‘Hear Your Voice’ – Danni Nicholls

Lynne writes:

“Being heard is so close to being loved that, for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” (David W. Augsburger, Caring Enough to Hear and Be Heard)

One drizzly morning in September 2019, sat in the ‘Honky Tonk’ venue on day two of The Long Road Festival, I had the great joy of discovering the wonderful Danni Nicholls and her beautiful music. It was a happy accident – my dad, sister and I had just attended the quiz event (we did not do well) and had nowhere in particular to be. So, because we had seats and it was miserable out, we stayed to see who would next take the stage. During Danni’s set, which largely featured her recently-released Melted Morning album, I found myself actually moved to tears, such was the power of the melody, lyrics and her gorgeous voice.

For me a stand-out track (on that stand-out album) is the soulful empowerment song, Hear Your Voice. It was co-written with the equally awesome Kyshona Armstrong, in the wake of the ‘Me Too’ movement and inspired by personal experience (and their anger and frustration at the way some women’s stories are dismissed or silenced). Hear Your Voice is a call for women everywhere with a story to tell to ‘sing it out’ and a message that we need to work towards everyone feeling safe to do this.

When you are ready to step into your power

The bridges you’ll burn will light your way

And when you are marching down that road

Know that you are not alone

When the curtain falls

And the cast is bowed

When the crowd is gone

And the light fades out

I wanna hear your voice

Sing it out

Whilst Hear Your Voice was written as a reaction to the marginalisation, abuse and manipulation of women, it is an effective call to allyship with oppressed and persecuted people everywhere.

Listening is the first step in being an ally, it’s the best way to tackle loneliness and isolation, it demolishes shame and stigma. Listening – especially to someone who is used to being ignored and devalued – holds great power – and gives power where previously people felt they had none.

I see the positive impact that listening can have in my work with young people who have grown too used to being dismissed as ‘trouble-makers’ or worse. Listening is the loving thing to do. It’s what Jesus did as he prioritised the powerless, drew people from the margins to the centre, and embodied a vision of shalom where everyone could flourish.

Every time Jesus interacted with women, with the ‘unclean’, with those of low social standing, we see Jesus serving as an ally.

As another woman I greatly respect, UK campaigner Gina Martin, says:

“[W]hen it comes to people from different backgrounds, with different experiences and especially from marginalised communities, your job is not to talk, but to listen. Then help them get their voices and experiences heard. Pass the mic.” (Gina Martin, Be the Change)

Find out more here: http://www.danninicholls.com