The Write Way

Equal Pay for Equal Work

A story I heard last week left me so mystified I found myself checking the calendar. I wanted to make sure this was really the 21st century and the year was really 2007. It was hard to tell from the story I read.

The article came from the sports pages oddly enough and it had to do with Wimbledon and the pay received for men and women. Just last week, the classy folks at Wimbledon finally decided to give the same amount of prize money to the women's and men's champion.

Gee and it only took them, what, 30+ years?

According to several news reports, Wimbledon blazed the trail for Open tennis in 1968 and began the practice of paying women less money from the very beginning. Sure, over the years the gap between the genders has narrowed but get real, why was there a gap in the first place?

Three-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams said it best, "I am disappointed that the home of tennis is sending a message to women across the world that we are inferior," Williams said. Amen to that!

And so after stinging words from Williams and heavy lobbying from Tennis legends like Billie Jean King and Chris Evert, along with British politicians who voiced their concerns about the practice, Wimbledon finally caved in.

It's ridiculous that in 2007 it takes lobbying, pressure and well, down right embarrassment to get an establishment like Wimbledon to treat men and women equally. Wimbledon should have been a leader in such a forum. And Venus is right, the message you send is that women aren't as important, that their contribution to the sport is somehow worth less than a man's. How do you think that makes young girls feel - girls who are already grappling with self-image and self-esteem issues?

It isn't just about the prize money. Unequal pay is like saying as a woman, you just aren't as valued or needed. Believe me, there are a lot of tasks that would go undone were it not for women. Besides, how can you justify paying a woman less to do the exact same thing the man making more is doing. I mean, do they swing the racket differently or something?

I hope that women and men will read one of the many articles written about the Wimbledon equalized pay issue to their daughters, nieces and granddaughters. I hope they will explain the deeper meaning. It shows that even in 2007, when we've come so far, we still have a very long way to go, and while I am happy for the progress, as a woman, it still makes me sad. 

Sounds Like A Good Idea... Right?

This week I decided to give you an update on how things are going with my business. I've had a few highs and one definite low. 

Let's start with the highs, it makes me feel better. I attended a networking event and picked up a client or two and I did a few small jobs from some websites where I've posted my credentials. Things seemed to be going well, and then...

One of my clients gave me a call to thank me for my work and to find out how I wanted to receive payment. She also had a suggestion for me, "take a look at your website" she said.

Weeks earlier, on the suggestion of a colleague I went to a site that would host my web pages for free in exchange for allowing advertisers to put up small ads and banners. You know, you've been to a site where there may be a small ad on the side about working from home, funding for college, home loans, etc.  I figured, sounds like a good idea right? WRONG!

Turns out one of the ads they included was an ad from the site-hoster about how you can add free video to your website. Some of the sample video shown was rather tacky and not something you would want a client to see. My client was kind enough to let me know, but there's no telling how many others saw the ad. The ads rotate so some may have seen it, some may not have. It had to be my lowest day. But it did teach me a lesson.

Even though I'm still in the beginning stages of formalizing my business, I can't afford to take short cuts. It's better to have no website than to have the catastrophe I just endured. It took the wind out of my sails but I'm surviving. It's a mistake, the first of many I am sure. This has also taught me that if I'm going to make my business grow, it's no longer just about how well I write, it's the entire package.

So I am taking my punches in stride. I've deactivated the website and will wait until I can get a quality site (I'm no web designer) that's advertisement free!

I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, if you have any war stories from your small business adventures I'd love to hear them - it will let me know that I'm not alone and that there's still hope for my success. - Until next time!

The Grammys and the President of the United States

I've successfully stayed away from any talk of the Iraq War, but after watching the Grammys last night I've decided that it's the perfect time to weigh in on one part of the War issue.

Last night the Dixie Chicks won three of the coveted awards at the Grammys including Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Their song, Not Ready to Make Nice expresses their feelings over the way they've been treated since one of the group members expressed her feelings about President Bush.

About three years ago, the group's lead singer, Natalie Maines ruffled quite a few feathers when she said she was ashamed that the President was from her home state of Texas.  She received death threats and country music fans protested and threatened to turn off their radios if stations played Dixie Chicks music.

Huh?

I am not a fan of President Bush; I voted for the other guy (heck, I'm not even a country music fan). And perhaps some would say that my own feelings may have a lot to do with the way I view Maines' comments, but c'mon, death threats?  We in America have to decide which side of the fence we want to be on.  How can we embrace the concept of freedom of speech and then, the minute someone says something we don't agree with, threaten to kill them?  Deciding not to listen to Dixie Chicks music is one thing, taking the time to write a letter with the exact time and location you plan to kill Maines is something quite different.

I oppose the war and I think President Bush was less than honest when he asked Congress to authorize going to war - because of that, thousands of Americans have died.  But I don't wish harm to come to those who disagree with my opinion.  Just as I have a right to oppose the war, they have the right to agree with it.  What ever happened to good old-fashioned differences of opinion? It's what makes life exciting. When did it turn violent?  It's almost as if any opposition to the war or the President is seen as well, un-American. But how can that be? This land is full of different cultures, races, ethnic groups, you name it. There are bound to be different views.

Ok, let's try putting it into perspective in this way.  Anybody still talking about Michael Richards? Remember him -the comedian who played Krammer on Seinfeld who used the "N" word during a stand up routine as though it was just another adjective? There was outcry at first, but no death threats. Now, it's a distant memory, and he's still working as a stand up comic. Yet, almost three years later people just can't forget what Maines had to say. According to 60 Minutes, the song is only number #38 on the Billboard Charts because many still refuse to support the group. And she is still receiving death threats. Funny how differently the two situations are viewed, isn't it?

Whether you agree with her or not, this country was founded on allowing her the right to express her self, even if it means saying she isn't a fan of George Bush. She didn't break any laws or threaten the President's life, she simply said she just doesn't particularly like the guy; many have said much worse and I am sure many more will.  If you want to boycott their music, go ahead, but I don't understand how people can't see that resorting to death threats is much worse than Natalie Maines wishing the President was from Nebraska.

Football as a History Lesson

As most of you know, I normally update my blog once on Mondays. But this week there was just too much to say! So, you get two blogs this week. I just couldn't resist!

As an African American, I am beaming with pride. After 41 Super Bowls, a black head coach takes home football's greatest prize. Coach Tony Dungy was truly exceptional last night as he talked about his faith and how the win was not only an achievement for his race, but for his faith - two black head coaches who were also Christians, showing the world that you can be successful without all of the yelling, screaming or profanity. And while Coach Smith wasn't victorious, he too has much to celebrate. His part in the history of Super Bowl XLI (41) can't be denied.

Even with all of that, there's still one more reason last night's game meant so much to me. As a graduate of a Historically Black College (HCBU), I love it when HCBUs are highlighted and last night, my alma mater's band, Florida A&M University's Marching 100, took center stage, performing with Prince.

Last night was so much more than a game for me. It was a testament to how much we have achieved as African Americans and how far we've come. A few years ago, black head coaches were unheard of in the NFL. During a month that recognizes the achievements of African Americans, how could I not stop and comment? My children watched last night's game, not just because they like football, but because it was monumental - a history lesson in a football game, who would have guessed it?

Like many young African American boys, my son dreams of being a football player (he thinks he can just go from college to any NFL team he chooses, he's only six). But I am working to expand that dream, I want him to know he can do it all, there are still many barriers to breakdown - I'd say my son's name, C. Thompson, NFL Commissioner has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

No Matter Your Size...

I recently had a conversation with a close girlfriend that I just couldn't wait to write about. Since she was in her early twenties, she's had an on again off again relationship with the father of her son who is now in third or fourth grade. Recently he took her and their son out for dinner. She was excited as he seems to be finally getting is life together. She put on what she thought was a great looking outfit and waited for him to arrive.

But the comment he made about her appearance when he got there wasn't at all what she expected. He told her she'd gained a bit too much weight for the top she was wearing. She was shocked of course and protested that she had been about the same size for the last few years. To that, he told her that she needed to work on her mid-section, you know, "loose some weight in your stomach," he said. This, from a man who's about 50 pounds overweight.

His comment was typical of what goes on in our society; women who may have a few pounds they could stand to lose aren't regarded as attractive or desirable. Recently Tyra Banks was forced to defend her 30-pound weight gain since leaving the modeling scene. But a man with a few pounds to lose can still be regarded as sexy and attractive, and the weight often comes without mention. Why is that?

Comments like the one he made to my friend are exactly the kinds of remarks that lead many women to eating disorders and drastic measures to be thin.  My friend for example, was completely unable to eat at dinner and has been conscious of everything she's put in her mouth since then.

According to most reports, more than half of the population is at least slightly overweight and many are obese.  So, it stands to reason, most of us have little room to comment on the weight of others.  How much you weigh should have nothing to do with your talent, ability or beauty. Jennifer Hudson is proof of that. They thought she was too fat to have the look they wanted on American Idol, now she's an awarding winning actress with an Oscar nomination. And it's true of my friend. She is a strong, beautiful young woman raising her son virtually on her own. To me, no matter how much she weighs, THAT is beautiful.

I hope that some day society will take a hard look at beauty and remember to include everyone, fat, skinny, tall, short, light, dark - whatever, it can all be beautiful.  Until then, here's to every woman, no matter your size, doing what it takes to raise your children, have a successful career, build healthy relationships, and so much more. And here's to my friend, no matter your size, I admire you. You go girls!