The irony of President Bush
President George W. Bush is aware of the gender inequality in the United States, but he does little to heal the problem. For instance, President Bush knows the existing gender imbalance in the Supreme Court, but he appoints a male judge to replace an outgoing female judge. The author writes, “After Justice O’Connor retired in 2006 to take care of her ailing husband, Justice Ginsburg was the sole woman on the Supreme Court for three years (President George W. Bush nominated a man, Samuel Alto, to replace O’Connor.”
The irony of the constitution
The United States' constitution states that it serves all people equally. Ironically, women are not included in the word 'people' because they are discriminated against in every aspect of life. Ginsburg says that the constitution starts with the phrase 'We the people of the United States,' which implies that all genders are represented. Satirically, men are treated as superior beings in every aspect of life while women are neglected and mistreated. After the successful fight for equal treatment for women, Ginsburg says, "The union has become more perfect as it has become more embracive so that we the people today includes people left out at the beginning."
The irony of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI.)
The reader finds it satirical that the VMI only prioritizes men leaving out women in admissions, graduations, and placements. VMI is a state-owned institution that should serve and accord equal opportunities to both genders but is biased. Similarly, it is sardonic that the mission statement of VMI states that 'Educated and honorable men.' The author writes, "High school boys were welcome to apply for admission to VMI. High school girls were not.”
The Irony of Goodyear Tire Plant
It is ironic for a nation like the USA to discriminate against women when it comes to salaries. Lilly works as an area manager at the tire plant but realizes that she has been paid a lower wage than her male counterparts. Satirically, Lilly does the same job done by men within the company, but she is paid less salary because she is a woman.
The Irony of the Court
The Court intentionally ignores the laws that advocate for equal pay for all genders. Ginsburg said, "The law was meant to govern real-world employment practices, and that world is what the Court ignores today." It is ironic that the Court that is supposed to protect women and accord them what rightfully belongs to plays a role in subjecting women to pay discrimination at workplaces.
