Black Joy: Celebrating Community, Creativity, and Survival
Beyu Cafe (Durham 2023)
When sharing the story of BLK South, I often talk about the final research I conducted for seminary. I decided to explore the missional witness of African Americans throughout history. Specifically, I researched the ways African Americans have reflected God's love and embodied Jesus in their communities through both words and deeds. During my research, I encountered heartbreaking stories of the challenges faced by many African American communities across the U.S., particularly in the South. From the destruction of Black communities, the threats of the KKK, lynching, inequitable job opportunities, and the dehumanizing treatment of African Americans, it is a miracle that my ancestors survived. Learning about these specific and harrowing stories motivated my wife and me to return to the South—the home of our ancestors—as an act of solidarity. It became an opportunity to create a redeeming narrative for our ancestors' lives in that space, while standing in solidarity with those seeking healing and restoration in neighborhoods and places that have experienced profound injustice and pain. This is why we chose to serve in the Hayti District in Durham, NC, which you can learn more about here.
Walking the neighborhood in Hayti (Durham, 2023)
Throughout my studies, I also discovered the ways my ancestors resisted and survived. How did they continue to hope for better days and not fall into despair? From slavery to the broken promises of Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the unjust murders of Black Americans, what kept us pressing on? I found stories of their faith motivating them to persevere, and their love for one another pushing them to see another day. A unique form of resistance that stood out to me was laughter and joy, expressed through songs, dances, and conversation. I shared about this in a message I gave at Kaleo during the Advent season.
“African American Slaves had turned their prayers into psalms or songs. Some were secretive, while others were honest prayers and desires to God. We know them today as Black Hymns or Negro Spirituals. Negro spirituals contained lyrics of hope. Interestingly enough, these songs were actually the building blocks of many music genres today, including Gospel, Blues, Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, and Jazz. Negro Spirituals helped give us the gift of Jazz. Jazz is a music genre that involves rhythm and movement. There is this West African God from folklore named Joy Boy. There is not much written about him that I could find because it seems he was passed down mainly by oral tradition. But from what I could find, this is what’s stated about him: ‘The West Indian character who personifies the human need to dance, sing, and jubilate.’ His right hand holds a drumstick, and his left arm holds a magical drum. He traveled to the Caribbean with West African slaves and has been cited as a source of inspiration by some jazz musicians. He smiles at all the world's problems and cures the ills of humanity by playing his drum. Whoever hears his music is forced to dance and sing until they cast off their black veil of despair. JOYBOY brings joy and happiness to humanity so they can maintain their hope to endure the misery in their lives.” (Dooley, 2023).
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Photograph ©Bernard Gotfryd
In the sermon, I challenge the audience to reimagine Jesus as someone filled with the fruit of the spirit of joy—a "Joy Boy" Jesus.
I believe that this type of joy, which can lead to dancing and laughter, is not only an act that has allowed African Americans to survive amid great adversity in society today and throughout history, but also a way in which African American communities witness to the rest of the world a type of joy that will be found in God’s kingdom. I hope to continue learning about and studying this joy in future research.
Many know this as Black Joy. Elaine Nichols writes the following about Black Joy for the National Museum of African American History and Culture:
"At the heart of the Black Joy movement is what many scholars, journalists, authors, and others are describing as resistance, resilience, and reclamation of Black Humanity. Life brings everyone challenges, disappointments, losses, and unexpected difficulties, regardless of race. But when race is added to the mix, the situation is compounded exponentially. When people live in a world that devalues them because they are Black or brown, as well as dismisses their contributions to the larger society, Black Joy is and has been an effective tool that has allowed individuals and groups to shift the impact of negative narratives and events in their favor.” (Nichols, 2024).
We can all learn from and live in Black Joy—a type of joy that doesn’t negate life’s problems but empowers us to press forward and uplifts us to face another day. Laughter and joy are healing and have the power to free you from pain for a brief moment. Laughter is known to help lessen stress, depression, and anxiety.
I love to laugh. I’m grateful that it’s one of the qualities my wife appreciates about me. She recalls us watching a Madea movie on a date and me laughing loudly. This was when she first recognized my laugh and commented on how it brings her joy. I laugh because I enjoy it, but I also hope that it spreads joy. I hope it frees others from their worries and troubles for a moment and gives them a brief escape into joy. When we laugh together, it feels like we’re sharing a secret world where everything else fades away. I want my laughter to remind others that even amidst challenges, there’s always something to smile about. It’s my way of connecting, uplifting, and celebrating the beauty of life—one chuckle at a time.
Reflection Questions
In what ways can we actively incorporate the lessons of Black Joy—such as laughter, music, and community support—into our daily practices to promote healing and solidarity in our own communities?
What role does creativity—through music, art, or storytelling—play in expressing and sustaining joy within marginalized communities, and how can we harness that creativity in our own lives?
Trip to Niagara Falls 2023
