My Black Joy
During the latest episode of my podcast with textile artist, Traci Johnson the concept of joy and experiencing joy came up. We specifically touched on black joy, in a world that talks about blackness only in oppressive terms we discussed how we experience joy. The fact that our joy isn't in opposition to racism in America but rather a state that is not impacted by race. In art we have a tone that often is dispelling racism and touching on traumatic topics, but what about now? Why don’t we see it in the media black happiness? As we live in a “post-black” world where our similarities with our counterparts may be stronger with people who do not share the same racial background. When I walk around the street I don't think in the context of my race, or gender. Realistically I think about my social economic status in the United States, I think about the job market and the cost of groceries. I say this all to say that the way I move through this universe not directly thinking through a “color” lens for a lack of better words is for artists of color. In the United States PoC artists have been regulated to having to stick under an umbrella when it is not even raining. In 2023 to be categorizing PoC artists by their racial background, and not by their medium, or period is insane. By not doing this the message is that black art cannot expand outside of racial identity, that this art has regulations and walls. Recently on TikTok, I have seen these soft life-themed videos. The concept is that talking about race is very much talking about trauma in a sense. Black women all over tiktok are choosing to not be defined by that outside opinion, that we deserve to be pilates princesses, and flaneurs, and live a life that isn't necessarily defined by struggle, but by truly living the beautiful moment. During my latest podcast with texture artist Traci Johnson, we talk about how we can productively speak on race without talking about tragedy. The facts are that my blackness and existence are once of color, brightness, and opportunity. I don't want to be victimized or categorized. Black joy uplifts, and oftentimes conversations on blackness lead to conversations on oppression and it just is a downward spiral from there. The Black Joy Movement actually started in 2020, and this makes complete sense. We exist in a world that is regulated and we do the same thing every day, but the pandemic allowed us, as people of color, or like me, a woman of color about how I want to be seen in the world, and what my purpose is. Black joy pushes the notion that I am not a victim, that this narrative isn’t for you to feel sorry for me, but to see the change that is occurring. To manifest, we need to see examples of black joy, and if you do not have one you have to lead by example. Yes, African-American history is resilient and powerful, and emotional, but that isn't the end of the story. Blackness for artists and humans, in general, is an attribute to the individual person, not an encompassing identity. Black joy proves that every individual has the control to dictate their happiness and their desires. The true beauty of Black joy lies then within the differences. Oftentimes during the pandemic, I practiced escapism. I was running away from the news, and the depressing narratives on the deaths of black lives. I know my life is more than a moment to advocate for racism, but to celebrate the parts you cannot see of me. I want you to take away from this that Black Joy doesn’t ignore the overall pain that African-Americans have suffered, but instead how we navigate through hard topics, and use our history to create a future that we all want to participate in. How do you interpret the concept of Black joy? Or your own joy?
XOXO
The Curatorial Blonde
