Joy as Justice
Black women deserve joy that doesn’t come with suffering first.
For too long, Black women have been taught that joy must be earned through pain.
You get joy after the struggle.
You get joy after you’ve proven your strength.
You get joy after you’ve carried everyone else’s burden.
You get joy after you’ve survived what should’ve killed you.
But sis joy is not a reward. Joy is your right.
Your laughter is holy.
Your dancing is sacred.
Your smile is rebellion.
Your joy is justice.
Because in a world that has tried to break you, your joy says: “You did not win.”
In a world that profits off your exhaustion, your joy says: “I still choose life.”
In a world that silenced your ancestors’ laughter, your joy says: “I reclaim what was stolen.”
Sis, your joy heals generations.
When you laugh, you heal the women who were too tired to.
When you dance, you heal the women who never got the chance.
When you live out loud, you heal the women who were told to shrink.
Joy is not frivolous. Joy is not silly. Joy is not extra.
Joy is survival turned into celebration. Joy is proof of fr…
