Shortly after the 2024 presidential election, 92% of us—Black women—said we were checking out and resting. And rightfully so. We were exhausted. We had carried elections on our backs and kept our communities afloat while holding together families, businesses and movements. We had done the work. But now, as we watch the world unravel, we must ask ourselves: Did our rest turn into retreat?
This is not to say we didn’t deserve our rest. We did, and we still do. But the forces working against us—the book bans, the attacks on DEI, the erosion of voting rights, the gutting of reproductive freedoms—haven’t taken a break. If anything, they’ve doubled down. And if we stay on the sidelines too long, we risk losing everything we fought for.
The urgency of now
We are watching hard-won progress roll back in real-time. Black history is being erased from classrooms. Corporations are abandoning their promises to support diversity and inclusion. Courts are stripping away our rights, and politicians are making it harder for us to vote, protest and simply exist in spaces where we belong.
Sisters, we have to get back to work—not in a way that drains us but that sustains our power and our peace. We need a new strategy—one that lets us fight without exhaustion.
How we fight without burning out
1. Engage Politically—On Our Terms
The fatigue is real, but we can’t afford to sit out elections, even local ones. The policies that impact our daily lives are decided in city halls and state legislatures, not just in D.C. If you’re too tired to knock on doors, support grassroots organizations doing the work. If you’re overwhelmed by politics, focus on one issue—whether it’s education, healthcare, or criminal justice—and stay informed. Vote, and encourage others to do the same.
2. Support Black Businesses and Build Economic Power
Boycotts can be powerful, but they must be strategic. Instead of just withholding our dollars, we should redirect them. Spend intentionally at Black-owned businesses. Invest in our own ventures. Demand accountability from corporations who scale back their DEI efforts. The goal is not just resistance but reinvestment in our own communities.
3. Protect Our Stories and Our Voices
Books by Black authors are being banned, and entire histories are being erased. We must fight back by amplifying our voices. Buy banned books and donate them to libraries. Support independent Black media. Challenge school boards and policymakers who want to silence our stories.
4. Take Up Space—Loudly and Unapologetically
From corporate offices to creative industries, we must continue showing up, advocating for ourselves, and refusing to shrink in rooms where decisions are made. If we are shut out, we must build our own tables.
5. Rest, but Don’t Retreat
Rest is still essential. The difference is that we must use it as a tool, not an escape. Rest should refuel us, not disengage us. Self-care and community care go hand in hand. We don’t have to do everything, but we must do something. Find your lane, stay in it and bring others along.
The work continues
This is not a call to martyr ourselves. This is a call to move with strategy, wisdom,and purpose. Rest time is over, but exhaustion is not an option. We are the backbone of this country, and when we stop, everything crumbles.
So, sisters, let’s rise—together. Let’s push forward in a way that honors our worth, protects our joy, and continues our legacy of making history. Because if we don’t, who will?
