We’re Celebrating Black Joy As A New Aspect Of Resilience
This is your poetic reminder that experiencing black joy is an act of resilience. It’s totally acceptable to be compassionate and gentle with yourself. It’s okay to give yourself permission to experience ease, pleasure, and gratitude.
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “black joy”? It could be dancing in traditional festivals, eating fresh fruit, basking in the sun, or celebrating a vibrant history and culture.
Perhaps it’s black girl magic. The fact that you’re beautiful, radiant, and all-powerful.
Black joy has received more attention in recent years because it challenges the societal narrative of black history, which is frequently associated with pain and struggle.
According to an AARP article, the origins of black joy can be traced back to the beginnings of black history. From culture to sovereignty, religious beliefs, and overcoming adversity. Our stories, journeys, dances, and songs are full of black joy. There is no hope without black joy. Black joy is a catalyst in fostering change ahead.
Black joy is different from other forms of joy in that it’s soulful, generational, and celebratory. It tells a story. Black joy is legacy.
Black joy is swaying hips, kumbaya hymns, and belly laughter. Dip your polished toe into a salt-filled beach and find black joy. It’s floating above the noise. It’s enjoying the moment- this moment, with no regrets.
Black joy is a sense of knowing our roots, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. It is about constructing a new narrative and broadening the definition of what it means to be a member of a global society.
Black joy is not a victim story. Black joy is a hallelujah story. Black joy is a releasing of your burden and an embracing of your worth.
Black joy as an act of resilience looks like…
Creating influence to sway the narrative. Allowing yourself more self-love, self-compassion, and self-forgiveness. Taking responsibility for your life. Showing up as dynamic, multifaceted individuals. Seeking out, taking advantage of, and creating opportunities for expansion. Asking for what you want and being open to receiving it. More gratification, enjoyment, and leisure.
Black joy does not eliminate the difficulties or biases that may come up in daily life. It does, however, emphasize that we have the ability to sway the narrative, even if only in our own lives. We constantly seek global change while overlooking the fact that change begins with us, regardless of our circumstances, mindset, health, or emotions. Consider your future vision and align your goals with it. March to the beat of your own drum. Thrive. Celebrate black joy as a new act of resilience.