The Weight of the Timeline
Scroll through any social media platform focused on news or current events, and the content about Black people often follows a pattern: trauma, injustice, struggle, pain. Important issues, certainly. But when that's the dominant narrative, it takes a toll.
There's power in witnessing injustice and demanding accountability. There's also power in witnessing joy and remembering what we're fighting for.
Black joy isn't escapism or denial of real problems. It's affirmation of the fullness of Black life. It's resistance against narratives that reduce us to our suffering. It's fuel for the long journey toward justice.
What Is Black Joy?
Black joy is more than happiness. It's:
Cultural Celebration: Family reunions, cookouts, line dances, church services, game nights—the traditions that bond us
Creative Expression: Music, dance, art, fashion, literature—the beauty we create and share
Community Connection: The warmth of being with your people, understood without explanation
Personal Triumph: Graduations, promotions, business launches, personal victories—individual wins that lift us all
Simple Pleasures: A good meal, a funny moment, a perfect song—everyday delights that make life sweet
Ancestral Honor: Recognizing that our joy is what our ancestors dreamed of and fought for
Black joy is choosing to live fully despite circumstances that would have us merely survive.
Why It Matters
Mental Health
Constant exposure to negative content about your community affects mental health. Research shows that repeated exposure to news about violence and injustice against Black people can cause symptoms similar to PTSD.
Intentionally consuming and creating joyful content is a mental health strategy. It's not ignoring problems—it's balancing awareness with wellness.
Narrative Power
When the only stories told about Black people center suffering, that becomes the dominant narrative. It shapes how others see us and how we see ourselves.
Black joy content expands the narrative. It shows the world—and reminds ourselves—that Black life encompasses the full range of human experience.
Resistance
Toni Morrison said, "The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction." Being forced to constantly address our pain keeps us from creating, building, thriving, and yes, enjoying life.
Black joy is resistance. It says: "We will not be defined by our struggles. We will not let racism steal our ability to experience happiness."
Preservation
Joy is part of our cultural heritage. The music, the humor, the celebrations, the way we find light in darkness—this is worth preserving and passing on.
When we share Black joy, we're archiving culture for future generations.
Creating Space for Black Joy
On Social Media
Curate Your Feed: Follow accounts that share positive Black content alongside news and commentary
Create Balance: If you share content about injustice, balance it with content about joy
Start Traditions: #BlackBoyJoy, #BlackGirlMagic, and similar hashtags create spaces for positive content
Celebrate Out Loud: Don't hesitate to post your wins, your happy moments, your celebrations
In Your Life
Protect Your Joy: Set boundaries around negativity. Not every battle is yours to fight every day.
Create Rituals: Regular practices that generate joy—family dinners, friend gatherings, self-care routines
Document Happiness: Take photos and videos of joyful moments. They become resources for harder days.
Share the Joy: Your happiness can inspire others. Let your joy be visible.
In Communities
Celebration Culture: Make space in community gatherings for celebration, not just organizing
Highlight Success: Recognize and publicize community wins
Create Joyful Events: Not every gathering needs to be about addressing problems
The False Choice
Some argue that focusing on joy ignores serious problems, or that celebrating during times of injustice is inappropriate. This presents a false choice.
We can hold multiple truths:
- Injustice demands attention AND joy deserves space
- We must fight for change AND we must live fully now
- Acknowledging pain is important AND celebrating joy is essential
The goal isn't choosing between awareness and happiness. It's integrating both into a sustainable approach to life and liberation.
Black Joy in Media and Content
What to Seek Out
TV and Film: Black romantic comedies, family stories, and dramas that don't center trauma
Literature: Books that showcase Black joy, love, and triumph
Social Media: Creators who prioritize positivity and celebration
Music: Artists and songs that make you feel good
Podcasts: Shows focused on Black culture, humor, and positive conversation
Supporting Joy-Focused Creators
Black creators who focus on positive content deserve support:
- Follow, like, comment, and share their work
- Support financially when possible
- Recommend them to others
- Engage with their content to boost algorithmic visibility
A Daily Practice
Making Black joy part of your daily life:
Morning: Start with something that makes you smile—music, a funny video, a grateful thought
Throughout the Day: Notice moments of joy, however small. Let yourself feel them fully.
Evening: Reflect on what brought happiness today. Share a joy with someone you love.
Intentionally: Seek out and consume Black joy content regularly
The Bigger Picture
Black joy isn't a distraction from the work of justice—it's part of the work. It's claiming our right to happiness. It's proving that attempts to diminish us have failed. It's creating the world we're fighting for in the present tense.
When we center Black joy, we're saying: this is what we're protecting. This is what we're building toward. This is who we are—not defined by our struggle, but by our full humanity.
Joy is our birthright. Let's claim it.
What brings you joy? Share what makes your heart happy with the community.
