Congratulations to Gabrielle Civil for getting on the longlist of The Believer Book Awards in the Non-Fiction category for Experiments in Joy.
She talks about her amazing book, her work and other dope ass things with Jeff Alessandrelli over at Full Stop.
Yes, vulnerability is definitely a big part of Experiments in Joy. I mention my lost fertility in the book, messages I received as a girl about my body, and certainly the piece with Moe brings in love, sexuality, anger, and desire. The use of the letter form helped these vulnerable topics appear organically in my writing. So in my letter to Moe, I can both proclaim: “I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT” and go ahead and talk about it anyway.
Gabrielle also speaks on joy, especially during COVID-19 times at Playwrights’ Center.
What is irresistible to us?
Black feminist joy is uplifting survival and possibility.
Black feminist joy is transformation.
Black feminist joy is not a feeling but a practice.
And finally, here’s some Gabrielle video of her reading from Experiments in Joy for the Poetry Project. Enjoy.
