Men make more money than women and white Wall Street men make the most.  A recent article in the Atlantic Wire reports that “white males working in finance make significantly more money than those who aren't white or aren't male.” Does this suggest gender and/or racial discrimination? Or is it simply a case of numbers?

I find it intriguing that during these economic times where many Americans of all races, gender, and religions are striving to gain employment or upgrade their low pay, that headlines such as this come to prominence in the press.  If there are too many white men working in finance, whose fault is it? Employers?  Colleges and education programs? Parents? Society? 

I have no issue with the Occupy Movement or what is represents.  I even embrace some aspects of it.  However, how much equity is too much?  At what point do we let people stand on their own two feet and decide which way they are going to walk and accept the consequences of where they go?  I believe that society owes it our citizens to provide a quality education for all.  Every child should be given equal opportunity to progress.  Furthermore, job training programs should be available to anyone needing or desiring them.  I even believe that when people, after doing the best they can, fall and struggle, that society should provide some assistance.  However, I don’t believe that equal opportunity means that ever person should have everything everyone else does. 

Reports like the one in the Atlantic Wire seem to place blame on discrimination. This should be looked in to.  However, we should be careful to not place equality in an unequal status.  Statistics help us understand situations, but numbers are not people, working environments, or ability.  People should be our focus, not numbers.