The New York Times reports the founding of a new company here in New York. It’s called SheTaxis—SheRides. Here’s how the Times describes it: “The new livery service starting Sept. 16 in New York City, Westchester County and Long Island will offer female drivers exclusively, for female riders.”
When I read that sentence I was taken aback. A company that won’t hire men? A company that won’t serve men? Is there not an important part of our legal code that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in employment and public accommodation?
The chairwoman of the New York Taxi & Limousine Commission sees no problem with SheTaxis—SheRides. “As with so many service industries, the for-hire vehicle industry continues to get more and more specialized in terms of the products and services it offers.” Winnie Hu, the Times reporter who penned the news story doesn’t entertain the thought that it might be less than kosher to have, as a business plan, an explicitly discriminatory policy of only hiring women and only serving women.
It seems to me this blatant disregard for basic principles of prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex—and its smiling affirmation in our liberal parish newspaper—indicates a subtle change in our culture. Even in the bastions of political correctness women know that women are women, not men, and that’s a difference that makes a difference.
It would be nice if there were a bit more consistency among progressives, however.
