SPOTLIGHT ON ABORTION CARE & REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
Healing with Art & Activism
Written by Becky Martin, AMSA Senior Manager of Reproductive Health Advocacy
During our collective COVID shutdown we were reminded of the power of music to nurture and heal by the Singing Surgeons Dr. Elvis Francois and Dr. William Robinson.
This week, we mark the passing of a clarion voice for justice, a voice that united art and activism. A voice that ignited passion calling “people to pay attention to issues that need addressing.” A voice that co-founded the SNCC Freedom Singers, and started Sweet Honey and the Rock — Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon died at the age of 81 on Tuesday morning — may she rest in peace and power.
Much like Rudolf Virchow, “one of the founders of social medicine” did, after recognizing “poverty caused disease as much as germs” and understanding “both the politician and the physician had a moral obligation to heal society,” by calling mid-19th-century physicians to advocate for public health practices and serve as “attorney for the poor,” Dr. Reagon recognized
“artists really had a big role to play in challenging our society and culture
to transform itself and to do better.”
Dr. Reagon talked with Democracy Now over the years about the Freedom Songs. She spoke eloquently about the organizing role of music in the civil rights movement; and about how, as we saw with the Singing Surgeons, shared song can nurture and unite people with different life experiences in action.
She had a deep appreciation of the value of young people in creating a better future in our shared world, along with a special understanding of how we stand on the shoulders of giants who’ve come before. If you are not already familiar with the inspirational words and music of Sweet Honey and the Rock I invite you to explore these historic interviews – Legendary Civil Rights Singers Part 1 and Part 2.
As we face the realities of challenges presented by our current profits before people (patients and providers) healthcare non-system in the United States – including our outrageously high and growing rate of maternal mortality – the need for nurturing, healing and connections across our communities is clear. Lifting voices in the call for a high-quality, affordable and sustainable healthcare system that ensures access and reproductive freedom and justice for all is essential – together we can make a difference!
The words of Ella Baker set beautifully in song by Dr. Reagon in Ella’s Song are a keen reminder:
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
Until the killing of black men, black mothers’ sons
Is as important as the killing of white men, white mothers’ sons
That which touches me most is that I had a chance to work with people
Passing on to others that which was passed on to me
To me young people come first, they have the courage where we fail
And if I can but shed some light as they carry us through the gale
The older I get the better I know that the secret of my going on
Is when the reins are in the hands of the young, who dare to run against the storm
Not needing to clutch for power, not needing the light just to shine on me
I need to be one in the number as we stand against tyranny
Struggling myself don’t mean a whole lot, I’ve come to realize
That teaching others to stand up and fight is the only way my struggle survives
I’m a woman who speaks in a voice and I must be heard
At times I can be quite difficult, I’ll bow to no man’s word
We who believe in freedom cannot rest
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes
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*Note: an excerpt of this Spotlight is included in AMSA Reproductive Health Project eNews #25: Healing with Art & Activism, July 20, 2024
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