If it pleases me...
it pleases us
(Almost) Winter blessings lovely people,
What you been reading lately?
I just finished Pleasure Activism, written and curated by the amazing adrienne marie brown, and y’all. I’m revived.
Essentially, adrienne marie brown describes pleasure activism as “… us learning to make justice and liberation the most pleasurable experiences we can have on this planet.” (See: a quick breakdown of pleasure activism written by the author)
It seems so simple. To lead with what feels good and right in your core towards a better future for everyone. But it’s also so easy to get distracted. Toni Morrison spoke of how distraction as a tool of racism keeps you from doing your work, and of course racism can represent all things under the umbrella of white supremacy; all the isms.
Pleasure activism helps us focus, helps us remember what the work really is, and how deeply it matters. Shout out to the honorable ancestor, Audre Lorde for a blueprint of this philosophy, so wonderfully expressed in her essay (also featured in the book), “Uses of the Erotic.” And to Octavia Butler, frequently referenced in the book as adrienne’s ancestral kindred spirit and teacher, who emphasized the beauty and power of change.
It will be winter, soon. This is a time for rest, quiet, reassessment, release. I am so full and inspired that I am beyond excited as to what will be born from this. In the meantime though, I am continuously and endlessly grateful for good books, good art.
good art
be antidote for present poison
we reject
we ingest
created, creation
be felt, be good
good art
Somatic coach and philanthropist Alta Starr said, in conversation with adrienne, that someone once called her a “disciple of joy.”
The whole point of this newsletter, its intention from jump, was/is to bring joy, and in turn, pleasure.
I have not heard a better descriptor of what I feel this newsletter, and much of my creative intention, happen to be rooted in. And so it’s wild that I have only just read this book, and been blessed with its many, many gems.
I’d like to offer you just a few quotes I highlighted during my read. Albeit, out of context of the larger work, but nonetheless poignant, and perhaps inspiring some sort of journey of thought for you, as they did for me:
When asked to share a fundamental truth about pleasure, elder feminist and activist Idelisse Malave said:
Perhaps my mantra: “If it pleases me, I will.” I don’t mean free license to do whatever I want regardless of the consequences to me or others. Pleasure is deeper than that—it encompasses our values.
In the chapter called “Who taught you to feel good,”adrienne says:
Does the agenda or space allow for aliveness, connection, and joy? Is there a “yes!” at the center of the work? There are so many things that are violent, offensive, unbearable. An embodied “no” is so justified—but I don’t believe it moves us forward. “Yes!” has a future. ”
Alta Starr shares her thoughts on pains place in questions of pleasure:
Pleasure, for me, doesn’t exclude or deny pain. The same self, the same inclusive awareness that allows me to experience pleasure, may retreat or cramp up in the face of pain (physical or emotional) but returns, and so far, is always bigger and able to absorb or metabolize it. What do I mean? A light example: say, I drop a can of baked beans on my toe! OWWWWW! And, of course, sit and cradle the toe in my hands and squinch up (you know, squinch, all tight), and breathe, and get curious, invite my awareness to be with that pressure and cramp and burning ache, and so far, every time, that awareness changes my relationship to what hurts. Of course, the pain of personal loss or of our suffering world asks for an even larger and steadier awareness, anchored in that livingness that neither loses nor suffers.
A reverberating question for me now from the chapter, “It’s time to reclaim our skin:”
Can we remember what it is to be alive with each other, beyond suffering and survival?
And another, in chapter “Liberating your fantasies:”
So few people make it to this question: what do I really want?
I’ll leave us there for now. I’ve mentioned before how I’m the type to know within seconds if a book, film, etc. isn’t for me (or, at least, not at that moment). I now have the language to know that this is simply me leading with what pleases me. And it always leads me places like this. So worth it.
As humans, we are inspired by art to be more deeply ourselves. And as an artist, I have a responsibility, as Toni Cade Bambara said, to make the revolution into this becoming irresistible. I can only do that if I am so deeply in love with the future I am working to build. This requires pleasure.
And, oh, it pleases me.
P.s.: Pleasure Activism is available via the Queer Liberation Library, a free library full of all genre of books by queer authors.
*Whispers*: My book and audiobook Pansy are there, too!
Class time!
Last post, I proposed a fun idea of offering free classes. Many of y’all were interested!
So. There are five classes, listed in the survey below. I’ll explain each of them in this post (scroll for more). Note that each lesson will be ~1-hour presentation with time for questions throughout, and at the end.
Once you have a look, feel free to click on the link and pick your preference.
I’m thinking we’ll do one free class every two-three months, so even if your pick doesn’t win this time, we’ll come back around to it. In early January, I’ll reach out to those of you who responded and we’ll go from there for scheduling and such.
Using magical realism in memoir/essay writing: We’ll explore how magical realism can be used in first-person non-fiction writing, inspired by Audre Lorde’s Zami and my use of this style in my memoir, Pansy.
Intro to magical realism: We’ll explore this fascinating genre’s history, elements, and uses. You’ll leave with a basic understanding of the genre and how to approach it in your writing.
Overcoming writer’s block: Many of us may have experienced what is often called “writer’s block,” also known as creative blocks. But what if this artistic phenomenon is fundamentally misunderstood? I’ll work to re-frame the concept of “writers block” in order to help writers overcome and even prevent its future instances.
The personal essay and you: We’ll explore notable memorist over the generations, like Kiese Laymon, Maya Angelou, and David Sedaris to better understand what makes an impactful personal essay.
Intro to fantasy writing: We’ll explore the basics of fantasy writing by learning about it’s many sub-genres, and how (and why) to world-build.
p.s.s: If you know someone who might be interested in these classes, feel free to share this post and they can fill out the survey as well.
See y’all in 2026!
Love,
Jasper
“Pleasure is deeper than that—it encompasses our values.” YES GAWDDDD I love this.