By Aswad Walker | Houston Defender | Word In Black
This post was originally published on Defender Network
(WIB) – When the world insists on weighing us down, when the headlines scream of rights under attack and communities under siege, Black people have a way of flipping the script.
We laugh. We dance. We paint, we sing, we cook, we love—and somehow, in the face of what feels unbearable, we create joy.
And not the kind of joy that denies reality. No, this joy is sharp, rooted and deeply aware. It is joy that knows what it costs to be alive and Black in America—and still chooses to shine anyway.
That’s what makes Black joy radical.
For too long, our worth has been measured by our suffering. Society expects us to perform resilience as if pain is our only register. But joy is a refusal. Joy says, “I am more than what you try to reduce me to.” Joy is a survival strategy, a cultural inheritance and fuel for the fight ahead.
Joy Is Resistance
Think of the way gospel choirs turn sorrow into hallelujahs. How a grandmother’s laughter can dissolve the weight of a hard week. How a young poet on a Houston stage bends words into new worlds. Or how Beyoncé drops a joyful anthem and suddenly the whole diaspora is moving, smiling and remembering who we are.
These moments are not frivolous. They are acts of defiance in a society that profits from our pain. Joy interrupts the script that says we must always be burdened, always broken, always struggling. To laugh, to love, to create beauty even on hostile soil—this is resistance.
Joy Strengthens Us
Black joy is also medicine. The constant stress of racism, injustice and political attacks can leave scars on our bodies and our spirits. Studies show that chronic stress shortens lifespans and weakens health, particularly in Black communities. But joy—through laughter, art, music, community gatherings—literally heals. It lowers stress hormones, builds bonds of trust and protects mental health.
In other words, joy is not just about feeling good in the moment. It’s about equipping ourselves to keep going, to keep fighting, to keep building the world we deserve.
Joy Is Communal
Black joy is rarely solitary. It’s a cookout, a step team, a block party, a Juneteenth parade, a baby shower, a church potluck. It’s the inside jokes passed down in families, the side-eyes and nods of recognition between strangers who share the same struggle. Joy weaves community tighter. And community, in turn, keeps joy alive.
When we gather to celebrate our culture and affirm our worth, we remind each other that we’re not in this alone. When we invest in Black creatives—painters, dancers, comedians, writers and musicians—we amplify joy for the whole community. Our culture has always been our lifeline.
Reclaiming Joy
In times like these, joy can feel almost guilty. With rights being stripped away, policies rolling back progress and violence still haunting our neighborhoods, is it okay to laugh, to dance, to celebrate? The answer is yes—and not only okay, but necessary.
Joy doesn’t erase struggle. It gives us the energy to face it. Think of joy as fuel in the tank, fire in the belly, light on the path. Without it, the fight drains us dry. With it, we can last.
So, the next time you find yourself smiling at a Black child twirling in the sun, laughing at a TikTok skit, vibing to new music by your favorite artist, or losing yourself in a mural that speaks to your soul—know that it’s bigger than a fleeting moment. It’s survival. It’s a strategy. It’s resistance.
And it’s ours.
What You Can Do
- Celebrate culture daily: Don’t wait for big festivals. Honor the small moments of joy in music, food and connection.
- Support Black creatives: Buy the book, attend the play, share the art, tip the musician.
- Build communal joy: Host gatherings, block parties or community art events. Joy multiplies when shared.
- Protect mental health: Laugh, rest and lean on joy as a tool for resilience.
- Reclaim joy unapologetically: Remember—joy is not trivial. It is resistance.