Rest Is Resistance

1. Rest is a form of resistance against capitalism and white supremacy

Rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy.

Challenging the status quo. Rest as resistance challenges the deeply ingrained beliefs of productivity and worth in our society. By prioritizing rest, we actively push back against systems that view human bodies as mere tools for production and profit. This resistance is not just personal, but a collective movement towards reclaiming our humanity.

Historical context. The concept of rest as resistance is rooted in the history of exploitation, particularly of Black bodies during slavery and beyond. By choosing to rest, we honor the struggles of our ancestors and continue their fight for freedom and dignity. Rest becomes a powerful act of defiance against the legacy of oppression and forced labor.

• Rest disrupts the cycle of exhaustion and trauma perpetuated by grind culture
• It allows us to reconnect with our inherent worth beyond productivity
• Resting challenges the notion that our bodies belong to capitalist systems

2. Our bodies are sites of liberation and deserve rest

Our bodies are a site of liberation.

Reclaiming autonomy. Our bodies are not machines to be exploited, but divine vessels deserving of care and respect. By recognizing our bodies as sites of liberation, we shift our perspective from seeing them as tools for production to honoring them as sacred spaces of potential and power.

Embodied resistance. When we prioritize rest for our bodies, we engage in a form of embodied resistance against oppressive systems. This act of self-care becomes a radical statement, asserting our right to exist beyond the demands of capitalism and white supremacy. It's a declaration that our worth is not tied to our productivity, but inherent in our existence.

• Our bodies hold wisdom and power that can be accessed through rest
• Resting our bodies is a form of self-love and self-respect
• By honoring our bodies' need for rest, we challenge societal expectations of constant productivity

3. Naps provide a portal for imagination, invention, and healing

Naps provide a dream and visioning space to invent, to create, to heal.

Tapping into creativity. Naps offer more than just physical rest; they provide a unique space for our minds to wander and explore. This dreamlike state can unlock creative potential, allowing us to imagine new possibilities and solutions that may not be accessible during our waking hours.

Healing through rest. The act of napping can be deeply healing, both physically and mentally. It allows our bodies and minds to process experiences, regulate emotions, and recover from the stresses of daily life. By embracing naps, we open ourselves to a powerful form of self-healing and rejuvenation.

• Naps can lead to breakthrough ideas and innovative thinking
• They provide a safe space for processing emotions and experiences
• Regular napping can improve overall mental and physical well-being

4. Reclaiming our DreamSpace through rest is essential

Our DreamSpace has been stolen and we want it back. We will reclaim it via rest.

Stolen potential. The concept of DreamSpace refers to our capacity for imagination, creativity, and envisioning a better future. This space has been systematically stolen through the demands of capitalism and the legacy of oppression, particularly for marginalized communities.

Restoration through rest. By prioritizing rest, we create the conditions necessary to reclaim our DreamSpace. This reclamation is not just about personal fulfillment, but about collective liberation and the ability to imagine and create a more just world.

• Rest allows us to tap into our innate creativity and visionary potential
• Reclaiming DreamSpace is crucial for personal and collective healing
• It empowers us to envision and work towards alternative futures

5. Grind culture is violence and must be disrupted

Grind culture is violence.

Recognizing harm. The constant pressure to be productive, to hustle, and to sacrifice our well-being for work is a form of violence against our bodies and spirits. This grind culture perpetuates trauma, exhaustion, and disconnection from our true selves and each other.

Disrupting the cycle. To break free from grind culture, we must actively resist its demands and expectations. This disruption involves setting boundaries, prioritizing rest, and challenging the notion that our worth is tied to our productivity. It's a collective effort to create a culture that values human well-being over profit.

• Grind culture leads to burnout, mental health issues, and physical ailments
• It disproportionately affects marginalized communities
• Disrupting grind culture requires both individual and systemic changes

6. Rest is not a luxury or privilege, but a divine right

Rest is not a luxury, a privilege, or a bonus we must wait for once we are burned out.

Shifting perspectives. We must challenge the ingrained belief that rest is something we earn or deserve only after extreme exhaustion. Rest is a fundamental human need and a divine right, essential for our well-being and dignity.

Accessibility of rest. While systemic barriers can make rest more challenging for some, it's crucial to recognize that rest can take many forms. Even small moments of pause or intentional slowing down can be acts of rest and resistance. We must creatively find ways to incorporate rest into our lives, regardless of our circumstances.

• Rest is as essential as food, water, and shelter for human well-being
• We don't need to earn rest; it's our birthright
• Finding moments of rest is possible even in challenging circumstances

7. Collective rest and care are crucial for liberation

We must rest, heal, and resist together.

Community power. True liberation cannot be achieved individually; it requires collective effort and care. By resting together and supporting each other's need for rest, we create a powerful movement of resistance and healing.

Mutual support. Collective rest involves creating systems of support and care within our communities. This can look like sharing resources, creating rest spaces, and challenging cultural norms that glorify overwork. By prioritizing collective care, we strengthen our ability to resist oppressive systems.

• Collective rest challenges the individualism promoted by capitalism
• Supporting others' rest is an act of solidarity and resistance
• Community care systems can make rest more accessible for all

8. Imagination and dreaming are powerful tools for resistance

Imagination is one of the most powerful modes of resistance that oppressed and exploited folks can do and use.

Visionary power. Imagination allows us to envision alternatives to current oppressive systems. By dreaming of different futures, we create the blueprint for change and resistance. This act of imagining is itself a form of liberation from the constraints of our current reality.

Cultivating imagination. Rest and dreaming are interconnected. By creating space for rest, we allow our minds to wander and explore possibilities beyond our immediate circumstances. This cultivation of imagination is essential for personal and collective liberation.

• Imagination helps us envision and work towards alternative futures
• Dreaming can be a form of escape and resistance for marginalized communities
• Rest provides the necessary space for imagination to flourish

9. Sabbaths and digital detoxes are vital for true rest

My Sabbath is a personal, spiritual, and political practice.

Intentional disconnection. Regular sabbaths and digital detoxes are crucial for experiencing deep rest and reconnection with ourselves. These practices allow us to step away from the constant demands of work and technology, creating space for reflection, healing, and creativity.

Resistance through rest. Taking intentional breaks from productivity and connectivity is a radical act in our always-on culture. It challenges the expectation of constant availability and productivity, asserting our right to rest and personal time.

• Sabbaths can be customized to fit individual needs and circumstances
• Digital detoxes help combat the addictive nature of technology and social media
• Regular rest periods improve overall well-being and creativity

10. Black liberation through rest benefits all of humanity

Black liberation is a balm for all humanity and this message is for all those suffering from the ways of white supremacy and capitalism.

Universal impact. The concept of rest as resistance, rooted in Black liberation theory, has the potential to benefit all of humanity. By challenging systems of oppression that affect Black communities most severely, we create pathways for liberation for everyone suffering under capitalism and white supremacy.

Interconnected liberation. Recognizing the interconnectedness of our struggles and liberation is crucial. When we support and uplift the most marginalized communities' right to rest, we create a more just and humane world for all. This collective liberation through rest has the power to transform our entire society.

• Black liberation theories offer powerful frameworks for collective resistance
• Supporting marginalized communities' right to rest benefits everyone
• Rest as resistance has the potential to transform societal structures and values

Last updated: January 23, 2025