Stop & Rest: Black Women,Refusal,and Rest as Praxis in Social Work

Abstract

This article explores the necessity of intentional rest for Black women and Black women social workers in the United States. It examines rest as a Black feminist and Womanist praxis of refusal, resistance, and restoration, highlighting how stopping overwork, divesting from performative equity systems, and prioritizing self-preservation protect our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. The discussion situates rest within the historical and contemporary context of gendered anti-Black racism, the structural exploitation embedded in the professionalization of social work, and ongoing assaults on civil rights, bodily autonomy, and economic security. The article emphasizes the embodied, creative, communal, and spiritual dimensions of rest, framing it as essential for Black women's survival, health, and collective liberation.