Until Justice Just Is: Music
Music has long served as a historically powerful tool for marginalized people to share their lived experiences and inspire change. In partnership with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, YWCA USA helps us discover the legacy of musician activists, racism in the music industry, cultural appropriation, how music pushes against gender stereotypes, and access to music education. The YWCA Racial Justice Challenge is your chance to learn how to address racism head on. Take the Challenge and build your own tools for dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership, including in the music industry at justice.ywca.org
Music & the Legacy of BIPOC Creators
Too often, the contributions of BIPOC musicians are overlooked. Together, we’ll learn about the creators that influenced almost every genre of music popular today and how music is an important part of cultural identity.
Racism in the Music Industry
These resources will examine how racism continues to impact the music industry today. Artists of color continue to face significant barriers in their careers, such as being boxed into specific genres of music, pay disparities, and lack of recognition for their work.
Cultural Appropriation & Reparations
Too often, musicians of color were not given proper recognition or compensation for their work. Today’s resources will examine how the music industry systemically appropriated work from BIPOC artists while marginalizing them, and how financial reparations could be key to achieving justice for these artists.
Gender, Sexuality, & Power in Music
Music has often given performers the opportunity to challenge and play with stereotypical ideas about gender identity and expression. These resources examine what it means to be someone with a marginalized gender identity or sexuality in the music industry and how their work can empower others.
Music Education Access & Curriculum
Music is an amazing learning tool that allows students to develop skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. However, not all students have access to music education and the mental and emotional benefits that it can provide. These resources will cover the importance of ensuring equitable access to music education and why it is critical for students to see diverse voices represented in their music curriculum.
