It’s important to understand where we are right now. Things are dark and unknown. Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the entire administration are arbiters of chaos, dysfunction, and corruption. Democrats have essentially no power in the federal government, and more and more, it seems like there are no adults in the room. Human rights and the rule of law are being eroded daily. It’s hard to know what to do. It feels like there’s no leadership at all time when we need to fight, and we don’t know how to do so effectively. Underlying all of this is the crushing understanding that real people, including those we know, love, and care about, will suffer and die because of what Trump, Musk, and Republicans are doing.
So why on earth should we be joyful with all of this doom and gloom constantly surrounding us?
There are many answers to this question, but in short, the doom and gloom necessitate joyful resistance. Joy keeps us sane. Joy keeps us healthy. Joy strengthens our communities and relationships. Joy is a value that keeps us clear-eyed, passionate, and energized in our pursuit of our mission. Our energy, especially joyful energy, builds confidence in our policies and goals. People are drawn to joy, and we can build interest and engagement in our coalition not just because it’s right but also because it’s fun. Perhaps most importantly, our joy is a tool. The opposition would like nothing better than for each and every one of us to curl up into a ball and give up in despair. They revel in “liberal tears” and could accomplish their horrific goals much faster without anyone standing in the way. The more we can bring joy and energy to our resistance, the more wind we take out of their sails.
This isn’t a new or groundbreaking idea; there are many lessons we can learn from activists who have come before us. The civil rights movement was sustained on Black joy, not merely suffering. Dan Savage, a queer activist during the AIDS crisis, said,
“During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, we buried our friends in the morning, protested in the afternoon, and danced all night. The dance kept us going because it was the dance we were fighting for. It didn’t look like we were going to win, and we did. It doesn’t feel like we’re going to win now, but we could. Keep fighting, keep dancing.”
This is a reminder not to lose the essence of what we’re fighting for. Being in the fight, doing the work, showing up, and embodying joy in the face of uncertainty is an act of resistance.
Music, art, and creative expression have often been at the heart of successful political movements. Blues and jazz were essential to the civil rights movement, and folk music was a big part of the resistance to the Vietnam War. Many musical genres continue to lean heavily into anti-authoritarian, anti-war, and anti-racist themes. Music and art, in many ways, embody joy and freedom. They can be a tool to fight back and share the messages of the movement.
There’s no right or wrong way to resist joyfully. As a community, we can create spaces for joy, connection, and mutual aid where we can organize and build our strength and resilience. We can embrace diversity and cultural traditions and celebrate them, especially in BIPOC communities, to resist assimilation. And, of course, we can slow down and find joy in everyday moments, appreciate the beauty of the sunrise, find joy in a funny joke. Each day that we get up and decide to smile in the face of authoritarianism (fascism, oligarchy, autocracy, oppression, etc.) builds our power and strengthens our resolve in this crucial fight.
Now, none of this is to say that we should ignore the atrocities in front of us and just be happy all the time. It is to say that we need to find balance. We can’t ignore the horrors we are living through, but we also can’t allow ourselves to fall into an exhausted and depressed complacency. We need to connect with the full range of our emotions and feelings, and this is what makes us human. Anger and fear are powerful motivators, and they can be useful tools for resistance. Empathetic pain and sadness are also useful. All of these, however, lead to burnout in a way that joy does not. Joy keeps us coming back for more. If we use all of the tools we have at our disposal and take a holistic, balanced approach, we can build a strong and lasting resistance movement.
When I think about what brings me joy, the list is long, and I’m so grateful for that. Whether it’s friends, family, or community (every family and all communities), human connection feels good. Music, art, and expression, whether creating or consuming, have a profound effect on lighting up the brain and body. Connecting with nature reminds me of the entirety of this beautiful planet that I get to be a part of. Even biological needs like good food, or the endorphins from exercise give me good vibes. Cute animals, something silly to laugh about, the warmth of the sun, anything that can bring a smile to my face is worth celebrating. I’m sure there are plenty of examples you can think of that are personal to you. We can also celebrate victory, big and small, political and apolitical. We can champion the courts for being a bastion of defense against the illegal tactics of this administration. We can celebrate the citizens attending town halls in deep red districts and telling their elected officials this is not what they voted for. Further, we can celebrate the many thousands of people showing up to protests, rallies, and demonstrations across the country, building the kind of mass movement we need.
Everything is connected, and our joy is political. It is all too clear that this administration has no regard for the people (regardless of party), our well-being, or our way of life. The policies of this administration threaten our freedom from every angle. They are trying to strip away our rights to free speech and due process. They’re reducing our buying power with tariffs and trade wars, and cutting essential programs that many people rely on to give tax cuts to the wealthiest few. They’re coming for our public lands where we recreate and play. We are fighting for our freedom and our right to joy, and so we must fight joyfully.
So, yes, things are dark and unknown, but maybe we don’t even know enough to be pessimistic. Yes, Trump and Musk are corrupt and chaotic, but their dishonesty and incompetence are becoming more apparent to the American people. Yes, Democrats have limited federal power right now, but Republicans are implementing a deeply unpopular agenda, and people are letting them know that we don’t like it. Yes, it’s hard to know what to do, but we can all try something and see what works. Yes, real people will suffer and die because of choices that Trump, Musk, and Republicans are making, so it is our charge to limit the harm done to the most vulnerable. On our own, it may feel like nothing we do can have an impact, but the people have inherent power, especially in numbers. Congress isn’t going to save us, and the courts won’t either, try as they might. The future of our country will stay in the hands of autocrats and oligarchs unless we take it back. Now is the time to reclaim our country and our future and make it a joyful one.
Action Item: Show up to the Nationwide Hands-Off Protest on April 5th -on the West steps of the Capitol, 200 E Colfax Ave Denver, CO, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm