Radical Self-Care: What We Can Learn From Activist Angela Davis

Presently the term self-care is thrown around a lot. In many academic and employment settings we are told self-care is important, and we are encouraged to prioritize our mental health. However, we are not always supported past that initial conversation. When you think of self-care, what do you picture? Perhaps in your own life you like to unwind by taking a bath, or losing yourself in a video game or a good book. These activities are great, however, self-care is so much more than that. Self-care is a radical act for many as they learn to put their needs, emotions, and well-being first.

You may have heard the name Angela Davis pop up over the past years. As an activist for Black lives and education for decades, she is familiar with the toll that not just activism, but living as a Black woman can have mentally and physically on a person. We wanted to include the video below where she talks about radical self-care and why it’s so important to be able to prioritize ourselves. She specifically talks about how this is important for those who participate in activism (and can be prone to burnout because of how heavy the content can be as well as taking care of others) and those from marginalized groups who have historically been told that they do not matter.

Check it out below!

What are some ways you can practice radical self-care in your life?