Justice, Equality, and Diversity ... Our Role as Classical Musicians
It has been a while since my last Fiddler’s Favorites. These past weeks have been distressing, and I have found it difficult to post a recipe in the midst of so much happening in the world. Like many, I became a witness to the very jarring and inhumane death of Mr. George Floyd as I watched the often repeated video capturing his murder at the very hands of those meant to serve and protect all of us. And that video is only the latest among many videos that have given an undeniable glimpse into long-standing racial disparities and injustices in our society.
The call for justice and change is louder and clearer than ever. So what can we do?
As musicians, we can do much to make change in our society through music. Many of the readers on Violinist.com are educators and musicians ourselves. Changing the lack of diversity in our orchestras and in classical music in general starts at the grassroots level. Providing educational opportunities and support at an early age is of utmost importance.
Numerous organizations exist in our communities to make positive change, and I recommend finding one or more to support in your own community. I would like to list a few below from my hometown in Chicago. Please look for ways in your communities you can promote equality, not just monetarily but also in providing guidance and support for the many children that deserve equal opportunity.
It is time we make change.
Let us use the incredible power of music to speak for equality.
- Hyde Park Suzuki Institute
- Merit School of Music
- Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative
- Evanston Young Artists
I welcome you to list other organizations that are worthy of support in your own communities.
I would like to say a special thank you to Wendy and Ayesha.
You might also like:
- Growing a Core Repertoire for Violin that Embraces Diversity
- Classical Musicians Join Online Protest over Death of George Floyd
- #TakeTwoKnees: The Week in Hope-Inspiring Spontaneous Music Online, Op. 12
Replies
But if that one group has been historically treated unkindly, then a "refocus" certainly is in order, and it shortchanges no one. The only "shortchanging" would be to deny that the change is necessary.
Being blind is just being blind. Time to open our eyes to reality, acknowledge the problems, and truly treat people fairly.
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June 16, 2020 at 07:29 PM · What can you do? Be a good human being - whatever your color, race, religion, or gender. That's it. It's really very simple. If we refocus our kindness to any one group we shortchange another. It is better to be good and fair to all, equally.