Power of Rhythm

     Does rhythm create unity? It seems that way, based on my observations of crowd behavior at presidential campaign rallies.
     A marching band warmed up an audience during a rally for President Obama. When the percussion unit (seen in photo) performed, folks gyrated to its beat. When Obama showed up, the crowd was all the more juiced.
     A pulse of rhythm broke out at a rally for Paul Ryan, the Republican VP nominee. Some people shouted together, "USA! USA!"
     During a rally for Joe Biden, the Democratic VP nominee, an individual shouted, "Four More Years!" Four More Years!" Seconds later, hundreds of people joined the refrain. Hands raised with four fingers stabbing the air. Another cadence. Another outburst of unity.
     At an event with Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, a crowd roared, "Four more weeks! Four more weeks!" This chant, uttered four weeks before election day, called for the defeat of Biden and Obama. In a crowd of ten thousand, most people were strangers to each other. By reciting together this spoofed up chant, they experienced unity.
    While in the womb, the first sounds we detected were the rhythmic thump-thump-thumps of our mothers' hearts. It's no wonder that the first bonds we made--our first tastes of unity--were with our mothers.
     Rhythm is primal. Rhythm is fun. Rhythm turns many into a one.