Joy is not Resistance (but it still matters) - a Solo Show from Meredith

About this episode

Meredith reflects on the tension between joy, guilt, and real resistance in activism.

In my first solo episode, I (Meredith) step behind the mic to reflect on the tension between joy, guilt, and real resistance. This show dives into the nuance of emotional substitution and how feel-good phrases like “Joy is Resistance” can unintentionally bypass the real work of activism. We will explore what true resistance looks like (spoiler: it’s not always comfortable), and how we can hold both joy and responsibility without confusing the two. I'm going to challenge you to build your emotional capacity, reflect on your guilt, and start engaging with real sustained action. You don’t need to agree, you just need to stay curious. Topics Covered: The myth of "joy as resistance" Baldwin, Lorde, and the call for responsibility Emotional partitioning (hello, divided plate metaphor!) Guilt vs. action in the face of injustice What real resistance actually looks like 🎧 This is one to share—especially with someone who’s been struggling to find clarity in the chaos. James Baldwin The Fire Next Time Notes of a Native Son Nobody Knows My Name Begin Again by Eddie Gaude Black Feminism & Structural Critique Sister Outsider Feminism Is for Everybody All About Love Hood Feminism ⁠AgainstWhite…

People in this episode

Host: Meredith

Topics covered

• joy
• guilt
• resistance
• activism
• emotional capacity
• social justice

Keywords

• joy as resistance
• emotional substitution
• activism
• guilt
• social justice
• Baldwin
• Lorde

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Fire Next Time, Notes of a Native Son, Nobody Knows My Name, Begin Again, Sister Outsider, Feminism Is for Everybody, All About Love, Hood Feminism, Against White Feminism, Intersectionality & Power

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