Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto
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Average rating3.9
Far too many of us have claimed productivity as the cornerstone of success. Brainwashed by capitalism, we subject our bodies and minds to work at an unrealistic, damaging, and machine‑level pace of work -- feeding into the same engine that enslaved millions into brutal labor for its virtuous benefit. Our worth does not reside in how much we produce, especially for a system that exploits and dehumanizes us. Rest, in its simplest form, becomes an act of resistance and a reclaiming of power because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy. From the founder and creator of The Nap Ministry, Rest Is Resistance is a battle cry, a guidebook, a map for a movement, and a field guide for the weary and hopeful. It is rooted in spiritual energy and centered in Black liberation, womanism, somatics, and Afrofuturism. With captivating storytelling and practical advice, all delivered in Hersey's lyrical voice and informed by her deep experience in theology, activism, and performance art, Rest Is Resistance is a call to action and manifesto for those who are sleep deprived, searching for justice, and longing to be liberated from the oppressive grip of Grind Culture.
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I never thought about how resting could be a form of resisting capitalism and “grind culture” and this just makes so much sense. Especially for those who say they don't have time to rest, to take breaks, to take care of themselves. Giving yourself even just a minute's rest is taking a step to push back and say that you are not a machine.
The organization was a little wonky and it felt repetitive at times, but I loved the overall message.
I am 100% on board with Hersey ‘s thesis: “Rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy.” I agree with her that, “Grind culture has made us all human machines, willing and ready to donate our lives to a capitalist system that thrives by placing profits over people. The Rest Is Resistance movement is a connection and a path back to our true nature.”
I love several quotes throughout the book like this:
“We see care as unnecessary and unimportant. We believe we don't really have to rest. We falsely believe hard work guarantees success in a capitalist system. I have been told this constantly for as long as I can remember. On nights when I worked two jobs, still unable to pay my bills on time or save, I continued to tell myself, “Burn the midnight oil, keep working hard, go to college, find a third job and a side hustle.” (24)
My only complaint is that at just under 200 pages, it was repetitive enough to have been edited down into a really solid essay. But her message is so important. Hershey talks about how capitalism has devalued human life and rather than work ourselves to death we need to prioritize rest, resisting the pressure to be another cog in a machine.
The repetitiveness took away from the beauty and strength of this message. It reads like an essay that got stretched out into a book, not like a manifesto. Shame, cause it's such an important message. Though the language was a little too religious for me personally.
