Healing Racial Battle Fatigue and Reconnecting With Joy

During the 2025 Conference on Racial and Social Justice in Portland, I attended a session titled Healing Racial Battle Fatigue and Reconnecting with Joy. This session addressed the emotional and physical toll that racism, microaggressions, and racial macroaggressions can take on educators, especially those working in challenging school environments. The facilitators reminded us that racial battle fatigue is more than exhaustion or burnout; it is a deep weariness that comes from experiencing ongoing racial stressors in both subtle and overt ways.

One concept that resonated with me was the idea that “a small cut (a microaggression) may not harm you by itself, but if you are covered in several cuts, it can leave you severely wounded.” This metaphor captured the cumulative weight of racial slights and systemic inequities that educators of color often face. The session encouraged reflection on personal and professional factors that impact mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. For me, the discussion meant considering stressors such as disability-related challenges, feeling overlooked or underestimated, and the physical disruption of my workspace.

Importantly, the session emphasized the role of healing through joy. We were invited to reflect on the sources of joy that help us resist burnout and stay grounded in our purpose. I immediately thought of my own “daily joy vitamin”: the simple pleasure of sharing laughter with friends. These moments remind me of the power of kindness, connection, and community, and they help restore my energy and optimism.

The facilitators also emphasized practical steps to reclaim joy and resilience:

• Centering joy in both the classroom and the teaching profession.

• Setting personal and professional goals that honor your well-being.

• Understanding and evaluating your boundaries to protect mental health.

This session reminded me that to show up fully for students and colleagues, I must recognize the impact of racial battle fatigue and intentionally cultivate spaces of joy, reflection, and restoration. 

This post is part of my Summer Learning Series, where I’m sharing key takeaways from the professional learning experiences that shaped my thinking this summer. I encourage you to follow along and check out the other posts as I continue reflecting on what I’ve learned—and how it will impact my work moving forward.

🟡 Stay tuned to find out about the University of Maryland One Thing Conference.