For Adreinne Waheed, the photographer behind the 2019 photo book "Black Joy and Resistance," structural racism and the economic inequalities it creates are among the biggest barriers to Black joy.

We amplify the truths of Black folk and other people of color living as their fullest selves in a region, in a country, set up to keep them from doing just that. Their joy is a form of resistance.

“Black joy to me means preserving happiness and sharing ... It means laughter, celebration, freedom and resistance to oppression and that which would rather see us suffer, struggle and in ...

Black people have been fighting oppression for so long, said Saina Kathi, another student curator when referencing words from their course professor. “He says joy is another form of resistance as well ...

There is more to our story as Black women than struggle and resistance. We are authors of beauty and architects of brilliance. Getting to that place requires that we invite practices of joy.