Music is instrumental to justice. Since music speaks to the soul, it has a way of touching and connecting people deeply. A songwriter can create a piece of art that strengthens and encourages the feelings of justice in an individual. Songs can cross barriers and connect people in shared feeling of justice and truth.
Music has been at the forefront of many justice-seeking movements; some of these songs are in our songbook (#169-We Shall Overcome, #170-We Are a Gentle, Angry People). When our beloved Unicamp was threatened by the proposed Mega-Quarry, a rally was held at Queen’s Park that began a five-day march to Melanchton County. Members of the Spirit Choir were there to sing Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody, The Earth is our Mother, I Am Determined, Come and Go With Me and more. Other marchers soon joined in feeling stronger and braver by the power in these songs and in singing them together. By raising our voices in the face of injustice we can participate in shared action for the care of our world.