Great Grief

What is the sound of a breaking heart? How do you grow a new one in the echo of loss?

Grief has been and continues to be abundant as we witness the escalation of some of the most gruesome evils begat by the oppressive systems of this world. The brutality and dehumanization, the structural violence, the destruction of communities—it has all been heartbreaking to watch and experience.

With her podcast, celebrated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon uses story and song to lull us into an intimate exploration of Black women’s personal and structural grief, and how Black women are always expected to swallow their grief rather than allowing it to bloom, rather than tending to their grief in the loving company of other Black women.

In the episode titled “Ashes, Ashes,” Nnenna Freelon consults Mother Nature and a Black woman hemp farmer to lean into the possibility of growth in harsh environments and bitter seasons.

In an interview with Alysia Harris, Scalawag magazine’s Arts & Soul Editor-at-Large, Nnenna Freelon says, “I think we’re confused basically fundamentally about what grief is. What is grief? It truly is love. It truly is creativity. I’m trying to find a way to fall back in love with life. I’m trying to find reasons to get up in the morning, excitement about what’s coming. Grief says you got to build that yourself girl. That is something you have to do. So my explorations into music and into this podcast are all efforts on my part. To find ways to just be in love with my life again.”

“Black Iris,” from the album Beneath the Skin.

Nnenna Freelon (host/creator) is a Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, music educator, arts advocate, producer, and arranger who has achieved international acclaim in both recording and live performance.

Listen to Great Grief at scalawagmagazine.org/great-grief.