The Many Faces of Black Joy

Activists play a critical role in society. They raise awareness around social issues and push for solutions that benefit the most vulnerable and marginalized people. Many activists also experience serious mental, emotional, and physical costs from playing this societal role, whether their activism is through art, writing, performing, teaching, protesting, organizing, or providing services.

Self-care and activism seem like they may not co-exist with one another, as Audre Lorde, activist and prolific writer, once notably said, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” In a world where just existing as a marginalized person is a challenge to the status quo, self-care and joy — for Black activists in particular — is an act of resistance to injustice. Self-care, particularly for activists who have marginalized identities, is important for both the success of their work and their own wellbeing.

In partnership with Target, who aims to support, uplift, and enable Black joy through recent social good initiatives, I recently interviewed four Black activists to understand their ideas on why joy and self-care are important forms of resistance to injustice and inequality.

Reggie Black, a multimedia artist, designer, speaker, mental health advocate, and principal of design studio all things progressive, when asked what joy and self-care looks like to him as an activist shared:

“Riding my bike brings me the most joy! Joy is an act of resistance because it presents this notion to ponder on: ‘can you feel good for yourself without needing a destination or tangible product?’ It challenges you to resist the forces of the outside world and look within. Cycling is an activity that has been a part of my life since childhood. There’s an explorative element to cycling that allows me to enjoy the process of the journey without focusing on the destination. Activating all of my physical senses at once without pressure creates a subconscious feeling of fulfillment and happiness.”

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Jay-Marie Hill (they/them), Founder and Lead Dreamer at Music Freedom Dreams, a consulting and production house, and the Statewide Trans Justice Organizer for the ACLU of Missouri, also shared a love of biking, as well as a passion for music as an act of self-care:

“Biking, playing saxophone and writing/playing and singing music for bass guitar all bring me joy … I would be by myself after direct actions or canvassing, and continually felt the need to soothe through the intensity I had just worked to organize others. I had picked up bass to play with a local band in need so it was the only instrument around when I wanted to soothe myself. It’s stuck and I plan to put out an album of these soothing songs in 2021. It took me a long time to validate the relaxation it brought to me and I’m committed to caring for folks beyond just our need to fight back. We all deserve to be cared for and sang to with such tender sonic textures.”

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Rayna, a prolific activist, union organizer, photographer, and film producer documenting the movement for Black liberation, also shared a love of music as a way to recharge:

“I take walks at sunset with my wife, I like to spend time in nature, and I play guitar. Self-care is important because we are fighting against a system that denies us justice which is spiritually, emotionally, and physically exhausting. In order to maintain the will to keep showing up in the face of adversity, it’s important to recharge.”

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Exploring nature is also a self-care act LC Johnson shared as a form of resistance and renewal. As the founder of a Zora’s House — a co-working space and leadership incubator that centers the healing, creativity, leadership, and activism of Black women and other women of color — LC knows the power of the outdoors:

“Even before we had kids, my husband and I would find whatever excuse we could to get outside – hiking, camping, or just enjoying a drink on a local restaurant rooftop or patio. But now as a mom, I get particular joy from instilling a love of nature into my little ones. African-Americans have always had a complicated relationship with the outdoors and yet so much of who we are and who we have been is tied to the land. Joy in 2020 has been watching my brown babies with the sunshine beaming down on their smiling faces.”

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LC also recounted how much replenishing your own reserves matters as a Black woman:

“I spent the bulk of my life pouring from a mostly empty cup and not even realizing it. Therapy and (surprisingly) motherhood have made me step back, reevaluate my own needs, and set boundaries around my time and emotional capacity. Boundary setting and voicing my needs to my friends, my family, and my partner have been particularly transformational for my self-care journey!”

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Joy and self-care aren’t just luxurious acts meant for the most privileged, they’re a state of mind and a necessary aspect of activism that replenishes those on the frontlines of social change.

This article is a sponsored collaboration between Target and G/O Media Studios.

Christina Blacken is a writer, performer, and public speaker on the topics of inclusive leadership and culture change, and is the founder of TheNewQuo.com, a leadership development and inclusion consultancy.