CIIS Public Programs
CIIS Public Programs

CIIS Public Programs
Prevailing ideas around social justice activism tend to focus on 'doing the work', putting in long hours, and facing challenges head-on. Activism is rarely associated with personal joy and pleasure. But can there be a deep connection between activism and pleasure? How do we make social justice the most pleasurable human experience? How can we awaken within ourselves desires that make it impossible to settle for anything less than a fulfilling life? Author, Black feminist, and social justice activist adrienne maree brown has been talking, writing, and celebrating the intersection of pleasure and activism since her much-lauded 2019 book, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good. Pleasure Activism is a politics of healing and happiness that explodes the dour myth that changing the world is just another form of work. Drawing on the Black feminist tradition, she challenges us to rethink the ground rules of activism. Through connecting with our inner desires and needs—physical, mental, emotional—we can become better organizers, activists, and social justice workers. CIIS professor and restorative justice expert sonya shah and adrienne maree explore how to tap into the full spectrum of our sensual desires and emotional needs while organizing for justice. Whether you’re a seasoned activist or new to supporting social justice movements, adrienne invites you to embrace the idea that activism can feel good.
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