The bullies in the pulpit are fighting about freedom of speech again. Aren’t they always?
Honestly, I think freedom of speech is tired, it’s been reduced, reused, and goddamn recycled a million times. Like can we all just like move on?
Here’s what I’m thinking…what about freedom of song? Huh?
Why is it that whenever I sing my words, I’m supposed to be aware that that’s unusual?
Sorry I’m a free spirit? Sorry I have the whimsy of song in my heart? Like…
If we all just started singing in public more often, we wouldn’t be annoyed by the theatre kids’ post-show performance at Denny’s. Think about how much easier your life would be as a Denny’s frequenter if you didn’t have to worry about how annoying a group of people singing there is. What if you did the work of deconstructing your speech-normativity and joined in?
If you’ve ever cried to a marching band, a written or performed song, or the general feeling of voices in unison around a single instrument, you should agree with me here.
Our society is too complex for us to limit audible communication to speech in the every day—there are too many expressions to express, and honestly, my speaking register can’t quite reach the octaves my brain, heart, and soul do.
What if I want to sing my condolences to your grieving mother? Why should everybody think that’s inappropriate when essentially the reason you died is because your song wasn’t written in as appropriate in the bylines of the bill of rights?
Why should the songbird submit to the Eagle’s screech? Because the Eagle is more conventional? Whose voice is it that offers your everyday symphony? Not the Eagle’s, that’s for sure.
Would it be so bad for you to try out your warble?
Sing of things unknown but longed for still*
Sing your shower routine aloud
Sing your final presentation
Sing freedom
Sing protest
Hum notes of discord when your chords are fried
Drink salves and spoon honey because your projection deserves to be healthy and soothed.
We must sing if we cannot speak. And if we can speak, we should sing anyway.
You don’t have to wait to utilize a part of yourself until necessary.
Some people may say singing your speech won’t ever be necessary. Those people, frankly, suck.
‘Cause yeah, maybe it won’t be, probably not, even, if we’re being honest.
But try it out anyway because nobody likes a nay-sayer who hasn’t tried anything for themselves.
Don’t worry about being off-key; I am most of the time on purpose.
As long as you’re hitting a note, I have nothing further to add.
*borrowed from I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
