Equality Now!

[Professor Walsh]

Joss Whedon on Equality: Equality is not a concept. It is not something we should
be striving for. It is a necessity. Equality is like gravity. We need it to stand on this
earth as men and women, and the misogyny that is in every culture is not a true part
of the human condition. It is life out of balance and that imbalance is sucking something
out of the soul of every man and woman who is confronted with it. We need
equality…now.

(source)

Even if a lot, perhaps even most, members of this board are familiar with Equality Now, I know I wasn't when I first joined. If you are not familiar this organisation for women's rights that Joss Whedon supports, I suggest that you check it out. www.equalitynow.org

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoEZQfTaaEA[/ame]

It's important. The world needs equality. Kinda now.

 

[prophecygrrl]

I love Joss's Equality Now speech. Especially what he says about it as a necessity, because that is just so completely true.

I have issues with Joss's feminism (and with Joss himself, sometimes), but here's one of the things I love about him- the ability to inspire others. it's really awesome just how much money Whedon fans have raised for Equality Now...over half a million dollars now, I think? I mean, holy cow. That's amazing. And in the name of equality- even better. 😀

 

[white avenger]

I have no problem whatsoever with the concept of equality when it actually applies, but having it forced into a situation where it doesn't apply is ridiculous. It took me 5 years of hard work and study to reach the position of Journeyman in my chosen profession. Having a member of a minority group given the same job just so that my company could show how they support "equal rights" is simply wrong. If my qualifications require a specific amount of experience and time in apprenticeship as qualifications for a promotion, the same requirements should apply to anyone seeking that position. THAT is true equality.

 

[Professor Walsh]

It took me 5 years of hard work and study to reach the position of Journeyman in my chosen profession. Having a member of a minority group given the same job just so that my company could show how they support "equal rights" is simply wrong. If my qualifications require a specific amount of experience and time in apprenticeship as qualifications for a promotion, the same requirements should apply to anyone seeking that position. THAT is true equality.

Absolutely. I would never recommend that an unqualified person should get a job that requires qualifications in the name of equality. However, I think that a lot of places in the world incentives can be used to stimulate companies to hire qualified personnel that differs from the norm in that particular niche.

 

[Skanky Vamp]

I am against affirmative action, but I am pro equal right employment. It just seems to make the most logical sense to everyone involved.

 

[prophecygrrl]

Isn't Equality Now about women's rights? I don't see what it has to do with affirmative action...women aren't a minority group, LOL. Pretty sure we're actually in the majority of the population (51-52% or something like that?), and when it comes to jobs, we'll still get paid a significant amount less for the same work.

 

[prophecygrrl]

Scobro agrees: Affirmative action is about women as well.. I was responding moreso to the WA post a few above mine.

Right, my brain was still in racial affirmative action mode. That's usually what I think of when I see 'affirmative action'.

Miromurr, I just clicked on the link you posted about divorce...WTF? I didn't even know divorce was a political issue in other countries, but honestly, what Camilleri said was just disgusting. That doesn't even make any sense. Even if a couple is not legally divorced, can't they still be in relationships with other people? Cause in that case, the argument that abusers will be able to remarry and abuse other families is just incredibly stupid. And here's a radical idea- how about we actually punish people guilty of domestic violence/abuse instead of forcing the victims to carry the burden? Blergh.

 

[Goby]

I have no problem whatsoever with the concept of equality when it actually applies, but having it forced into a situation where it doesn't apply is ridiculous. It took me 5 years of hard work and study to reach the position of Journeyman in my chosen profession. Having a member of a minority group given the same job just so that my company could show how they support "equal rights" is simply wrong. If my qualifications require a specific amount of experience and time in apprenticeship as qualifications for a promotion, the same requirements should apply to anyone seeking that position. THAT is true equality.

With all due respect, your rant really bothered me. We have lived with discrimination for 6,000 years, and it's time to change it. And it's incredibly difficult to do in a capitalist society. I have no idea of the specifics, but it sounds like a minority was promoted quicker than a regular person (sarcasm intended). And we're talking about the South, right? A place where true equality has been absent for a long time.

There is absolutely no way we will have true equality in the United States without the Federal Government's help.