Women's rights in Africa: demoralizing or disloyal

Professor Bradley came to our Practicum class Friday morning to teach Ghanaian drumming. She gave a fabulous presentation and taught us all well. She explained how gender bias was part of the music life (as it probably is in every other aspect of their lives) and how women very few times are drummers, and even fewer or rarely is there a woman master drummer. In fact I don't think she mentioned that could be a possibility. However she said she and her group educated the schools about equality and woman's rights. But was she polluting the minds of the Ghanaians? I understand it's another view point, but was it suggested because it's different and not practiced in America? How do we go to another country and tell people how to live? I'm sure she didn't do that, but in some way, she did. She found something wrong with what was going on, because if she didn't she probably wouldn't have taught it. Don't get me wrong I am not against woman's right, nor am I dissing Bradley, I am just exploring the idea of this. How do we, as music educators teach in another country. Should we, like ethnomusicologists, adapt and learn as the natives. Or should all our fourth graders, have a chance to play the djembe?

I read a book in high school that is also used for a course taught here. It is called, Things fall apart, by Achebe. I cannot remember if this story is false or true but according Block isn't every story false? Regardless, this story was based on true happenings that occured when Christians began to pilgrimage Africa. It revolves around the main character, Okonkwo who is this mighty, powerful wrestler. When I read this in high school, I was shocked to read that he beat his wife and children and even killed family-friends. Their mindset was very different than my own. He was most feared and most powerful in his village. He was a model citizen. But when England began to colonize and change their lifestyles, he was the first person frowned upon. So instead of giving into defeat and letting go of his culture, he hanged himself.

Of course, there is a lot more plot but those were points that would turn off readers if they did not know what they were getting themselves into. So now what do we do as music educators; how do we teach music without everything else. Or should we teach just music and not everything else. Are we being moral teachers by giving the drums to boys and the napkin sheets to the girls. What is our concept of fair versus their own. How can we guide students to make decisions for themselves and not tell them. How do you honor their world when it becomes too much of a moral issue for your world. Who are we to say woman's right is appropriate especially in countries that are hundreds of years older. How can we suggest many issues including woman's right in a non-hostile way without pushing it on them.

How can we be educators and not crusaders.

Dave