Hispanic vs. White Incomes: the effect on classical music

 

If we look at how white classical music remains, we see that concepts of “the other” remain.  For one thing, people of color often do not have the money to pay for the instruments, lessons, and practice space children need to learn classical music.

 

On March 23, 2007 the New York Times noted that white (non-Hispanic) families in Manhattan with toddlers had a median income of $284,208 a year in 2005.

For Hispanic families with toddlers, the median income was only $25,467.  That’s less than one tenth the amount of whites.  We might theorize about the imaginary qualities of “the other”, but, of course, they are a concrete part of social reality.  (I can send the URL for the Times article if anyone needs it.)

 

William Osborne