Toshi Reagon: The new segregation

by Rachel Terrell-Perica on 01/03/11 at 1:21pm

An accomplished musical artist, Toshi Reagon brings a rich

background to her music – as an African-American, as well as
queer-identified woman. Reagon performed recently with her
band, BIGLovely, at Stanford Lively Arts. Described as a “one-
woman celebration of all that is dynamic, progressive, and uplifting
in American music,” Reagon is a musician and a musical activist.

Professionally, Reagon garnered much recognition, including the

2010 OutMusic’s Heritage Award, the 2007 Black Lily Award for
Outstanding Performance, and the 2004 New York Foundation for
the Arts award for musical composition. In addition to winning
Toshi Reagon Photo by Bernie DeChant
critical acclaim, Reagon has wowed fans for over three decades.
This strong foundation with fans and critics provides a platform for Reagon to articulate messages through her
music and her performances.

“I just say what I want to say and make it feel the way I feel,” said Reagon in an interview before her performance.
“Even my fun songs have substance. I try not to go on rants, but it’s good to say things in your songs that people
can carry around with them and use.”

Using this framework, Reagon makes a point to challenge gendered norms through her music as well as her
performances.

After three decades of being immersed in the music business, Reagon has seen and experienced the dynamics of
race and gender. In her interview Reagon stated that diversity in the music industry has improved over the years;
however, it remains an area in which further progress is needed. She described this current state of the industry in
the terms of “The New Segregation,” pointing to the subtleties of these battles. Often these inequalities go
unnoticed until change is made, as seen in the historical instance of “blind” auditions.

Goldin and Rouse published an article in The American Economic Review titled, “Orchestrating Impartiality: The
Impact of ‘Blind’ Auditions on Female Musicians.” The article describes the 1970s hiring procedure of orchestral
musicians as one in which institutionalized prejudices dictated the process. As a result, female musicians
comprised fewer than 5% of all players. A new system was implemented where the judging panel was “blinded” to
the identity and physical appearance of the individual auditioning; the decision was therefore based purely on
talent. After this reform took place, the number of women hired increase by 55%.

Reagon considers this need for gender equality as she chooses members for her band, BIGLovely. At her recent
performance at Stanford, the women musicians were visually presented as the dominating voice of the group, with
the three male musicians standing behind them on stage. Reagon also has an all-female version of her band. The
all-female performers make a powerful statement with their skill and energy.

One of Reagon’s key messages throughout her performance was that it is not enough to simply be aware of the
inequality in the world around us. We need to speak out and do something – and support others who are working
towards change. During her final song, Reagon took a moment to emphasize that “we stand together.” In the
people we encounter and the lives we live, we are continually being shaped by those around us. She emphasized
that it is of the utmost importance that we reach out to one another and give back to those around us. As her
closing statement, Reagon challenged each and every person present to be active citizens of our world.

Rachel Terrell-Perica is a Stanford student, set to graduate in 2013. Inspired by the

performance, Rachel created her own challenge: Go, and confront the inequalities and
injustices you see around you with the resources that you have, however great or small
they may be.

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