SMITH INQUIRY PROJECT 2

MUSIC ACCESSIBILITY FOR MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS PROPOSAL 

Rationale 

Everyday life benefits people who do not identify as a part of a marginalized community. Those 

who are white, male, economically stable, employed, right-handed or heterosexual tend to face fewer 

struggles with accessibility and representation. Cities where descrimination and persecution are high 

show increased tension within the community. The United States is most definitely impacted by 

descrimination across the country. In 2017, white suppremicists protested the plan to remove a Robert E 

Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia which left many injured (Fortin). In August 2019, we saw persecution 

in Jackson, Mississippi when 680 factory workers were arrested for unlawfully working in the United 

States without proper citizenship. (ICE Executes Federal Search Warrants at Multiple Mississippi 

Locations). Additionally, children, various religious groups, and people who are incarcerated or have a 

criminal record are not receiving the same access to resources that a human being deserves. The cost of 

hearing aids is generally minimally or not covered under most insurance companies (Mroz). Individuals 

who get hearing aids have to pay several thousand dollars out of pocket, putting them at an economic 

disadvantage against hearing individuals. 

After recognizing that such persecution exists we then have to ask what we are going to do about 

it. Every individual has a gift and a talent to share. Musicians can do their part to reduce global 

accessibility for marginalized groups by ensuring that music is accessible. To do that, musicians need to 

first determine how music is or is not accessible to various populations and communities. Achieving 

global accessibility in music is certainly a daunting task. However, it certainly must start somewhere. This 

project aims to achieve progress towards a more inclusive musical environment in the classroom. When 

underrepresented students are more included the community as a whole will benefit. 

 
SMITH INQUIRY PROJECT 3

References 

Fortin, Jacey. “The Statue at the Center of Charlottesville's Storm.” ​The New York Times​, The New York 

Times, 13 Aug. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/13/us/charlottesville-rally-protest-statue.html. 

“ICE Executes Federal Search Warrants at Multiple Mississippi Locations.” I​ CE​, 7 Aug. 2019, 

www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-executes-federal-search-warrants-multiple-mississippi-locations. 

Mroz, Mandy. “Sources of Financial Aid and Insurance for Hearing Aids.” H
​ ealthy Hearing​, 13 Aug. 2019, 

www.healthyhearing.com/help/hearing-aids/insurance-financial-assistance. 

Research Questions 

How can music become more accessible? 

How do historical and current events influence music accessibility?