How Individual Courage and Imagination Support Community, Protest, and Possibility
When I first started writing this, I was feeling particularly heavy-hearted… not my usual default setting. Even with everything going on in the world, I make a point not to post overtly “political” views on social media, not because I don’t have them, but because I don’t want to engage with snarky people I don’t know well who don’t agree with me. Maybe that’s cowardly, but for me, it’s an act of sacred self-care.
I also have not watched TV news and current event videos in many years, not since I learned that the images burrow deep into my psyche and keep me in a near-constant state of anxiety. Somehow, I’m able to read the same news and handle it better. And I do read MANY daily and bi-monthly newsletters and blogs that keep me up-to-date in a measured, non-sensational way. (I can recommend several if you’re interested).
But what’s going on now in this country is not about politics. It’s about power and demonizing the “other” and so much more. It is an assault on democracy, humanity, and a deeply-held belief that we are ALL divine creatures, regardless of our origins.
Joy is an act of resistance
So, where does this put me now? I find myself passionately embracing the notion of “Joy is an act of resistance”, a phrase that was originally coined by Black poet, Toi Derricotte, in 2011. Since then, it’s become a rallying cry during times of upheaval, injusice, and chaos.
And if you know me at all, it will come as no surprise why it resonates so strongly with me… first, in my personal declaration years ago that Joy is my deepest-held core value and then, more recently, in my commitment to elevating the principles of Joy Intelligence (JQ)™ in the world. (Definitely explore my yearlong YouTube series on JQ if you want a deep dive into that!)
I’ve shared about my Joy-passion many times in these Deb’s Picks, too. One of the sources I’ve drawn from often is Ingrid Fetell Lee in her blog, “The Aesthetics of Joy”. She wrote a powerful article 7 years ago describing how “Celebration Sustains Activism” that is as timely now as it was then.
She says, “What dictators know is that joy has a propulsive force, and that anything that gathers and channels that energy threatens to upend the rigid control of a population. Music, dance, art, eroticism: all of these fuel an emotional response that creates momentum, one that can be hard to control.” Wow — let’s be creative rabble-rousers!
More recently, another one of my favorites, Rob Brezsny, offered his usual brilliant blogs to uplift and galvanize us in these challenging times — Our Gorgeous Soul Power on January 13th and The Burning Time on January 20th. PLEASE read both of them and I think you’ll be blown away by his combination of “righteous anger” and “wrathful compassion”.
The power of collective, righteous anger
The message in all of these powerful blogs is that WE, as individuals coming together in solidarity, are ultimately the powerful ones. With our creativity, our imagination, our unrelenting dedication to what’s right. As Brezsny puts it, “The authoritarian gangsters want to steal our capacity for delight, to make us so despairing and exhausted that we forfeit our imagination. We preserve joy by defending it collectively.” And he presents practical applications for doing that.
He also offers the idea that “serious play—not frivolous, but creative, surprising, and uncontainable” — (and including humor, I would add) have a powerful role in the reistance as well. That’s one of the reasons I love the frog protester at the NYC No Kings March in October that I posted above… one of the many photos I took that day.
What small rebellious acts of creativity and imagination can you embrace in your own life and maybe share with others?
Well, I can tell you I’m definitely feeling a little more uplifted after reviewing all of these powerful writers, as well as pulling together the other “Deb’s Picks” that you can read below.
Leo Full Moon energy
And we’ll certainly get a boost around this month’s theme with the upcoming Leo/Aquarius Full Moon on February 1st. The Sun entered the rebellious, freedom-loving Aquarius season on January 19th with its emphasis on community, innovation, humanitarianism, and the collective consciousness.
Then, when that Aquarius Sun dances opppsite fire-y, creative, courageous Leo on the Full Moon, it further activates the energy of self-expression, leadership, heart-centeredness, joy, fun, and being seen.
What a blow-your-socks-off formula for balancing authentic self-expression (Leo) with community connection (Aquarius) and activating personal courage to release societal constraints and create innovative progress for humanity!
This is not a moment to dim your light, waiting for permission or perfection. This is a moment to offer what you have — your art, your words, your presence, your courage — and let it ripple outward into the collective. A tall order, but I think we’re up to it.
After you check oiut the Deb’s Picks below, please be sure to join us for our Leo/Aquarius Full Moon TeleMeditation this Mon., Feburary 2nd at Noon — check out the sidebar below or click HERE for details on how to join us. Hope to “hear” you then!
(And after that, I’d love you to join me for my upcoming Aquarius New Moon SisterCircle through the Wellness Universe on Tues., February 17th when we’ll explore creative ways for “Living an Abundant Life”. Hope to see you then.
BRASS SOLIDARITY — Music as protest
This group is just one of many who are boots on the ground for the protests in Minneapolis right now. Founded in 2021 in response to the murder of George Floyd, they continue to use their talents to promote social justice and bring people together. You can learn more about them by clicking on the link above… get ready to be inspired! Another activist marching band is Notes of Dissent, based in Colorado… I’m sure there are many more, but I’ve spend LOTS of time already just watching all the many videos of both of these groups! Can you think of a better example of the Leo/Aquarius energy than sharing your individual gifts to uplift the community?!
BC VOICES THEATER PARTY INVITE to LIBERATION on Broadway– Sun., February 1, 3pm
I’ve highlighted the powerful “Stand Up, Speak Out” docuseries on women’s rights that my dear friend Katherine Brewster is producing in previous Deb’s Picks. Her organization, BC Voices, also offers other women-empowering events and now, she’s bringing together a bevy of kindred spirits to see this Broadway hit. “Liberation” takes place in a consciousness-raising group in 1970. The NYTimes said, “The miracle of this play is that the circle feels as if it is extending to embrace us all.” Whether you lived through the ’70s or wish you did, you’ll experience the power of women bonding by talking. She’s booked a limited number of group-rate tix, with an optional brunch beforehand. Click on the link to grab your place — hope to see you there!
YAEL DECKELBAUM – WOMEN OF THE WORLD UNITE (and others): Song and Dance as Protest
Again, this amazing video (click on the above link to view) was one of many I found, but the images in Yael’s are particularly compelling. Some of the other ones that grabbed me are “Souls are Coming Home” by the iconic Holly Near, and one I hadn’t heard of, the Resistance Revival Chorus singing, “Everyone Deserves to be Free“. Of course, I probaby resonate most strongly with these singers since I’m a choral singer, too! That said, I have to share a powerful example of Protest Dance as well — check out this short but amazing dance of resistance on Instagram from Minnesota’s Ananya Dance Theatre, and then be sure to read more about them at their website.
ART AS A CREATIVE ACT OF RESISTANCE
While I don’t consider myself an artist in the traditional sense, I participated in the city-wide explosion of protest art during the pandemic in the summer of 2020. When stores and restaurants boarded up their windows with plywood, people covered them with murals and messages. I wish there was a site where the images were stored, but I did manage to find a choppy video I did that captures lots of them… that’s mine at 1:10, the light teal spiral! (Click on the link to see the video). And yes, while painting was fun (even for amatuers like me), it was the act of coming together with a common cause that truly made it magical.
BUDDHIST MONKS WALK FOR PEACE
I’ve always been a big proponent of “embodied spirituality”… those meditations that involve singing or movement in some way. Well, i’d call this 120-day, 2,300-mile journey by Buddhist monks an example of “embodied activism”! Their mission is to ” raise awareness of peace, loving kindness, and compassion across America and the world” and their Facebook page now has over 2.2 million followers. Click on the link to learn more and be inspired. Just a handful of dedicated holy men walking to create global peace… can’t get more Leo/Aquarius than that.
Remember, as this Leo–Aquarius Full Moon rises, it can illuminate for all of us, both the fire of our individual expression AND the urgent call of the collective asking us to show up in big and small ways. I’d love to hear how you’re doing that, and as always, please do share any other events or resources that have inspired you during this time.
With fire-y creative blessings,
Deborah