Brief Discussion of Race, Brief Discussion of Race, Class and GenderClass and Gender

Race vs. EthnicityRace vs. Ethnicity

““It is important to note that race is predominantly a It is important to note that race is predominantly a social constructsocial construct - in other words, scientists have discovered - in other words, scientists have discovered that only 2 percent of our genes are ultimately responsible that only 2 percent of our genes are ultimately responsible for the visible differences such as skin color. Although it is for the visible differences such as skin color. Although it is not an exact science, social groups play a very important not an exact science, social groups play a very important role in defining the rules of race” (role in defining the rules of race” (Pizarro-EckertPizarro-Eckert).).

““Ethnicity (n) a term which represents social groups with a Ethnicity (n) a term which represents social groups with a shared history, sense of identity, geography and cultural shared history, sense of identity, geography and cultural roots which may occur despite racial differenceroots which may occur despite racial difference– Let's consider Puerto Ricans as an example of an ethnicity. Many Let's consider Puerto Ricans as an example of an ethnicity. Many

Puerto Ricans represent various blends of White, Red and/or Black Puerto Ricans represent various blends of White, Red and/or Black races and yet they refer to themselves collectively as Boricuas” (races and yet they refer to themselves collectively as Boricuas” (Pizarro-EckertPizarro-Eckert).).

ClassClass

A variable thing, but often sociological A variable thing, but often sociological definitions are based, in part, on access to definitions are based, in part, on access to resources and wealth.resources and wealth.

Definition: “When sociologists talk of Definition: “When sociologists talk of social social classclass, they refer to a group of individuals , they refer to a group of individuals who occupy a similar position in the who occupy a similar position in the economic system of production” (Marks) economic system of production” (Marks)

GenderGender

Again, as with other definitions, this is Again, as with other definitions, this is variable. Gender seems completely variable. Gender seems completely biological, but there are social aspects. biological, but there are social aspects. (Think about boys playing with “dolls” and (Think about boys playing with “dolls” and girls playing with “toy soldiers.”)girls playing with “toy soldiers.”)

A definition: “Category to which an A definition: “Category to which an individual is assigned by self or others, on individual is assigned by self or others, on the basis of sex. Cf.: sex, gender role” the basis of sex. Cf.: sex, gender role” (Webmd.com).(Webmd.com).

How Does this Matter in Music?How Does this Matter in Music?

It matters because when you look at music, musicians, and It matters because when you look at music, musicians, and the business of music, all three “lenses” help you see the business of music, all three “lenses” help you see things you might miss otherwise.things you might miss otherwise.

For instance, look at these lyrics from a classic Led For instance, look at these lyrics from a classic Led Zeppelin Song, “Black Dog”: “Zeppelin Song, “Black Dog”: “Hey, hey, mama, said the Hey, hey, mama, said the way you move?/Gonna make you sweat, gonna make way you move?/Gonna make you sweat, gonna make you grooveyou groove” (Plant). ” (Plant). – Mama (Race):Mama (Race): A word that one often hears in blues music (Robert A word that one often hears in blues music (Robert

Johnson: “My mama’s red hot”), and a shout out, probably, by the Johnson: “My mama’s red hot”), and a shout out, probably, by the blues loving men in Led Zeppelin to their Black blues heroes.blues loving men in Led Zeppelin to their Black blues heroes.

– ““Gonna make you sweat” (Gender):Gonna make you sweat” (Gender): You have a not so oblique You have a not so oblique reference to a man making a woman “hot.” reference to a man making a woman “hot.”

– ““Gonna” (Class):Gonna” (Class): The language here is of working class origins. The language here is of working class origins. Gonna is not said by upper crust folks in England or the United Gonna is not said by upper crust folks in England or the United States. Robert Plant, the lyricist for Led Zeppelin, is using his States. Robert Plant, the lyricist for Led Zeppelin, is using his home language, and the home language of his Black blues Heroes: home language, and the home language of his Black blues Heroes: the language of the working classes. the language of the working classes.

How Does this Matter in Music?How Does this Matter in Music?

When you begin to think about race, class, When you begin to think about race, class, and sex, music begins to look different.and sex, music begins to look different.

You’re going to see this when you begin to You’re going to see this when you begin to do your work.do your work.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Marks, C. “What is Social Class”. Marks, C. “What is Social Class”. Homepage of C. Marks. Homepage of C. Marks. 21 April 2007. <http://copland.udel.edu/~cmarks/What21 April 2007. <http://copland.udel.edu/~cmarks/What%20is%20social%20class.htm>.%20is%20social%20class.htm>.

Pizarro-Eckert, Susan. "Race - Definitions of Key Race Pizarro-Eckert, Susan. "Race - Definitions of Key Race Relations Terms“ Relations Terms“ About.comAbout.com. 21 April 2007. . 21 April 2007. <http://racerelations.about.com/od/skillsbuildingresources/g<http://racerelations.about.com/od/skillsbuildingresources/g/racedef.htm>./racedef.htm>.

Plant, Robert. “Black Dog Lyrics.” Plant, Robert. “Black Dog Lyrics.” Lyrics.com.Lyrics.com. 21 April 2007. 21 April 2007. <http://www.lyricsfreak.com/l/led+zeppelin/black+dog_2008<http://www.lyricsfreak.com/l/led+zeppelin/black+dog_20081883.html>. 1883.html>.

Webmd.com. “Definition of Gender.” Webmd.com. “Definition of Gender.” Medical Dictionary Medical Dictionary 21 21 April 2007. April 2007. <http://dictionary.webmd.aol.com/terms/gender>. <http://dictionary.webmd.aol.com/terms/gender>.