Music

It's incredible how music can form deep connection among people. It's amazing to me how closely people can come together over a rhythmic beat. From this trip, I've become more spiritual with the idea music as a soothing, healing and community building method. There have been countless experiences on this trip that have demonstrated connection through song. At nights I've gone to bars with local friends and friends from Minneapolis, we've bonded over knowing the same lyrics to a song and dancing together. I've met mothers and children that played songs in their homes that I knew every lyric to and we sang together happily, once again collectively appreciating music. Tonight, my social justice class gathered together to enjoy a braai and danced to vibrant rhythmic drumming. There is a certain liberation that is experienced while dancing and singing. It's beautiful that a community can intertwine through song and rhythm. The history of black Africans and African Americans using music and song as a ways of communication to deal with the pain and oppression during the Apartheid and slavery is incredibly inspirational to me. To me, that itself proves how the power of music can heal and save a community of people through strength and hope. Music is crucial!