FEATURE:
Meaningful Allyship
PHOTO CREDIT: Andrew Hawkes/Pexels
The Best Way to Support and Salute Women Through the Industry
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ONE of my main ambitions…
PHOTO CREDIT: cottonbro studio/Pexels
as a music journalist is to do everything possible to support women and promote their music. To discuss important issues around inequality and discrimination. Doing as much to highlight the music and the amazing women around. There is a desire to try and make a difference when it comes to adding my voice to concerns that continue. How there is still so much discrimination and misogyny. I covered this recently. Rather than revisit that line of enquiry, I do wonder whether there is meaningful and clear allyship coming from the industry in general. I am going to deviate before coming back to music. Like so many who have an interest in film, it was gutting that Greta Gerwig was not nominated in the Directing category. Other female directors (such as Celine Song for Past Lives) missed out. A category that always struggles with gender inequality, many felt that she was worthy of nomination. The biggest film of last year, it was a massive oversight! From what the actors of Barbie said, Gerwig’s set was so much fun. This really energetic and happy space, it makes it super-crushing that she was not nominated this year. Ryan Gosling (who got an Actor in a Supporting Role nomination for playing Ken), made a statement expressing his disappointment that Greta Gerwig was not named in the Directing category. Also, his co-star, Margot Robbie missed out in the Actress category. That these two women who helped make and define one of the biggest films in many years did not get Oscar nominations (though Barbie was nominated in Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay). That sort of allyship and support from Gosling was incredible! What is clear is that Hollywood still excludes and overlooks female directors. Excuses about subjectivity and limited category spaces hid a fact: Hollywood still has a bias towards male directors when it comes to awards and recognition.
IN THIS PHOTO: Greta Gerwig/PHOTO CREDIT: Norman Jean Roy for Vanity Fair
It made me think about music. We have similar issues. Perhaps not with an award ceremony like the Oscars. Other areas like festivals maybe. Who is speaking out about the ongoing imbalance and sexism?! Women mainly. There are very few male allies (if any?). In terms of big names in the industry certainly. It does rile me that very few put their head above the parapet and voice their anger at how the industry is still misogynistic and does not value women truly! Even if some areas have improved, look at all the other areas that are rife with problems. My writing can only do so much. I know there are organisations and charities supporting women and fighting for equality. Here are organisations out there who support women in music. They do amazing work. I know about the incredible Cactus City Studio and The F-List (whose new President is Hannah Peel). We also have Why Not Her?, Women in CTRL, and Safe Gigs for Women. I would consider myself quite a passionate feminist. From spotlighting terrific women coming through and those queens established already, through to discussing sexism and misogyny through the industry, I wonder how best to filter and focus that passion. Whether it is feasible setting up my own organisation. How to best get more men in the industry speaking up and getting involved Whether there is a campaign or way of joining all the organisations together for a massive cause or campaign. On 8th March, it is International Women’s Day. I want to do something before then.
IN THIS PHOTO: Hannah Peel
It is still the case that the industry has so many problems to confront. Women, dominating the industry and really producing the best music, are in the minority when it comes to exposure and opportunities. Perhaps not quite a glaring hegemony as Hollywood, music is still male-dominated. A matriarchal music industry, rather than excluding men or causing problems, would genuinely create a more balanced and less toxic industry. So many amazing women (and men) doing important work to highlight injustice and issues. I don’t think we should be in a position, in 2024, where there is still so much work to be done. It is frustrating for music journalists like me and so many others continuingly hearing about drawbacks and inequality. Cases of abuse and discrimination. So many myriad problems that should not be such a problem in this day and age. One where women are creating such important and phenomenal music. Women behind the scenes and those in studios. Those label owners, D.J.s and all their sisters across music, constantly having to ask for change and being seen as less important or relevant as men. If I have said this a lot before, it does warrant repetition. It is a huge industry, and there are so many problems to tackle. I know that this International Women’s Day will both celebrate women throughout music but also call out an industry still unshaking in its discrimination and sexism – even if there are pockets of prosperity and progress. Men in the industry need to be more active and vocal! There are so few men in music that are continuingly and meaningfully protesting and joining the conversation. Maybe it is difficult to know where to start and how to help. I feel, as someone with a small following, it can be really difficult.
PHOTO CREDIT: Nicholas Derio Palacios/Pexels
This year, instead of having any resolutions – which are always meaningless and broken instantly -, I would try and use my platform to try and bring about change. However small that is. That may sound a little pious and self-important but, at a time when music journalism is in decline and being threatened (as so many cannot make money from it), the appetite for it grows. Each month seems to bring bad news and reports of women in the industry being negatively impacted. This sits against an industry thriving because of women. It is that cognitive dissonance that galls me! Not an industry that reflects meritocracy; that bias and unwavering and tone deaf lack of change. I do realise that there has been progress over the past few years in so many areas. Even so, when one thinks about the music industry, like Hollywood, it has a real problem when it comes to women. Many do not feel protected or safe. Many feel underheard and underpaid. Artists not given headline slots. Female D.J.s having to work tirelessly to get the same chances as men. Many women reporting sexism and misogyny they constantly face. Award shows fixing some problems but not addressing others. This very slow progress only happens because of women in music. They deserve a lot more than they are getting. I have a real drive and determination to do all I can. Transitioning from the written word to become more active and join forces with others. For women all throughout music, providing equality and true recognition is…
PHOTO CREDIT: Sound On/Pexels
THE absolute least they deserve.