I found Stige's column (http://voices.no/?q=fortnightly-columns/2002-jambo-means-hello-africa-syndrome) both fascinating and thought-provoking. As I continue to examine my own multicultural music therapy practice I ask this question: Can I make the same comparison to community music therapy as I do to multicultural music therapy? And in that I mean that the ideal is that we do not need to make a specification as to what type of music therapy we practice in regards to community, context, and culture, but rather it is an understanding amongst professionals and clients that our work will address such aspects of practice automatically when we say "I'm a music therapist."
My hope as both a therapist and client is that I will be given treatment that includes and addresses my role in the various contexts and cultures that make me who I am. Unfortunately, much of the current "cultural" work that is happening today is based on stereotypes and generalizations. For example, how many times can I read that Latino-Americans are have smaller personal space areas that Caucasian Americans? Or that Asians tend to show little emotion and are not as receptive to speaking about their feelings. Although it is important to understand cultural differences, we most certainly cannot make assumptions for all persons from diverse cultures based on what a book or article tells us is the "cultural norm." As a part Asian woman, I would not want my therapist making assumptions solely based on what s/he read about the Asian culture. We could study all aspects of culture, including language and music, and still not provide cross-cultural care.
In concordance with Stige, I agree that skills involving the integration of context and culture in clinical practice will be essential to music therapist qualifications. I strongly believe that music therapists must continually engage in self-reflection and self-evaluation as part of their everyday practice. Music therapists must have a vast palate of colors to paint from. If we limit ourselves to certain types, styles, or even scales of music, we will limit whom we can serve. Clients must be welcomed into our sessions without their "portrait" already painted.
I found Stige's column (http://voices.no/?q=fortnightly-columns/2002-jambo-means-hello-africa-syndrome) both fascinating and thought-provoking. As I continue to examine my own multicultural music therapy practice I ask this question: Can I make the same comparison to community music therapy as I do to multicultural music therapy? And in that I mean that the ideal is that we do not need to make a specification as to what type of music therapy we practice in regards to community, context, and culture, but rather it is an understanding amongst professionals and clients that our work will address such aspects of practice automatically when we say "I'm a music therapist."
My hope as both a therapist and client is that I will be given treatment that includes and addresses my role in the various contexts and cultures that make me who I am. Unfortunately, much of the current "cultural" work that is happening today is based on stereotypes and generalizations. For example, how many times can I read that Latino-Americans are have smaller personal space areas that Caucasian Americans? Or that Asians tend to show little emotion and are not as receptive to speaking about their feelings. Although it is important to understand cultural differences, we most certainly cannot make assumptions for all persons from diverse cultures based on what a book or article tells us is the "cultural norm." As a part Asian woman, I would not want my therapist making assumptions solely based on what s/he read about the Asian culture. We could study all aspects of culture, including language and music, and still not provide cross-cultural care.
In concordance with Stige, I agree that skills involving the integration of context and culture in clinical practice will be essential to music therapist qualifications. I strongly believe that music therapists must continually engage in self-reflection and self-evaluation as part of their everyday practice. Music therapists must have a vast palate of colors to paint from. If we limit ourselves to certain types, styles, or even scales of music, we will limit whom we can serve. Clients must be welcomed into our sessions without their "portrait" already painted.
If we continue to embrace the "Jambo" means "Hello" in African Syndrome (http://voices.no/?q=fortnightly-columns/2002-jambo-means-hello-africa-syndrome), we will continue to do our clients a disservice.