Not long ago, U.S women's soccer teammates Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Hope Solo filed a wage discrimination complaint against the U.S Soccer Federation. Wage discrimination has been an ongoing problem in the U.S, especially in professions where women and men are doing the same amount of work, but yet men get more recognition for that field. It is undoubtedly absurd that even though the Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963, that in 2015-2016, gender discrimination is still a problem.
It wasn't until 1970's that women's soccer started gaining momentum in most countries. It is clear that despite all the strides women have accomplish in the years since soccer was no longer deemed a man's sport, that somehow men are more valued than women- no matter their records.
Last week, a federal judge ruled that until the Summer Olympics is over, the women's soccer team would not be allowed to strike due to "being bound by a no-strike provision from its 2005-12 collective bargaining agreement". Moreover, the soccer federation warns that a strike from the women's soccer could result in withdrawal from the Olympic and that will in turn result in damages that could hurt their careers, and damage women's soccer.
In these screenshots obtained from the NYtimes, the women's U.S soccer team's claims have foundations, and their right to strike couldn't be more just. If the U.S women's soccer didn't stand up against something that has deep roots in gender inequality, then what would it say about women in general? They are not greedy, selfish, or ungrateful. In fact they are far from that. The disgrace placed on those who want equal pay, has gone on too long, and without basis.
Although for now, the judge denied them their strike in the face of lose the chance to go to Rio, their fight for justice wasn't extinguished the moment of the shattering verdict.