It’s been nice to see more diverse bills in Boston and in fact, it seems like it’s a minority for a show to be booked with an “all dudes, all night” bill. The efforts to elevate more women and non-binary artists has lead to progress and obvious change. But! If you’re a cis-male participant in the music scene who is hoping to promote gender equality beyond just clearing your name from the list of tone-deaf, sexist, oblivious block heads, there is more you can (and should) do to earn your feminist status!
Recently, after reading bell hooks’ Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center I was reminded that even as a woman who identifies as feminist, it’s important to be checking and editing my own set of beliefs in order to properly advocate for change that benefits women and non-binary people outside of my own direct experience and needs.
To be a true ally—an active ally—it starts with the understanding that female and non-binary people have a different experience than cis-gendered men, and if you’re not actively attempting to understand this and better things within or outside of the music community, if you’re not engaging in conversation, following through with action items, if you’re not actively listening, then you’re complicit. It’s a day-to-day contract, and this applies to any genre of ally-ship.
Below is a list of media recommendations from active, local, non-male artists, a collection of resources intended to help deepen the understanding of a marginalized perspective. Read one of the books, watch a documentary, recite a poem–spend some time with this list and convert your status from “Lip Service Feminist” to an actual educated person with practical ideas to promote change. Start here with these voices, start with an open mind, and see where it takes you.
Here goes!
Oompa
Recommended media: The Mask You Live In [documentary] , Pariah, [film] Moonlight [film]
“The word Ally is passive. At MINIMUM people should be able to say, ‘Hey, I’ve got no beef with you because you’re who you are.’ But if you want an actionable term, a word that requires work and dirt under the nails– some sh*t people actually respect– I think people of all historically oppressive groups should be learning how to be better comrades. War-mates. We all have a role in undoing oppression. I could even make the argument that people in historically oppressive groups have the largest impact/the most work to do in undoing oppression. Power and privilege affords a group the ability to oppress, and how do people without the privilege OR power get to undo what has been put in place? The math don’t add up, homie.
This is not just stickers on your laptop back. It is not just a locked arms at the rally. This is not B.S. hipster aesthetic. This is life’s work. This is dedicating your life to understanding that your privilege and power has not only afforded you things in life that other people will never have, but that they have actively taken things away from people. Things that aren’t to be played with: like their safety and humanity.
It starts with listening. Stop being so damned defensive and listen. A person says you hurt them, you don’t call them sensitive because you are uncomfortable. You shut up and listen. You acknowledge that they are human and can be hurt, and that despite your intention, you have hurt them. That’s where the healing starts.”
Rocio Del Mar of Pushflowers
Recommended Media: Life Is But A Dream [documentary]
“I’ve always struggled to state my opinions or criticisms strongly. As a woman in music, there’s an automatic desire to ‘soften the blow’ as to not come off as naggy, too opinionated, or a b*tch. Which is so not fair since I’ve seen so many men easily state, ‘No that’s not right, fix that’ to bandmates so bluntly and it’s met with respect. I say the same thing, why are they defensive? A little wake up call for me was when I watched Beyoncé in the studio in her 2013 documentary Life is But A Dream, and she said, straight up, ‘Ummm, hope this isn’t done because I have so many notes’. And my automatic instinct was like, ‘Wow! What a boss! Those men are listening to her!’ But it’s like, they should be listening to her. This is her music, it’s her job, and it’s important.
Good guys, make sure you keep yourselves in check when you see strong women voicing their opinions. It’s important we continue to reevaluate our automatic socialized reactions.”
Hollie Foster of GASH
Recommended Media: J Mase III [poet, activist]
“A resource that has really put power and privilege into perspective for me is White Folks Be Trippin: an ethnography through poetry and prose by J Mase III. After attending a workshop held by J Mase III, a black, trans, Muslim activist, and watching them perform their poetry, I reevaluated how much privilege I have as a white, cisgender woman. Reading their poetry helped me even more to understand that intersectionality and creating safe spaces can’t stop at just the inclusion and empowerment of white women. I think a lot of people in our scene, who strive to be allies, would benefit from reading their poetry.”
Diana Walsh
Recommended Media: The Love Object [book]
“Edna O’Brien’s The Love Object challenges the assumptions surrounding domestic taboos. All but legally exiled from Ireland by the age of 30, she candidly writes of domestic violence, sex, abortion, adultery, molestation, shifting zeitgeist, female push-back on feminism, poverty, tradition, and shame. Many dark humiliations are bravely exposed in her work, but do not despair: O’Brien lovingly explores the complicated relationships of mothers, daughters, sisters, and companionship, which balance darker journeys. For many, home can be the least empowering space. If that last sentiment sounds like a load of bull, let The Love Object haunt your assumptions of domestic intimacy, and woo you with the strength of persistence.”
Hannah Liuzzo is one third of Boston band Lilith. You can stream their tunes on Spotify or Bandcamp, like them on Facebook, and keep up with their charm on Twitter and Instagram.