Klarinet Archive - Posting 000039.txt from 2007/03

From: michaellevin11@-----.com
Subj: Re: Re: [kl] An interesting point of view
Date: Sun, 04 Mar 2007 03:39:29 -0500

So, a few Octobers ago, I had a gig in Kohler, Wisconsin with a=20
group of Chicago musicians. At the end of the rehearsal =E2=80=93 held in=20
Chicago =E2=80=93 for the Wisconsin gig, we were standing around talking abo=
ut=20
details such as arrival time and appropriate attire, when one of the=20
players asked, =E2=80=9CWhat=E2=80=99s the drive like?=E2=80=9D Having previ=
ously played in=20
Kohler , I quickly replied, =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s a nice ride; while it=E2=
=80=99s real flat,=20
the leaves will be turning and the scenery should be pretty cool.=E2=80=9D T=
he=20
heads of the other musicians immediately turned towards me, with looks=20
ranging from astonishment to amazement. Then, they started laughing: at=20
first just giggles . . . but these soon turned into=20
bodies-doubled-over=E2=80=93and-tears-streaming-down-the-face laughter. When=
=20
the drummer =E2=80=93 a close friend =E2=80=93 collected himself enough to t=
alk while=20
laughing, he explained: =E2=80=9CHe meant the drive . . . are we going to ge=
t=20
hassled by the police as we drive there?=E2=80=9D

I am White, and all seven of the other men and women in the group=20
are Black. They were concerned about =E2=80=9Cdriving while Black.=E2=80=9D=20=
They live=20
in a world where DWB is a significant concern. I live in a world where=20
occasionally I am reminded what =E2=80=9CWhite privilege=E2=80=9D means.

I thought of that rehearsal, and of privilege, when I read=20
Saturday=E2=80=99s post =E2=80=9CRe: [kl] An interesting point of view.=E2=
=80=9D How timely=20
that in this week of International Women=E2=80=99s Day [IWD] =E2=80=93 March=
8 =E2=80=93 I am=20
reminded of =E2=80=9Cmale privilege=E2=80=9D and the things that, as a guy,=20=
I take for=20
granted. [I imagine a posting celebrating the =E2=80=9Cunique sound=E2=80=
=9D of a=20
philharmonic orchestra which denies positions to Blacks, or Latinos, or=20
Jews, or Muslims . . . and I imagine the response to that argument.]

I live in a world where occasionally I am reminded of the need to=20
affirm and celebrate the human rights of women. Thanks for the reminder.

AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free=20
from AOL at AOL.com.
=3D0

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