Tracee Ellis Ross Wanting Higher Pay For 'Black-Ish' Is Necessary
The name of the game this year is to know your worth and demand it.
Tracee Ellis Ross is taking powerful moves to be a voice for women when it comes to knowing their value and not settling for less, and it's a movement that needs to be spread like wildfire.
In a recent Hollywood Reporterissue, Tracee revealed that she is considering limiting her presence on the black-ish show due to the wage disparity between her and Anthony Anderson, who gets paid significantly more.
To be fair, the network claims the reason behind the difference is because of Anthony's role as one of the show's executive producers. However, it should be noted that Tracee is likely asking that her acting compensation more closely reflect the acting compensation of her co-star. According to reports, Anthony earns $100,000 an episode as an actor, and Tracee earns $80,000.
Tracee and Anthony have both been on the show since its inception in 2014 and Tracee's performance on the show was awarded a Golden Globe, making her the first Black actress in 35 years to win for a comedy series on television.
Her stock has increased as an actress, so her pay should reflect that. The Golden Globe-winning mom of black-ish is considering making guest appearances on other shows to make up the gap, instead of utilizing the time to be on the show that is not paying her her worth.
Season five is still up in the air, but Tracee has made it clear that her decision to walk gracefully into spaces who understand her value - and pay for it - will be high on the pedestal if she feels her negotiations are not brought to Anderson's level.
Time and time again we are shown that there is a glass ceiling for women, whilst male counterparts are using the ceiling as the dance floor, two-stepping into their financial power. It doesn't matter the industry; it's been a tale of inequality in places from hospitality to Hollywood.
Women are working at the heart of their industries and still finding themselves out of the heart of the conversation when it comes to compensation.
The courage to find your voice and demand the pay you deserve for the value you bring is a process that anyone can feel the heaviness of fear. But, it must be done.
Like Tracee, other women in Hollywood are taking a stand and creating the dialogue of equal pay. Shonda Rhimes, one of the iconic writers, producers, and trailblazers in the entertainment industry is using her power to help other women come forward and ask for their worth, with tax. Shonda is given credit by Grey's Anatomy's star and lead actress Ellen Pompeo for helping her find her voice and give peace to the chaos that all women seem to think: "Am I asking for too much?"
At $20 million a year, Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy) is now the highest paid actress in Hollywood - all because she stuck to her guns, listened to the god-sent advice from her friend (and the woman that gave her big break in Hollywood) Shonda, and stood in her power.
"In Shonda finding her power and becoming more comfortable with her power, she has empowered me. And that took her a while to get to, too. It was part of her evolution. It's also why our relationship is so special. I was always loyal to her, and she responds well to loyalty. So, she got to a place where she was so empowered that she was generous with her power. Now, what did that look like? It looked like her letting me be the highest-paid woman on television, letting me be a producer on this show, letting me be a co-executive producer on the spinoff and signing off on the deal that the studio gave me, which is unprecedented."
Ellen's new salary is a beautiful victory for women, but one that also highlights the fact that female actors, as well as actors of color, have a ways to go in remedying the disparities experienced in the industry. The cast of Big Bang Theory, and even Modern Family's Sofia Vergara easily rake in a million dollars per episode - while Empire's Taraji P. Henson (a show that had ratings high at one point), receives $175,000 an episode. Kerry Washington and Viola Davis receive $250,000 per episode of Scandal and How ToGet Away With Murder respectively.
To put the wage disparity between minority actors even more into perspective, ABC paid Tim Allen $250,000 per episode during the airing of Last Man Standing, despite the fact that the show drew in half the viewership black-ish did. While Tracee requiring more money is an impressive stand for women in general, it's also an incredible stand for black women specifically that are oftentimes at the receiving end of even greater wage disparities due to their skin color alone.
I always say that self-awareness is a commodity; it's a form of currency in the transactional world of business. Knowing exactly who I am allows me to know my worth, understand my value proposition, and act from a place of wholeness, and not deficit.
Tracee Ellis, as well as Shonda Rhimes and Ellen Pompeo, are moving from their centers of self-awareness.
Knowing your worth and demanding it has been taboo because women are not taught to come forward and use their voices to assert their power.
The times are changing because women are shifting plates with their ability to speak authentically about the circumstances at hand. Time's Up and the way for change to precipitate is to empower ourselves, and then empower other women. We have to be mirrors for each other's worth.
Light reflects light and it will help to illuminate the injustices that we are so boldly and gracefully dismantling, together.
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Olivia Jade is a writer and creative engineer, intersecting wellness, culture, womanism, and self-development. She waters the flowers in her mind so others can recognize their own internal garden. Link up: @akaoliviajade (Twitter and IG) oliviajade.co
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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