The importance of joy is an indispensable and indestructible concept intertwined with being a feminist. Finding meaningful resistance in joy, rest and pleasure is an affirmative and conscious effort that feminists battling hierarchical and oppressive systems need to imbibe. Feminism is not only about dismantling oppressive and authoritative structures and systems, it is also about finding joy and pleasure as a form of resistance against the capitalistic and hegemonic systems that offer no solace to anyone who gives in.
Joy as a concept in feminism arises from the basic principles of feminism such as love and empathy towards the oppressed and marginalised, nurturing and creating safe spaces for all, and enabling the space for social justice and equality. Most of the time marginalised and minorities more oppressed than others are forgotten in the neoliberal rat race, feminism looks out for such communities and promotes love, empathy and joy as a form of collective resistance and change.
Hence feminists who battle everyday, oppressive systems like inequality, gender discrimination, violence, injustice, etc need a different kind of resistance. Resistance in the form of joy and pleasure, the small victories at the end of a long day, and the true essence of liberation through creativity, love, justice and connection.
FII, as an intersectional feminist organisation, is asking you to take a break and rest, to find those small victories and joys that keep you going despite barriers and manacles. We are looking for entries for our new editorial column—Feminist Joy, where we celebrate our victories big or small, joys and acts of love, for ourselves and as a collective resistance.
Here are some of the themes that you may find helpful in putting together your thoughts:
- Small acts of kindness and resistance in everyday life
- Joy, connection and empathy among oneself and others
- Pleasure as a form of resistance
- Creativity, art and expression
- Rest as resistance
- Leisure and laughter as a form of resistance
- Everyday feminist victories
This list is not exhaustive and you may feel free to write on topics within the theme that we may have missed out here. Please refer to our submission guidelines before you send us your entries. You may email your submissions to shahinda@feminisminindia.com
Note: The word limit for editorial submissions is 500 to 1000 words. We’re also accepting shorter submissions of about 100 words in the form of social media posts. Please submit your entry via this form if you want to submit a short social media entry.
