Equal Means Equal

Equal Means Equal has been described as an unflinching look at the current state of gender inequity, and it truly is unflinching. It's powerful and emotionally raw, exposing the nefarious webs of discrimination against women in an extremely well organized and pointed manner. The most poignant and hard hitting interview of the film is one of a young rape victim describing how she had to walk down her street, bloody, while people stared and no one asked her if she needed help or if she was okay. Gender based discrimination and violence are so everyday and expected, we almost expect this type of treatment for victims and survivors. This should be required viewing for students and legislators.

I had the opportunity to see Equal Means Equal while I was visiting NYC this past weekend. This film raises critical questions about the status of women in our society. A compelling argument is presented to highlight why it is necessary for women and men alike to challenge the absence of female protection and recognition under the US Constitution. By addressing multiple facets of our daily lives, Kamala Lopez draws the viewer into the manner in which all things are connected. Until one area is improved, the others will remain adversely affected. Until we shed what has been the tradition of our nation and redefine our culture, we will continue to see gaps in equity. A historical review shows what few knew and understood, namely the Equal Rights Amendment was a nonpartisan issue. As audience members view this documentary, I hope they can shed their partisan lens and instead view it through a human lens. Is it really too much to ask that Equal Means Equal?

Kamala Lopez and crew do a wonderful job on this 90 minute documentary illustrating the status of women (pay inequity, sexual harassment and domestic violence in the workplace and at home, poverty, the sex trade, and the erosion of reproductive rights to expose a system that repeatedly fails women. Over 80 people are interviewed in this award-winning documentary (2016 Traverse City Film Festival) being released September 6th, 2016.

It is fast paced and the graphics are excellent - particularly those depicting the wage disparity based on race that women in the workplace experience. Other statistics are dis-aggregated as well showing disparities based on race. A much needed addition to the arsenal we can use to succeed in adding women to the U.S. Constitution in the form of the Equal Rights Amendment, a process begun in the early 1900's and still not brought to fruition.

It's hard to believe that Americans don't have equal rights in our Constitution as citizens do across other democracies. Be inspired with this documentary by the words of many equal rights champions now and since passage of the Equal Rights Amendment by Congress in 1972. Also see the ways women's lack of equal rights negatively affects U.S. women and girls (and therefore men and boys, too, as spouses, children, colleagues, etc.), our culture, and our business and government actions. Then join in our centuries-long movement for simple equality of rights for all citizens with discrimination on account of sex no longer constitutional for all rights, not just the right to vote (suffrage).

Dreadful, as is everything Lopez has directed.

Good documentary requires unbiased, curious investigation. This film is an exercise in confirmation bias, at best and is an hysterical rant at worst. Not worth the price of admission even at the free screening I attended. After the showing rather than discussing the film's subject, the audience spent 45 minutes groaning over the poor craft and the blatant narcissism of the filmmaker.

It's a shame that such important material wasn't treated by someone more interested in exposing the truth than making herself the story.

Disappointing and obviously not recommended.