I asked a Black classmate what Black joy meant to her. She said, “To me, Black joy is when I see people of my color stand up for what’s right.” This is one thing that makes her happy, something she describes as Black joy. Seeing people of your color make a difference in a world where they are often unrecognized is a powerful example of Black joy.
When I think of Black joy, I think of the many things I love and enjoy doing. When I used to live in Africa, I lived on the far side of the city. One of the greatest things I loved was how neighbors would gather and share their stories, laugh, and celebrate together. In the evenings, kids would gather around and listen to the oldest members of the community tell tales they had heard from their parents. Sometimes we would be scared, sometimes we would laugh, and sometimes we would even cry because of the stories being told. Moments like these were beautiful. Even from afar, witnessing such moments would fill you with pure joy. When Black people come together, it creates joy. I like to call it beautiful.
When I asked my father what his Black joy was, he said that simply being Black brought him joy. His Black culture, his story, and the knowledge that he is loved by God no matter what others say are his sources of joy. This is very true. No matter what others say, it doesn’t matter when you know yourself and where you come from. That understanding brings joy, along with so many other things.
How to find joy
Finding joy starts within you. First, you learn who you are, and then you accept yourself. That’s where your joy begins. You can grow your joy by attending events that celebrate your identity and by surrounding yourself with people who understand and appreciate your story. Learning about your heritage and your people can build confidence in yourself. Standing up for yourself and being brave brings joy. Being who you are and pursuing what you want to be will always give you joy, no matter how others view it. Joy is yours to find.
Black healing
Healing is everywhere – in the music, the dancing, and the speeches. For me, healing comes through dancing, painting, listening to music, and writing. These activities make me feel like myself again and help lift my mood. There are countless ways for people to heal. My personal favorite is listening to my parents’ stories – their own experiences and memories.
Find the joy within yourself; it’s there. Share it and let it grow. Be who you are and know that you are enough.