Joy as a Practice of Resistance and Belonging with Ross Gay
Mar 22, 2023
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Ross Gay, a celebrated poet and essayist known for his insightful explorations of joy and belonging, discusses how joy can be a radical act of resistance. He emphasizes the importance of community and shared experiences in nurturing joy, particularly through concepts like communal potlucks and gardening. The conversation also delves into the healing power of laughter amidst grief, highlighting vulnerability as a path to connection. Gay advocates for embracing joy as a collective practice that fosters deeper solidarity and care in our lives.
Ross Gay emphasizes that joy is a radical act of resistance, interwoven with our experiences of grief and sorrow.
The cultivation of communal practices, such as gardening and dancing, fosters joy and strengthens interconnectedness within communities.
Deep dives
Joy as an Act of Resistance
Joy can serve as a radical act of resistance, particularly in times of sorrow and crisis. It is often dismissed as trivial or insubstantial; however, poet Ross Gay emphasizes that joy emerges from understanding and cultivating connections with others amid adversity. In his essay collection, he articulates how joy can present itself in the rituals and relationships we foster through shared experiences, often transcending personal grief and sorrow. This understanding allows individuals to realize that joy and pain are not separate but are intertwined within the human experience, enriching our sense of belonging and solidarity.
The Interdependence of Joy and Sorrow
The concept of joy inherently involves acknowledging pain and sorrow, suggesting that they coexist rather than exist in isolation. Gay reflects on personal experiences, notably his father's passing, to illustrate how profound joy can arise from engaging with our grief rather than avoiding it. This engagement fosters a deeper connection with others, as experiencing vulnerability allows for shared understanding and healing. By inviting sorrow in, individuals can create a communal space where joy flourishes amidst shared challenges, thus reinforcing the idea of collective care.
Practices That Cultivate Joy
Gay emphasizes the importance of investigating the practices and rituals that cultivate joy in our lives. Activities such as gardening and dancing are highlighted as means of fostering connection and community, demonstrating that joy is often realized through interdependence and shared experiences. He notes that actions like sharing produce from one's garden can disrupt notions of individualism, blurring the boundaries between 'you' and 'me.' By engaging in these communal activities, individuals not only find joy but also strengthen their collective ties, reinforcing the fabric of their community.
Grief as a Pathway to Connection
Grief is portrayed as a vital process that connects individuals, acting as a reminder of our shared humanity. Gay describes grief as love seeking an outlet when the object of that love is lost, validating the profound connections we forge throughout our lives. This perspective challenges notions of isolation in sorrow, encouraging individuals to engage with their grief and that of others. He argues that confronting grief can unfurl new avenues for joy and connection, inviting deeper understanding and compassion within communities.
It can be so easy to dismiss joy as frivolous or not serious, especially in times of crisis or despair. But for poet Ross Gay, joy can be a radical and necessary act of resistance and belonging. In his new essay collection, "Inciting Joy," Gay explores the rituals and habits that make joy more available to us, as well as the ways that joy can contribute to a deeper sense of solidarity and care. In this episode of Life As It Is, Tricycle’s editor-in-chief, James Shaheen, and co-host Sharon Salzberg sit down with Gay to talk about finding joy in the midst of grief and sorrow, the dangers of believing ourselves to be self-sufficient, and how joy can dissolve the boundaries between us.
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