Overview
This lecture focused on the concept of rest as an act of resistance against oppressive systems, emphasizing its importance for collective liberation, healing, and community care. The speaker shared personal stories, practical strategies, and reflective questions to reimagine rest as a fundamental human right rather than a privilege or luxury.
Land Acknowledgement and Opening Practices
- The session began with a land acknowledgement honoring California Indian peoples and traditions.
- Participants were guided through mindful breathing and movement to center themselves.
- An interruption protocol was established for addressing racism and other oppressive narratives during the meeting.
Logistics and Session Overview
- Captioning, ASL interpretation, and Q&A features were available.
- The session recording will be posted online.
- A book giveaway for “Rest is Resistance” was announced.
Rest as Resistance: Key Concepts
- Rest is a powerful refusal of grind culture, capitalism, white supremacy, patriarchy, and ableism.
- Rest is not just sleep but includes silence, breathing, daydreaming, and slowness.
- Rest is a form of justice work that anchors dignity and humanity.
- The speaker’s grandmother modeled “resting her eyes” as a daily ritual of reclaiming time and body.
- Rest is a communal, lifelong practice that disrupts harmful systems and creates space for healing.
Community Care and Collective Rest
- Community care links personal rest to the wellbeing of others.
- Rest is accessible in many forms (meditation, stretching, sky-gazing, creative arts) and does not require wealth or luxury.
- Setting boundaries and intentionally crafting moments for rest is essential.
- When one person rests, it models and enables rest in the larger community.
Inquiry and Reflection Questions
- How is your heart?
- Who are you being?
- What story are you telling yourself? What is a more liberating story you can tell?
- How can you create rest for yourself and others?
- Do you realize you don’t have to earn rest?
Academic and Liberation Context
- Academia is described as a headquarters for grind culture; humanizing students and allowing flexible structures counters this.
- Rest should be viewed not as a privilege, but a basic human right and a radical act of refusal.
- Fat, disabled, and marginalized bodies are especially devalued and pressured by dominant systems; rest is a form of body liberation and reclamation.
Collective and Practical Examples
- Collective rest events and childcare co-ops demonstrate the power of community in supporting rest.
- Small, subversive acts—like offering space for students to rest or emotionally supporting peers—are impactful.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Rest as Resistance — Using rest to push back against oppressive social and economic systems.
- Grind Culture — A societal norm that values constant productivity and overwork.
- Community Care — Collective practices that support individual and group wellbeing.
- Politics of Refusal — Deliberately rejecting systems that dehumanize or exploit.
- Liberation — The act of achieving freedom from oppressive structures.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on and journal the provided inquiry questions.
- Experiment with crafting moments of intentional rest daily.
- Model rest for your community and support others in doing so.
- Read “Rest is Resistance” and consider exploring works like Octavia Butler for inspiration.