The Human Condition: International Women’s Day

By DR. DANIEL SCHNEE on March 15, 2023.

As it was International Women’s Day last week, I spent some time reflecting on my experiences as a musician – more specifically, I thought about the wonderful depth and variety of musical moments that occurred while working with women.

It was always my dream to be an accompanist, to work with artists from a huge array of cultures and genres. To that end I have been greatly blessed by women from all over the world.

My female bosses and peers showed me there is no essentialist behaviour or methodology that makes all female musicians express themselves in the same way. Indeed the merit of their work was always obvious on its own terms. But as they often pointed out: no matter how excellent the work is, they themselves are never truly free to exist on their own terms; to fully be themselves.

In that way, women become defined by others’ expectations and desires. And what I saw – and still see – is an entire nexus of such expectations, a series of interconnecting demands which can never be completely satisfied … even if a single one of them is satisfied. To be an assertive man, for example, is to have several positive attributes all at once: bravery, confidence, authority, and so on. If a woman on the other hand is assertive they can be automatically “too assertive,” meaning overly confident, demanding, arrogant, and so on. In that way, the industry and indeed life in general is rigged against women by design, as such it is an unwinnable game.

To be honest, the fine arts industries are not meritocracies, to put it mildly. Metaphorically speaking they are an all-out knife fight, among any number of people, all night and day. But if Kim Mitchell walked on stage in sweatpants and a T-shirt he would be considered “comfortable.” If Joni Mitchell did the same she would be “frumpy,” or “letting herself go.”

Thus, International Women’s Day is a chance for us all to meditate on and be inspired by the brave artistic women who proudly disregard the constant attempts by others to define them into oblivion. Such an international day for women really should be celebrated year round, as there is so much to be thankful for.

There is Canadian pianist Renee Rosnes, whose mastery and artistic vision easily puts her in the pantheon of the world’s greatest musicians. And Leela Gilday, who sings out truth from deep within her proudly Indigenous heart. There is Sherrie Maricle, whose understanding and continuation of the great swing drumming traditions is matchless. And how about Keiko Kitano, whose choreography and solo dance works are as refined and deeply moving as any other.

These women lift and change us with their gifts, because they refuse to let society define (i.e. stifle) their true selves. I personally will probably never fully understand such limits and definitions. But together we all should help end limitations and restrictive categories for women, however we can. In that way we can make every day a women’s day, and those would be some truly great days indeed.

Dr. Daniel Schnee is an anthropologist and jazz/rock drummer.

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