This meme, while very simple, uses several rhetorical devices. Most obviously, this meme expresses logos by using a statistic. According to the National Committee on Pay Equity, “Women earn 81.6 cents for every dollar men earn”. The wage gap for men and women has been an issue long talked about in our society, also know as “equal pay for equal work”. Many feminists have fought for, and continue to fight for equal pay in the workforce. This meme also uses pathos to bring to light the ethical issues involved in not paying woman as much for the same amount of work completed (as men). This appeal to emotion makes people want to stand up and take action against the inequality.
Some might say that an almost 20 cent difference doesn’t amount to anything and is blown out of proportion. However, to put it into perspective, that 18.4 cents adds up to an annual difference in income of $10,194 between men and women, according to the NCPE. Even more, it accumulates a lifetime loss of earnings of $530,000 for non-college educated women and is as high as $800,000 for college educated women.
The intended audience would be corporations and the federal government who have the power to raise wages for women or require that men and women be paid the same amount for the same job description. As women begin to protest more for their rights, change begins to occur. Actions such as going on strike or contacting a local congressman can help move society on the path towards income equality.
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