E-Book of Articles - World Federation of Music Therapy

Amir, Dorit: The Role Of Music Therapy In Establishing Cultural Identity ...
4. What are my own dilemmas and thoughts as a clinician and as a head
of a music therapy program in regard to these issues?
In my music therapy clinical work and training program, singing serves as a
main contributing force to the creation of the “Israeli identity” that, for a
moment, overshadows all ethnic variations and cultural conflicts. We saw
that with Ana, the Russian student, when the group sang for her the song.
Yet, Ana chose to reject her past in order to feel a sense of belonging. She
thought that in order to feel part of the Israeli society, she needs to forget
her roots and completely adopt the new identity. Will Ana give up aspects of
her authentic self that have to do with her national and individual history, in
order to adjust to the new country, to the more suitable, accepted and
successful models in order to become Israeli? Will she go all the way in
assimilation in the Israeli society until she won't even ask the question of who
she is and what is her real will? And what is my role as the teacher/therapist
here? On one hand, I loved the warm welcome of the group and the way
they accepted her. On the other hand, I want her to keep her own
individuality, not to give up important and integral aspects of her identity.
If I encourage her to sing in Russian, I force her to show parts of her that are
different from the rest of the group and she does not want to expose them
at this time. If I accept the fact that she does not want to sing, maybe I
participate in the conspiracy to deny her true voice and therefore not to
have the possibility of adjusting in a more balanced way into the Israeli
society. The question if past tradition has to be preserved or rejected is a
very personal one. There is not a simple answer.
Rosi, the religious student, brought other challenges and conflicts: can a
student who is so extremely attached to one style of music and cannot
identify herself with other styles, work with people who have different taste
and have other political opinions? Or maybe she can only work with a very
limited population and not with others? What do I do with the fact that I
find her personally very extreme and fanatic and I don't like her? Will I be
able to cope with my feelings and not let them in the way, and treat her
like I treat other students?
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