As a Black woman, I can experience joy and Black joy simultaneously.
Black joy is an affirmation of our humanity, our breath, our love,our laughter.
But Black joy couldnt exist without the presence of anger.
Marina Esmeraldo/Adobe Stock
Artist and community organizerChaka Mkaliprovides an insightful distinction on the relationship between hot anger and cold anger.
Cold anger is calculated, allowing you the opportunity to think and strategize.
Youre in it for the long haul.
That cold anger doesnt snuff out my Black joy.
Instead, it makes my Black joy even more meaningful.
When I give myself permission to justbewith the entirety of my emotions, Black joy rests at the center.
Thus, self-care and Black joy become a radical embodiment of liberation,as Audre Lorde famously expressed.
Here are the tools I use to cultivate my Black joy and protect my peace.
Yoga
Ive usedyogaas a continual practice to support myself-carejourney over the past 14 years.
After a 200-hour training, I became a registered yoga teacher and cofoundedBK Yoga Clubin Brooklyn.
Yoga is an invitation to be with it all.
Breath work and meditation
Intentional breathingandmeditationhelp me affirm and connect with my existence.
Community self-care
My individual self-care practice wouldnt be possible without community self-care.
There is no I in wellness,Rebeckah Price, wellness advocate and founder ofIRISE Yoga, tells SELF.
Our collective joy is directly connected to the collective we in wellness.
This was an opportunity for women to process the uncertainty of quarantine and feel less isolated.
All of these activities have supported me in developing stronger relationships and feeling more connected.
A vital part of continuing to cultivate Black joy for me is talktherapy.
In therapy, I have been able to process my process.
When you choose therapy, youre choosing yourself.
Creativity
Mycreativeand wellness practices are intricately connected to my self-care practice.
As a poet and songwriter, I find joy in telling stories.
The more we tell our stories, the more we are able to see ourselves in each other.
As a mover, dance is a celebration and visual representation of my joy.
Cultivating Black joy is not a linear process.
We must protect our joy and meet ourselves with gratitude, patience, and love.
Ultimately, Black joy is necessary for our continued ability to thrive.
