Singing Through Grief: A Different Kind of Activism

The recent spate of devastating news stories has left many feeling defeated and disconnected from their sense of agency in the world. For those struggling to cope with feelings of despair, it’s easy to get caught up in a cycle of numbness and denial. However, confronting grief head-on through collective action can be a more effective approach.

Gathering with others to sing about pain can break down numbness and connect people on a deeper level. Ahlay Blakely, a modern-day grief ritualist and songwriter, has built her career around creating spaces for people to process their emotions through music. Her approach emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and connection in singing.

Blakely’s method is rooted in the idea that singing is not about performance or technical skill, but rather about opening oneself up to pain and allowing vulnerability with others. By doing so, individuals can tap into a deeper sense of hope and possibility. As scholar Walter Brueggemann notes, lament is not just an expression of sadness, but a necessary step towards retrieving new life.

Research suggests that group singing releases oxytocin – often referred to as the “love hormone” – which increases feelings of connection and well-being. In contrast, ordinary social interaction does not have the same impact.

For those struggling with grief, Blakely advises embracing their pain rather than trying to overcome it. Author Carla Fernandez notes, “Grief is not messy – it’s wildly fertile.” By acknowledging and working through their emotions, individuals can tap into a deeper sense of creativity and possibility.

This approach has implications beyond personal healing. In an era where activism often feels like a solitary pursuit, collective singing offers a different kind of resistance that acknowledges the complexity of human emotion and allows for connection and empathy in the face of adversity.

Incorporating singing into activism can help build more effective movements for change by tapping into a deeper sense of community and collective purpose. Whether it’s gathering with friends to sing about pain or joining a local choir, people can connect with others through music.

Ahlay Blakely has created an album of grief songs that listeners can join in on, while Laurel Premo’s Laments is another resource for those looking to tap into their emotions through music. Digital tools are also available for creating sounds that help individuals open up to grief.

The key takeaway here is not just about individual healing but collective action. By embracing pain and allowing vulnerability with others, people can build more effective movements for change – ones that recognize the complexity of human emotion and allow for connection and empathy in the face of adversity.

As we move forward in this uncertain world, it’s time to rethink what activism looks like. Collective singing may be the catalyst needed to tap into a deeper sense of hope and possibility – one that acknowledges the power of vulnerability and connection in the face of despair.