.

 

You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction. You call me 'White boy,' 'Cracker,' 'Honkey,' 'Whitey,' 'Caveman' ... and that's OK.

 

But when I call you, [racist term], K***, T**** head, Sand-[racist term], C**** Jockey, Beaner, [grime], or [racist term] ... You call me a racist.

 

You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you, so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?

 

You have the United Negro College Fund.

You have Martin Luther King Day.

You have Black History Month.

You have Cesar Chavez Day.

You have Yom Hashoah.

You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi.

You have the NAACP.

You have BET.

If we had WET (White Entertainment Television) we'd be racists.

If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists.

If we had White History Month, we'd be racists.

If we had any organization for only whites to 'advance' OUR lives we'd be racists.

 

We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that?

 

A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant.

 

If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships you know we'd be racists. There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US. Yet if there were 'White colleges' THAT would be a racist college.

 

In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists.

 

You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.

 

You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.

 

I am proud. But you call me a racist.

 

Why is it that only whites can be racists?

 

 

This was honestly just laughable and a huge generalization of non-whites as a whole. Half of this doesn't even make sense. I can just picture the angst-filled suburban white kid writing it.

Hmmmmm...........What parts of the quote aren't true?

You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you, so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?

that's such a generalization and gives no specifics at all.

 

You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.

again, another baseless generalization.... not to mention that the writer must be obviously deluded if they think that it's just commonly accepted that it's okay for black people to shoot white people and it's okay.

 

Why is it that only whites can be racists?

obviously not true, if some minority is saying that to you then that's their own intellectual problem.

 

 

 

The bulk of the argument is basically just asking "How come black people can say they like being black but white people would be called racist if they said they like being white?" In a perfect world it would be fine if either of these statements were said, and no one would be called racist. But when we're only about 50, 60 years after segregation it's a little bit touchy to say things like "white pride" or to get mad at black people for being proud of their race. Does saying "white pride" mean you're racist? No, not necessarily. Go ahead and say it, if you get called racist, [bleep] it, oh well, you're not, and you're not going to get punished in court if you're not actually being racist (as much as the common internet cynic wants to believe).

 

As for the "Why is there Black Entertainment Television?" thing. Who cares? Black people do tend to have different tastes in TV shows. I know that's not the point you're trying to make, but you don't need White Person TV. If it's called racist for wanting White Entertainment TV then oh well. You're not being racist. I know society is so wrong and you're so misunderstood, but shit like that does not matter.

 

Affirmative action: promotes diversity in universities and such, which can be a very positive thing. I've grown a lot as a person by working with diverse cultures. If everything was 99% white I'd miss out on a lot of learning opportunities. I also see affirmative action as a way to "ease" the black community into the higher education system, since post-slavery and post-segregation, black were extremely disadvantaged as the result of white people. Some day I don't think we'll need affirmative action, at least to the extinct in which we have it today, but I do think it's for the better.

[Nomrombom]

I agree with you on affirmative action. I support it.

 

And we come here to this forum to talk about all this lofty crap because it's the only place people will talk seriously about it. I don't ever bring this up IRL and I rarely think about it. Just a discussion point. Though if I had the opportunity to talk about it IRL I wouldn't say no.

[Range_This11]

Just a side note here, I've heard many times that affirmative action typically benefits white women more than any other group of people. I don't have any sources on this so don't hold me to it.

 

As far as BET, I think it is a great thing. It's an outlet for cultural expression that is designed by blacks, overseen at almost every level by blacks, and packaged uniquely for black viewers. Same goes for pride parades. I think they're great.

 

If someone wants to develop something like that for whites, more power to them. I have no problem with any cultural or ethnic group celebrating their identity in the public sphere. Hell, I even watch BET for the stand up comedians.

[Nomrombom]

http://homespunwisdom.wordpress.com/2011/07/17/white-women-are-the-biggest-beneficiaries-of-affirmative-action-in-america/

 

Plenty of sources for that in the article. Learn something every day.

 

 

 

Hey, what the hell? Why is affirmative action benefiting white women so much? Never thought of white women as oppressed or needing help to get up in the workplace...

[obfuscator]

Just a side note here, I've heard many times that affirmative action typically benefits white women more than any other group of people. I don't have any sources on this so don't hold me to it.

 

As far as BET, I think it is a great thing. It's an outlet for cultural expression that is designed by blacks, overseen at almost every level by blacks, and packaged uniquely for black viewers. Same goes for pride parades. I think they're great.

 

If someone wants to develop something like that for whites, more power to them. I have no problem with any cultural or ethnic group celebrating their identity in the public sphere. Hell, I even watch BET for the stand up comedians.

I'm glad you're in favour of WET, but surely you admit you're in a minuscule minority.

[Range_This11]

I suppose I am. However I don't really see the feasibility of it. We already have a lot of networks that appeal to whites: PBS, CSPAN, Speed Network, Nat Geo. Not that only white people are interested in the programming on those networks or that programming is designed to appeal to whites, but I think it is safe to say many whites gravitate towards those networks.

 

Hey, what the hell? Why is affirmative action benefiting white women so much? Never thought of white women as oppressed or needing help to get up in the workplace...

:shock:

[Nomrombom]

I suppose I am. However I don't really see the feasibility of it. We already have a lot of networks that appeal to whites: PBS, CSPAN, Speed Network, Nat Geo. Not that only white people are interested in the programming on those networks or that programming is designed to appeal to whites, but I think it is safe to say many whites gravitate towards those networks.

 

Hey, what the hell? Why is affirmative action benefiting white women so much? Never thought of white women as oppressed or needing help to get up in the workplace...

:shock:

 

Since about 2000? Women actually make up more of the US workforce than men now. I can't speak to before that.

[Riku3220]

I suppose I am. However I don't really see the feasibility of it. We already have a lot of networks that appeal to whites: PBS, CSPAN, Speed Network, Nat Geo. Not that only white people are interested in the programming on those networks or that programming is designed to appeal to whites, but I think it is safe to say many whites gravitate towards those networks.

 

Hey, what the hell? Why is affirmative action benefiting white women so much? Never thought of white women as oppressed or needing help to get up in the workplace...

:shock:

 

Since about 2000? Women actually make up more of the US workforce than men now. I can't speak to before that.

To be fair, either one or the other has to have more employed. Being exactly at 50% for each would just be annoying as hell to coordinate.

[The Dark Lord]

This pretty much sums up my thoughts:

 

Sure some of us act dumb and shit but so does everyone else. The African American community found comfort in gospel, rap and hip-hop. This holds us together in face of adversity, in face of the devil's evil tricks. Son, the devil is everywhere and only wants discord between the white man, the black man, the yellow man, the red man. The Jew and the gentile. But we can use the healing hands of Jesus Christ and conquer the devil.

 

A wise man indeed. All races just need to come together and forget racism and be happy and not see each other as different, if that makes sense.

[champion]

I suppose I am. However I don't really see the feasibility of it. We already have a lot of networks that appeal to whites: PBS, CSPAN, Speed Network, Nat Geo. Not that only white people are interested in the programming on those networks or that programming is designed to appeal to whites, but I think it is safe to say many whites gravitate towards those networks.

 

Hey, what the hell? Why is affirmative action benefiting white women so much? Never thought of white women as oppressed or needing help to get up in the workplace...

:shock:

 

Since about 2000? Women actually make up more of the US workforce than men now. I can't speak to before that.

...that doesn't mean women are treated or payed equally to men.

[obfuscator]

Women, white or otherwise, are still treated unfairly quite often. I wouldn't say they're the most needy beneficiaries of affirmative action; then again I don't support affirmative action much at all - or at least not in the way it's currently done.

[Ginger_Warrior]

The number of women in senior management remains horrible disproportionate to the number of women in the workforce.[1] There are also problems with the distribution of women across the workforce nationwide. Although there are more male nurses, teachers and cooks than before, the overwhelming majority of people in these occupations are female.[2][3][4] Women are also under-represented in most democratic parliaments.[5]

 

Women are not equal to men in most occupations, and for the kind of paid work women have traditionally relied on, there aren't enough men coming through either.

[Assume Nothing]

Black, White, American, Mexican, whatever. If you're a US citizen, you're American. I don't see the need for a 'black history month' at all. I feel it probably perpetuates the racism - it acts as a reminder that there's (irrelevant) differences in humanity. Why can't we treat each-other as simply human, with the only difference that should separate us to be death?

 

EDIT @above - That argument operates under the assumption that we're all equally competent. Perhaps the figures are distorted by maternity leave affecting experience or education.

 

I understand there's still a discrepancy, but the figures presented probably exaggerate the inequality by comparing figures with something that doesn't represent what women should get.