Klarinet Archive - Posting 000266.txt from 1999/02

From: DHmorgan@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Women and orchestras
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 18:57:05 -0500

In a message dated 2/6/99 8:24:07 AM Pacific Standard Time, bhausman@-----.com
writes:

<< I have no idea--and it doesn't matter. The evidence of the study in
>question, which I don't have on hand and am getting tired of trying to
recall,
>seemed to indicate that the BIAS was there, irrespective of performance.
>
Does this mean we are supposed to have a sliding grading scale, taking into
account the persons physical/genetic makeup when deciding how well they
play? Would Sabine Meyer feel especially complimented a review which says
she plays very well -- for a woman? The standard MUST be objective. If
the standard is adjusted, up or down, for different groups, that, by
definition, IS BIAS! >>

It would be CONSCIOUS bias designed to correct UNCONSCIOUS bias. This is what
Affirmative Action attempts to do--make it easier for certain groups to have
access to resources and opportunities in one context because people are making
it unfairly harder for them everwhere else. And there are all sorts of
problems with that approach. It seems particular problematic, as you point
out, when applied to music. I, for one, would not recommend a 'quota method'
as a solution to the problem.

Don

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