Pleasure Activism Summary

“What would happen if we centered pleasure as a measure of freedom?” adrienne maree brown asks us to reimagine liberation through the lens of joy, satisfaction, and connection.

1. Pleasure is a path to freedom and wholeness.

Pleasure is not just about indulgence; it’s about feeling alive, whole, and free. For those who face oppression or marginalization, experiencing pleasure can be a radical act of defiance. It’s a way to reclaim autonomy and push back against societal norms that equate joy with excess or indecency. adrienne maree brown defines pleasure activism as the work of reclaiming our happy, satisfied selves from the impacts of oppression and supremacy.

Many of us grow up with beliefs that repress our desires for pleasure. We’re taught to see it as selfish or excessive, which makes it difficult to embrace joy without guilt. Pleasure activism challenges this mindset by encouraging us to see pleasure as a necessary part of life, not a luxury. It’s about moderation, not overindulgence, and finding what truly satisfies us.

The story of Alana Devich Cyril, a cancer survivor, illustrates this beautifully. Despite her illness, Alana found joy in small, meaningful moments like hosting karaoke parties and reconnecting with her body through intimacy. Her journey shows that pleasure can be life-affirming, even in the face of pain.

Examples

• Alana’s karaoke parties brought joy during her cancer treatment.
• The author’s own journey of healing childhood trauma through pleasure.
• The mantra “everything in moderation” as a guide to embracing joy.

2. The erotic is a powerful tool for self-connection.

The erotic, as described by Audre Lorde, is a deep source of power and self-awareness. It’s not limited to sex but encompasses all forms of connection that make us feel alive and in tune with our bodies. For adrienne maree brown, the erotic is a way to reclaim our bodies from societal objectification and repression.

Too often, the erotic is misunderstood or reduced to pornography, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and objectify women. In contrast, the erotic is about empowerment and self-discovery. It’s a way to love and accept our bodies, even in a world that often tells us we’re not enough. Burlesque, for example, is a form of erotic expression that combines art, politics, and self-love.

Taja Lindley, a performance artist, uses burlesque to process trauma and connect with her body. Through her performances, she has found healing and freedom. Burlesque dancers like Michi Osato and Una Osato also emphasize how the art form helps them envision a world where they can fully embrace their bodies and their power.

Examples

• Audre Lorde’s essay “Uses of the Erotic” as a foundational text.
• Taja Lindley’s burlesque performances as a tool for healing trauma.
• Burlesque as a medium for political and personal expression.

3. Saying yes to pleasure leads to self-discovery.

Pleasure activism encourages us to find our “orgasmic yes” – the things that truly bring us joy and satisfaction. When we repress our desires, we become disconnected from what we really want in life. Embracing pleasure helps us align with our values and make choices that feel right.

The author’s journey of self-discovery began with Audre Lorde’s teachings on the erotic. By embracing her yes, she learned to love her body and prioritize work that aligned with her passions. This shift allowed her to focus on collaboration and community rather than competition or control.

Toni Cade Bambara’s idea of making the revolution irresistible also plays a role here. By connecting with our yes, we can inspire others to do the same. This creates a ripple effect, moving us toward a future where joy and liberation are central to our lives.

Examples

• The author’s shift from competition to collaboration in her work.
• Toni Cade Bambara’s call to make the revolution irresistible.
• Using the “orgasmic yes” as a guide for decision-making.

4. Drugs can be tools for connection and healing.

The author shares her experiences with drugs like marijuana, ecstasy, and mushrooms, which have helped her feel more connected to her body and the world. However, she emphasizes the importance of moderation and self-awareness. Drugs can be a way to enhance pleasure, but they can also become a means of numbing pain if used irresponsibly.

Marijuana, for example, has been a source of relief for many marginalized communities. Yet its criminalization disproportionately affects people of color, even as the legal cannabis industry profits from their suffering. The author advocates for harm reduction and inclusive policies that address these injustices.

The Harm Reduction Coalition has been a valuable resource for the author, offering strategies to minimize the risks of drug use. By staying mindful of her limits, she uses drugs as a way to deepen her connection to herself and her creativity.

Examples

• The author’s use of marijuana to alleviate pain and anxiety.
• The racial disparities in marijuana legalization and incarceration.
• The Harm Reduction Coalition’s support for safe drug use.

5. Somatics helps us reconnect with our bodies.

Somatics is a therapeutic practice that uses movement and bodywork to help people process trauma and reconnect with their bodies. For the author, somatics was a turning point in her healing journey. It allowed her to release past pain and develop a deeper understanding of herself.

When we experience trauma, our bodies often hold onto the pain, even if our minds try to move on. Somatics helps us access these buried emotions and work through them with compassion. This process can lead to greater empathy for ourselves and others, which is essential for social justice work.

The author’s experience with Generative Somatics and the BOLD program highlights the transformative power of this practice. By creating safe spaces for people to share their pain and joy, these programs foster healing and connection.

Examples

• The author’s participation in the “Somatics and Social Justice” course.
• Generative Somatics’ focus on healing trauma through bodywork.
• The BOLD program’s emphasis on emotional connection and political action.

6. Pleasure activism is a tool for social change.

Pleasure is not just personal; it’s political. By prioritizing joy and connection, we can challenge systems of oppression and envision a better world. Pleasure activism encourages us to build communities that value honesty, empathy, and interdependence.

Octavia Butler’s science fiction offers a blueprint for this future. Her stories imagine societies where radical honesty and mutual care are the norm. These visions inspire us to create a world where pleasure is central to our survival and growth.

The author believes that by healing ourselves and embracing pleasure, we can also heal our communities. This is the essence of pleasure activism: using joy as a force for liberation and transformation.

Examples

• Octavia Butler’s speculative fiction as a guide for building better communities.
• The author’s focus on marginalized communities in her work.
• The idea of pleasure as a measure of freedom and liberation.

Takeaways

1. Practice saying yes to the things that bring you joy and align with your values. Use this as a guide for making decisions in your life.
2. Explore therapeutic practices like somatics to reconnect with your body and process past trauma.
3. Create spaces for joy and connection in your community, and use pleasure as a tool for social change.