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- August 6, 2019
- 2:17 am
USWNT
Will Cain, Ryan Hollins and Charly Arnolt discuss the USWNT’s call for equal pay while celebrating their second-consecutive World Cup win.
How has the USWNT’s fight for equal pay impacted the conversation about gender inequality?
Pay Equality at the Forefront of the USWNT Parade | First Take
The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) have been blazing trails on the pitch for decades, but their recent World Cup win in France has brought attention to off-field issues – namely, the disparity in pay between the men’s and women’s teams. This was evident at the USWNT parade in New York City, where pay equality was at the forefront of discussions.
The USWNT has been a model of excellence in the world of soccer, with four World Cup titles, four Olympic gold medals and seven CONCACAF championships to their name. However, despite their success, a pay gap between the men’s and women’s teams remains. This issue gained global attention during the World Cup when it was revealed that the women’s team earns significantly less than the men’s team, despite outperforming them in international competitions.
The USWNT parade was a celebration of the team’s World Cup win and a platform to push for equal pay. Megan Rapinoe, the team’s star forward and outspoken advocate for equal pay, took the stage to deliver a message to the crowd.
“We have to be better,” Rapinoe said. “We have to love more, hate less. We’ve got to listen more and talk less. It’s the responsibility of everyone to make the world a better place.”
She continued, “I think the fans did an amazing job this tournament of standing behind us. We can’t do anything without you guys. I mean, we can, but we don’t want to. We want to share this with you. So, shout-out to the fans.”
Following her speech, Rapinoe led the crowd in a chant of “equal pay” as fans waved banners and signs advocating for pay equality. The chant echoed throughout the parade route, highlighting the importance of this issue to the USWNT and their fans.
The USWNT’s fight for equal pay is not only a matter of fairness but also a matter of respect. The team’s success should not be undervalued, and they should receive the same level of compensation as their male counterparts. The argument that the pay gap is justified by the men’s team generating more revenue simply doesn’t hold up when looking at the US Soccer Federation’s own financials, which show that the women’s team generated more revenue in the years following their 2015 World Cup win.
The USWNT has not only been a force on the pitch but also a movement for social justice. Their actions and advocacy have prompted a national conversation about pay equality and have inspired girls and women around the world to pursue their dreams regardless of gender barriers.
The USWNT parade in New York City was a historic moment for the team and for women’s sports as a whole. Their fight for equal pay will continue, and it’s up to all of us to join them in ensuring that gender inequality is a thing of the past.
