June is for Joy and Rebellion

June 2023

As we enter the month of June, we'd like to take a moment to talk about the radical importance of joy and celebration in our movements.

 Our work is heavy. Our small but mighty organization often takes on more than we can chew because living in our values is hard and constant work. At JFMF we are constantly supporting people the government casts aside, detains and tortures in the name of "security" and "American values". Our staff and volunteers are incredible, and only human, and sometimes the tragedy and cruelty of the US immigration system is too hard to bear. 

And then, there is joy. There is imagination. There is ingenuity and resilience and the brilliant shine of our people.  There is the hope of waking up safe, the joy of falling asleep without constant vigilance. There are children playing and people laughing, a hot meal served by a stranger who is using Google Translate to say hello and welcome. There is hope. 

June is a month for joy. A month of rainbows, blooming poppies, solstice alters and dance parties. It is the joy of freedom songs sung to celebrate emancipation and Black power. It is a month of glitter, thumping beats and the echoing cries of our Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous and People of Color ancestors who demanded dignity and respect. June is a month to fight for liberation for all with dance, song, color and brilliance. 

Our work continues. The hard, heavy, heaving cries of grief and rage at injustice remain. The welcoming of people with food, bus tickets and kind smiles will go on. We will respond rapidly to changing conditions and center dignity as we fumble forwards...and. And, we will take up space in the streets. We will march down Elmwood and Jefferson Avenues with cries for respect and wholeness. We will wave flags to celebrate the outstanding truth that we are here, and we ain't going anywhere. 

Our beloved ancestor Emma Goldman once said "If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution". So this month, we invite you to dance with us. Renew your commitment to joy, beauty, dance and play not in spite of the work, but as the work itself. Practice the liberatory joy of welcome. 

-Emily Terrana