Klarinet Archive - Posting 000043.txt from 2007/03
From: "Christy Erickson" <woodshome7@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Re: [kl] An interesting point of view
Date: Sun, 04 Mar 2007 08:22:07 -0500
Since I grew up near Kohler, Wisconsin and my father worked for the Kohler
Company for many years, I'm assuming you played at the American Club in
Kohler? This note caught my attention for that reason. I can imagine the
concerns your group members had but I'm sure they realized there was no need
for concern after playing that gig in Kohler. Let me know if your group
will be playing in Kohler again. Christy Erickson
So, a few Octobers ago, I had a gig in Kohler, Wisconsin with a
group of Chicago musicians. At the end of the rehearsal – held in
Chicago – for the Wisconsin gig, we were standing around talking about
details such as arrival time and appropriate attire, when one of the
players asked, “What’s the drive like?†Having previously played in
Kohler , I quickly replied, “It’s a nice ride; while it’s real flat,
the leaves will be turning and the scenery should be pretty cool.†The
heads of the other musicians immediately turned towards me, with looks
ranging from astonishment to amazement. Then, they started laughing: at
first just giggles . . . but these soon turned into
bodies-doubled-over–and-tears-streaming-down-the-face laughter. When
the drummer – a close friend – collected himself enough to talk while
laughing, he explained: “He meant the drive . . . are we going to get
hassled by the police as we drive there?â€
I am White, and all seven of the other men and women in the group
are Black. They were concerned about “driving while Black.†They live
in a world where DWB is a significant concern. I live in a world where
occasionally I am reminded what “White privilege†means.
I thought of that rehearsal, and of privilege, when I read
Saturday’s post “Re: [kl] An interesting point of view.†How timely
that in this week of International Women’s Day [IWD] – March 8 – I am
reminded of “male privilege†and the things that, as a guy, I take for
granted. [I imagine a posting celebrating the “unique sound†of a
philharmonic orchestra which denies positions to Blacks, or Latinos, or
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
affirm and celebrate the human rights of women. Thanks for the reminder.
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