There has not been a single week in 2016 so far that has come and gone without one or more major stories related to music industry and its ongoing problem with diversity. If such a time has passed, then it’s likely the big story that particular week was related to sexual assault and/or accusations of such despicable activity within the industry. When history looks back at this year in entertainment diversity, sex crimes, and the ongoing battle for equality will be the themes of the conversation, and it’s up to every individuals to decide which views and positions they promote. You can choose to do nothing, but that may be worse than taking what is perceived to be the ‘wrong’ stance.
Cinder Block Comedy Festival, which takes place in Williamsburg, has been garnering international attention over the last week for their decision to use what they call ‘wage gap pricing’ when setting submission rates for applications to perform. Specifically, the festival is offering a discounted rate to LGBT, people of color and women that is meant as a response to the ongoing disparity between the income of white males and everyone else. Some have called the actions unfair, while others have championed the festival for putting action behind their promise to offer a diverse lineup. Here’s what the festival organizers have to say:
“Over the past few days, we have received an overwhelming amount of feedback concerning our decision to employ ‘wage gap pricing’ in the application process for the Cinder Block Comedy Festival, charging women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA community 77 cents on the dollar, an acknowledgement of the pay disparity in the United States. We would like to publicly state that we stand by our decision and our commitment to creating a diverse comedy festival, showcasing talent from all backgrounds.
In addition, we have decided to open our wage-gap priced early bird discount to people with disabilities of all types, as they are an under-represented group as well, and the wage-gap priced early bird deadline will be extended until March 31st. General applications will become available on April 1st and that deadline has also been extended to April 30th.”
If you’re a white male who read the above statement and now are questioning whether or not the festival is even interested in your presence, stop being absurd. As the fest organizers explain in the FAQ section of their site, Cinder Block is open to everyone:
Q: I’m a white male. Can I still be in the festival?
A: Yes! Some of our favorite comics are white males. Cinder Block isn’t about excluding white guys. We’re about including a varietal rainbow of background and experiences, so as to cultivate a more exciting comedy experience for the audience.
It’s unclear at this time whether or not the actions of Cinder Block Comedy Festival will encourage other events to offer similar pricing structures, but it’s entirely possible. In a time when it seems everyone is looking for ways to be more diverse, wage gap pricing offers a small solution that could have a big impact on who gets to perform at certain events.
Do you think ‘wage gap pricing’ is a good idea?
