Chapters 1-3

After all this bad weather, we're finally starting to get into the swing of things and this week we discussed the 1st three chapters of our Women in Music book.  One student commented that at times it can be a bit abrasive (as a male) to read this book, and our professor continued by saying that the author(s) are products of the second wave of feminism.  I have to agree with him, that at times it is a bit abrasive. But this book also holds a lot of valuable information, and has taught me much even in just the first few chapters.  I'm fortunate, if you will, to have been born a white, male.  But I'm also gay. I'm very thankful for that, as to gain some understanding of lack of equality (among other struggles).  The thought had never occurred to me that women of the middle ages would choose to go to a convent to avoid child birth and being considered a man's property. Think how much the gained by doing this; the ability to read, MUSIC, and a host of other opportunities. It's silly, I guess, to think that there will never be someone who things lower of you because you're gender, race, sexuality etc (although it would be very nice!), but I've been watching this great PBS series about Auschwitz (praise be to netflix!!) and after each episode, Linda Ellerbee holds a short discussion with specialists related to that episode.  After one, the director of the National Holocaust Museum said something like: "life is the continuous struggle to build a better world." He was speaking in particular about equality, and I think he is right and it's completely worth the struggle!