Rest as Radical Resistance: How Black Women Honor Their Legacy Through Self-Care

In a recent episode of the Be Well, Sis podcast, Dr. Cassandre Dunbar sat down with EbonyJanice Moore, author of “All the Black Girls Are Activists,” scholar, and founder of The Free People Project. Their conversation explores how rest becomes a revolutionary act for Black women and how honoring ancestral legacies can transform our approach to self-care.

The Revolutionary Declaration: All Black Girls Are Activists

“All Black girls are activists simply by existing.”

This powerful assertion from EbonyJanice isn’t metaphorical—it’s meant to be taken literally. In a society that often marginalizes and devalues Black women, their mere presence constitutes a form of radical resistance. The act of showing up authentically as a Black woman in spaces that weren’t designed for them challenges societal norms and expectations that seek to diminish their worth.

“By being their authentic selves, Black girls embody a unique form of activism,” EbonyJanice explains. This existence-as-activism perspective reframes everyday life as meaningful political action, recognizing that merely surviving and thriving in a world structured against you is revolutionary.

Breaking the “Strong Black Woman” Stereotype Through Divine Rest

The persistent “strong Black woman” trope creates impossible standards that lead to chronic exhaustion and burnout. EbonyJanice emphasizes that softness, rest, and ease are not privileges reserved for a select few—they are fundamental, divine rights inherent to every individual simply by virtue of being born.

In a society that often equates productivity with worth, many Black women find themselves feeling guilty for seeking rest. This guilt is exacerbated by systemic pressures that prioritize hustle and resilience over well-being. The narrative surrounding rest often frames it as a luxury, suggesting that only those who have “earned” it through hard work are entitled to it.

EbonyJanice challenges this mindset, arguing that rest is not something to be earned but rather a birthright that has been systematically denied. By reframing rest as a divine right rather than a privilege, she invites Black women to reclaim their time and energy as an act of self-preservation and resistance.

Ancestor Veneration: Honoring Those Who Dreamed of Your Freedom

This episode delves deeply into the importance of ancestor veneration—a practice that EbonyJanice describes as vital for Black individuals, particularly in the wake of historical erasure caused by colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade.

“Ancestor veneration is not merely a ritualistic act but a deep acknowledgment of the struggles, achievements, and wisdom of our forebears,” EbonyJanice explains. She notes that many Black people have been conditioned to view ancestor veneration as something negative or demonic, a direct result of systemic oppression that sought to sever ties to ancestral roots.

EbonyJanice shares the story of her great-grandmother, Minnie Bell Lee, a sharecropper just one generation removed from slavery, who made the pivotal decision that her daughter, Emma Jane, should pursue education instead of laboring in the fields. “I will literally never stop saying Emma Jane Baxley’s name, ever,” she declares, demonstrating how speaking our ancestors’ names keeps their legacies alive.

This decision wasn’t merely about individual advancement—it was a conscious act aimed at transforming the future for generations to come. By prioritizing education, Minnie Bell Lee laid the groundwork for her descendants to thrive, illustrating how the choices of one generation ripple through time.

The Spiritual Connection to Ancestral Wisdom

EbonyJanice describes how recognizing and speaking the names of our ancestors connects us with their wisdom and dreams for our future. Unlike other groups who can easily trace their lineage, many Black Americans face challenges in identifying their roots due to the historical violence that sought to erase their identities.

This connection isn’t just about the past—it’s about understanding that our ancestors dreamed of our freedom to rest, to prioritize our well-being, to experience joy. By honoring them, we acknowledge that we are part of a continuum that extends beyond our individual lives.

The act of reclaiming ancestral connections becomes a powerful tool against historical erasure. EbonyJanice points out that the lack of records and the erasure of ancestral identities due to slavery have made it difficult for many to connect with their heritage, leading to feelings of isolation and disconnection. By actively engaging in ancestor veneration, individuals can reclaim their narratives and foster a sense of belonging.

Practical Ways to Honor Ancestors Through Rest Practices

Incorporating ancestral honoring into rest practices creates a powerful framework for self-care that connects personal wellbeing to historical resistance:

1. Name Your Ancestors: Begin each rest practice by speaking the names of those who came before you—even if you only know a few names or need to acknowledge unnamed ancestors who made your existence possible.

2. Sacred Space Creation: Designate a small area in your home with objects, photos, or symbols that connect you to your lineage, making rest a reverential act that honors those who didn’t have the privilege of rest.

3. Intentional Dreaming: During rest periods, reflect on how your ancestors dreamed of your freedom to rest, and how your self-care honors their sacrifices and dreams for your wellbeing.

4. Collective Rest Circles: Form small groups where Black women can rest together and share stories of their lineage, reinforcing that communal care was essential to ancestral survival.

5. Reclamation Rituals: Create personal rituals that consciously reject the conditioning that rest must be earned, affirming instead that rest is your birthright and ancestral inheritance.

Overcoming Conditioned Guilt Around Rest

EbonyJanice addresses how societal structures intentionally deny Black women access to rest and ease. The belief that rest must be earned through productivity is a form of self-oppression that must be consciously rejected.

The conditioning to equate self-worth with productivity creates a “muscle memory” of constant activity that requires intentional reprogramming. When guilt inevitably arises during rest (and it will), recognize it as a conditioned response rather than truth.

By prioritizing rest despite this conditioning, Black women engage in a powerful act of reclamation—asserting their right to the very softness and ease that systems of oppression have sought to deny them.

Your Radical Rest Revolution Honors Generations

Rest isn’t just a break from work—it’s a revolutionary act that empowers Black women to live authentically while honoring the dreams of those who came before them. By challenging societal expectations and prioritizing self-care, you reclaim your time and energy while modeling healthier patterns for future generations.

As EbonyJanice reminds us, your existence itself is activism, and your choice to rest honors not only yourself but the ancestors who dreamed of your freedom to prioritize your wellbeing. Your wellness is your birthright—and claiming it continues a legacy of resistance that stretches back through generations.

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