Permission to Prioritize
CONTENT WARNING: This post mentions death and loss. It also speaks of joy, but should the discussion of loss be challenging for you right now, please come back to this post later.
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This past weekend I prioritized #BlackJoy. During my school’s Black History Month assembly, I spoke about the importance of #BlackJoy, especially during moments of resistance to oppression.
Last week/weekend was heavy for many in the Black community as triggering videos of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery went viral, news of the murder of Breonna Taylor at the hands of police spread, and several Black entertainment icons passed away.
It was a reminder that injustice and loss don’t “shelter in place” or take breaks during pandemics.
Every other Saturday I’m scheduled for a Zoom catch-up with members of my high school graduating class. This Saturday Bingo was planned. Shortly before the catch-up, my co-planner, André, and I started getting texts from people saying they’d be late because they were tuning into the Jill Scott and Erykah Badu Instagram Live show. André and I decided to postpone the Bingo night and center #BlackJoy. There was so much beauty in that night; three hours of Black sisterhood, Black music, Black celebration, Black memories, and Black love. It countered the heaviness and created space for healing.
It was a reminder that joy must be central in our resistance so that our work and our fight for justice can be sustained.
As we continue to navigate this pandemic and all of its ripple effects, I give you permission to prioritize. Prioritize your joy, health, wellness, and family. Prioritize your need to pause, reschedule, or simply cancel. Prioritize your need to rest and recharge.
Permission to prioritize granted.
Take care (of yourself and others),
Tamisha
*Image descriptions:
Picture 1: a screenshot of Nikkolas Smith’s portrait of Ahmaud Arbery that he posted to his Instagram account @nikkolas_smith.
Picture 2: a screenshot of Giselle Matz’s digital portrait of Breonna Taylor. Breonna’s portrait is hugged with floral decorations. The caption around her portrait reads, “Justice for Breonna Taylor”