Abolition in Practice: Joy in troubled times

“Joy rarely feels comfortable or easy, because it transforms and reorients people and relationships. Rather than the desire to exploit, control, and direct others, it is resonant with emergent and collective capacities to do things, make things, undo painful habits, and nurture enabling ways of being together.” From Joyful Militancy by Nick Montgomery and carla bergman

In the last session we talked about grief. This session we will explore the question of joy in our movements. What is the place of joy in our activism, lives and work given the violence we are experiencing and witnessing? What are the obstacles for BPOC experiencing and celebrating joy and is it possible or desirable to reclaim it? How is joy defined under capitalist structures and what would it be like to do it differently? How is it relevant to abolitionism? 

Resources to explore

Joyful Militancy: Building Thriving Resistance in Toxic Times by Nick Montgomery and carla bergman 

Pleasure Activism – Adrienne Maree Brown Videos here and here and book 

Kai Cheng Thom video 

Joy Unspeakable – Barbara Holmes book 

About Abolition in Practice Group

This is a free, monthly, online, peer-led space for Black People and People of Colour * (While we use this language, we recognize the limitations and the charge around these terms and that you may identify with different terms—we want to welcome you in all the ways you may self-define)collectively working toward mental health justice, racial justice, and abolition—whether through activism, advocacy, peer support, or community care. Grounded in intentional peer support principles, it’s a space for connection, reflection, and learning outside of harmful systems.