The Power of Voice

By Theodora Lau & Bradley Leimer

Music — and voice — have the unique power to bridge language barriers, bringing nations and people together. From the song “You’ve Got a Friend” sung by London City Voices choir, to the global concert of artists from around the world organized by Global Citizen, these events demonstrate that crisis can bring out the best melody of humanity. 

We are stronger together.

The verses of songs hold the capacity of uniting us, in a way quite different than how words may divide. The faculty of voice, the emotion of music, the way a truth unfolds among chords, it can bring us together, especially when we need it most. Through times of famine, through times of sorrow, and now through times of pandemic and fear. The refrain remains the same: hope. 

But the sound this time has become more muddled.   

The story of coronavirus isn’t about task force briefings held by so-called leaders, who are more worried about political agenda and optics than responsibility and human lives. It’s not a story about the stock market, corporate bailouts, or the reopening economies. It’s not a story of the first world problems of isolation, of trying to find flour and bake that instagram-worthy bread. It’s not a story about the trials of working from home or distance learning.     

It’s none of that. 

This is a story of human resilience, of the millions of people working around the clock to keep our world running, to keep us safe. It is a story about human kindness and the self-sacrifice of healthcare professionals risking their lives so that we can have ours. It is a story about how deep structural inequalities of our society are exposed — about how divided we are — digitally, economically, and culturally.  

But it is also a story that gives us hope and aspirations — that we can emerge from this crisis stronger and better; more empathetic and more inclusive. Viruses do not care about the color of our skin, how much money we have (or not have) in our bank accounts, what religion we subscribe to, and what political affiliation we belong to. We are all in this together — we are more connected — as a global community — than we ever were.

It is up to all of us — to use our collective voices — to speak up for those who aren’t being heard; to bring us all closer together — as we try to figure out our way out of the darkness and uncertainty. We must find this light as we begin to rebuild society after this moment of crisis — and this time of significant reflection. 

It is up to all of us — to write the next chapter of our history — together — as one voice.