#Gooooals!!

            The women's soccer team of America has won three World Cups, four Olympic Gold Medals, are ranked first out of every soccer team in the world, and have "broken the record for the most watched soccer game in the history of America, by men or women," says soccer player Hope Solo. And yet, they earn four times less than the players on the men's soccer team.

            The Daily Show's Hasan Minhaj conducted an interview with a few of the women on the team to better understand the issues they faced.

            He quickly found out that the women were doing way better than the men in their sport. The men have only ever made it to round 16 in the World Series, were ranked 30th out of every soccer team in the world, and lost $2,000 in profit in 2016. The women raised $17,000,000.

            And yet, of the men's team wins a game, they earn $17,000. The women would only earn $1,300. If the men lose a game, the earn $5,000, where as the women would earn nothing. Another disadvantage the women are subjected to is the turf they play on. The women's team is forced to play on AstroTurf, which is something the guys have never had to deal with. The fake grass damages their legs when the slide and dive for the ball, leaving huge bruises and cuts.

            All of this information makes the situation feel as if no one is on the women's side. Fortunately, this is not true. Famous tennis player Billie Jean King has been an active voice for equality since the 70s. She battled Bobby Riggs in 1973 in a Battle of the Sexes tennis match. Her win helped pave the way for equal pay in tennis.

            When talking to Mr. Minhaj in an interview, King brought up the issue of the gender expectations of women in sports. Women are supposed to be grateful to men if they get one crumb, on fraction, of what the men get. But King argues that women, "deserve the cake, the icing, and the cherry on top, too. Just like the boys."

            When asked what the solution was to the gender wage gap problem, King responded by saying "we have to really get behind women any way we can." We need to get the message out that these women are being discriminated against. We need to show our support and take action if we ever hope to make any progress.


There is a brief interview where Gavin McInnis shows up, but that was so stupid, I didn't feel the need to subject you precious darlings to it. Still, for the whole picture, check out the video. (You've been warned!)