Stacey Dash Raises Eyebrows Over Gender Pay Discussion With Meredith Vieira
It’s been years since the movie, but it appears that Stacey Dash is still clueless when it comes to issues like equality and gender pay.
The Clueless actress dropped by The Meredith Vieira Show and promptly raised eyebrows and tempers with her views.
.@REALStaceyDash, @meredithvieira have a tense exchange over gender wage gap http://t.co/h9RuA1RjSL pic.twitter.com/mcW3Q59oeu
— Yahoo TV (@YahooTV) April 29, 2015
The interview started amiably enough, but turned heated when Vieira took note of the actress’ disdain of actress Patricia Arquette’s outspoken view on discrimination against women at the 2015 Academy Awards.
“I feel like it’s an excuse. It’s the same thing with race. It’s an excuse. Stop making excuses,” the 48-year-old actress said. “If there are opportunities, seize them and be prepared for them, and be the best, if that’s what it takes. If you have to be extraordinary, then be extraordinary.”
The host responded to that statement by giving documented facts and pointed out that women only “make 78 cents for every dollar that a man makes.”
To further emphasize her point, Vieira used her daughter as an example, saying that “at the rate we’re going, my daughter, who’s 22, will be 65 when there’s finally pay equality.”
She also pointed out that aside from it being “clearly wrong,” women are also not given the opportunity.
Vieira’s statement was greeted with applause, and when Dash claimed uncertainty whether those numbers were true, the host insisted that the figures she gave were documented.
Dash then downplayed the numbers and said that while the figures are true, “I feel like your daughter will be able to make as much money as she wants in her life just like you are.”
The 61-year-old Vieira admitted that while she might be perceived as successful now, it was a long road and there were “many years I was not being paid the same as the guys.”
When questioned by Dash if she thought it was because she’s a woman, the veteran news anchor admitted that she thinks “that had a lot to do with it.”
And in a frustrating turn, the Mo’ Money actress totally sidestepped the issue and played the destiny card, saying that:
“I guess I won’t put my fate into anything other than my own action, and taking my destiny in my hands. I will not be a victim.”
The exasperated host replied that she’s not claiming to be a victim, but that she’s “pissed off” with the situation.
At this point, Dash began berating Vieira, and presumably others with views like her, when she argued that “if you want to be pissed off about it, then be pissed off about it and work harder for it.”
[Image via YouTube]
