A non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy
All who wish to participate in shape-note singing are welcome to:
- Lift their voices in song
- Lead in the square
- Compose shape-note music
- Revise and publish tune books
- Serve as officers and directors, and
- Participate free from discrimination and harassment
regardless of:
- Musical experience or ability
- Religious affiliation or lack thereof
- Race, ethnicity, national or family origin
- Gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity
- Age
- Disability
Any participant has the right to call attention to a possible infraction and have it addressed fairly.
Events and organizations are urged to publicly identify a group or mechanism responsible for investigating and addressing alleged violations of these norms.
Comments
For our purposes, harassment is unwelcome conduct based on these characteristics that creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive singing environment.
Discrimination and harassment do occur in the context of shape-note events.‡ A proactive approach to preventing misconduct is preferable to relying on remedial measures once infractions have taken place. Singing events and organizations should implement measures to reduce the likelihood of misconduct. These include transparent policies, safe reporting channels, and strong leadership and role models. Events and organizations that do not establish clear standards for behavior or provide mechanisms for reporting and enforcement bear some responsibility for the harassment. Promptly addressing reports of harassment can help reduce the risk that incidents become more severe or pervasive. Fostering a culture of respect for diversity and inclusion will diminish the amount of discrimination and harassment we encounter.
In the wake of the personal attacks that composers and revisers have recently endured, a non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy is needed more than ever. This differs from a Code of Conduct in that it deals with who “belongs” and who does not. A Code of Conduct has to address a range of behaviors at singings, whereas a non-discrimination policy establishes more fundamental principles of inclusion and participation.
Much of the recent harassment and exclusionary gatekeeping has focused on identity, especially gay/trans, and religious affiliation. A clear and strong statement that such discrimination is unacceptable helps reduce the risk of its recurrence. Discriminatory remarks and conduct based on these characteristics are unacceptable in the context of shape-note singing.
‡Harassment and discrimination in the shape-note context are not necessarily more or less prevalent than other cultural settings or workplaces. The important point is that they exist, and are reasonably common. Singing religious texts has not made us immune.
Sources
Riddle Compliance. (n.d.). Enforcing the code of conduct: Disciplinary actions and consequences. “Preventing Misconduct with a Strong Code of Conduct.” https://riddlecompliance.com/enforcing-the-code-of-conduct-disciplinary-actions-and-consequences/
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). Model EEO programs must have an effective anti-harassment program. In 1980, “EEOC informed the public that prevention is the best tool for the elimination of harassment and generally suggested a number of ways to prevent harassment, including the issuance of anti-harassment policies.” https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/model-eeo-programs-must-have-effective-anti-harassment-program
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Sexual harassment of women: Climate, culture, and consequences in academic sciences, engineering, and medicine. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/24994
—David Brodeur, October 2026
This page: https://tinyurl.com/equal-access-2026