Carrying Grief and Curating Joy: A Critical Practice in the Pursuit of Justice
For many of us, it feels like we’ve been moving from one crisis to the next our entire lives, barely catching our breath before the next tragedy strikes. The weight of it all has worn on our collective spirit, making it harder to feel, to grieve, to connect. For communities of color particularly (Black, brown, indigenous, and immigrant), this isn’t new—it’s a familiar pattern, a constant reality often referred to simply as “the struggle.” The cycle of enduring and surviving has made it easy to become desensitized, but if we are to sustain ourselves and our missions, we must find ways to hold both grief and joy. These emotions are not opposites, however; they are necessary companions on the road to justice. Avoidance and anxiety are tools of suppression that only perpetuate harm and stifle progress subversively.
The truth is, injustice leaves a mark on all of us—a heavy weight in our hearts and in our communities. It takes many forms and shows up in systemic oppression, generational trauma, and the daily struggles of those fighting for dignity, equity, and freedom. Our ancestors didn’t always have the time or space to process their pain. The demands of survival meant grief often had to be pushed aside, carried silently from one generation to the next. That unprocessed sorrow still lingers in our bodies, our families, and our communities. But alongside grief, there has always been joy—found in moments of resistance, in community, and in dreaming of something better. If we want to keep moving toward justice, we have to hold both grief and joy, because they are equally powerful forces in shaping a better world.
The Role of Grief in Movements
Grief is a natural part of justice work. It’s emotional distress that goes beyond the confound context of grappling with mortality. It’s the pain of lives stolen by violence, of opportunities lost to discrimination, of visions unrealized because of unjust systems. It’s the deep sadness, sometimes crippling, that comes with knowing change is slow, messy, and often costly even when the need is urgent.
Instead of avoiding or denying grief, making space for it can be deeply nurturing. Grief reminds us of what’s at stake and why the work matters, both personally in our inner worlds and collectively in society. It fuels our passion for justice and keeps us connected to the humanity of those we fight for (self included). If we don’t honor our grief, we risk burning out, losing hope, and becoming numb to the suffering around us. That indifference and insensibility is precisely what makes way for those who seek to concentrate power and wealth.
The Power of Joy as Resistance
Joy is often treated as an afterthought, something we can only experience once justice is won. But joy is a form of resistance in itself. For generations, marginalized communities have used music, dance, laughter, and celebration to push back against oppression. Joy gives us the energy to keep fighting. It brings people together, sparks creativity, and reminds us of the world we are trying to build. (e.g. Kendrick Lamar’s recent Super Bowl halftime performance.)
Choosing joy doesn’t mean ignoring injustice—it means refusing to let oppression steal our humanity. When we create space for joy in our movements, we show that liberation isn’t just a distant goal; it’s something we can begin to embody right now.
Balancing Sustainable Activism
To sustain justice-oriented impact, we must co-create a culture where grief and joy can exist side by side. That means giving ourselves permission to mourn without shame and to celebrate without guilt. Healing is not a distraction from justice work—it’s a core part of it.
Here are some practical, pluralistic ways we can build capacity to carry grief and cultivate joy as impactful, mission-driven leaders.
Rituals of Remembrance and Celebration: Protect time to acknowledge emotional distress while also uplifting moments of victory and progress. Allow spaciousness for deep engagement.
Collective Care: Going beyond self-care, support others through rest, community, and mental health resources to prevent debilitative isolation. Build durable solidarity rooted in liberation for all.
Storytelling and Art: Share trials and triumphs through creative expression, ensuring our full experience is seen and honored. It can take different forms from mass multimedia to private journaling—incorporate ways to regularly document and exchange sentiments, sensations, and stories.
Intergenerational Wisdom: Listen to the lessons of those who came before us, who have long balanced grief and joy to sustain their movements. Connect with mentors and elders to gain insight for posterity.
Somatic Therapy: Engage in moving your body—whether it’s dance, yoga, running, or simply stretching—and guided breathwork to release tension and reconnect with yourself. Prioritize grounding in natural environments for added mental and physical benefits.
Curated Spaces: Seek places designed for healing, whether they be community gatherings, retreats, or circles where people can safely process, share, and explore feelings together. Engaging with others in vulnerability can strengthen self-awareness.
New Experiences: Explore new environments, cultures, and activities that expand your perspective and bring inspiration into your mission. Intentionally pursue opportunities to marvel or show gratitude.
Some additional recommended resources to explore include Harvesting Chaos, The Nap Ministry, Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM), Generative Somatics, and the Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute.
Enrichment Towards Harmony
Grief and joy coexist necessarily, enriching the fight for justice. When we allow ourselves to hold both, we honor our full humanity in harmony. Handled with care, grief can keep us connected to the need of our mission, while joy gives us the strength to keep going towards our vision. Justice isn’t just about ending oppression—it’s about reclaiming life in all its beauty and fullness. And that means making space for every emotion along the way.