Jack White is about to take part in a collaboration of a different kind. In a really exciting move, White has been named as one of the 45 members of a new local council that will focus on bridging the gap for gender equality.
Thanks to Jack White, musician and business owner, for joining our Council on Gender Equity. @thirdmanrecords pic.twitter.com/rVL8W3Sen0
— Megan Barry (@MayorMeganBarry) July 13, 2016
At a press conference with Nashville’s mayor Megan Barry, White spoke about the issue in a powerful speech. White spoke about the regulations his record label, and store Third Man Records has put forward in order to ensure that the minimum wage is the same for all his employees, no matter their gender, and encouraged other businesses to do the same.
“It is embarrassing that in 2016 there are any differences in benefits or wages between genders in our society. gender equity is something that should’ve been solved a century ago worldwide, and it is sad that we even need to address it. If the person does the work, the benefits of doing that work, should be equal among all human beings,” he says.
“As owner of the record label third man records, with locations in both Nashville and Detroit, I am proud to say that since 2013 all employees of my record label have had a minimum wage of 15 dollars an hour, regardless of gender.”
He also brought up the importance of paid parental leave for expecting mothers and fathers. He says Third Man Records ensures new mothers are given six months paid parental leave, while fathers can have three.
“Nothing is more important than a new life and new soul being brought into the world, and newborn parents should not have to worry about anything but the health and welfare of their child. If my small company can enact these ideas, than so can McDonalds and General Motors,” he says.
All 45 members of the Nashville Council will be involved in an innovative where they will analyse the gender equality within the Nashville area. They will then deliver “data-informed recommendations and advice to address systemic differences in benefits and opportunities that might be unfairly provided to one gender but not another,” as reported in The Tennessean.
This morning we are coming together to discuss an important challenge we face as a diverse city pic.twitter.com/9PMC1dYSFP
— Megan Barry (@MayorMeganBarry) July 13, 2016
“All human beings on this planet, and in this society that we live in deserve to be treated the same. they deserve to be treated the same in their social lives, and in their financial and business careers as well,” White says.
The speech was posted on his Facebook page for all to see. Read it in full below:
Read more: Artists speak out about sexism in the music industry
Image: Pitchfork