hilarious feminist army lady parts justice league reminds us to laugh while fighting for change

At this year’s AFROPUNK Brooklyn, amid musical soul-food, marketplace vendors, and a continuous outdoor fashion extravaganza that is more than just a show—is the heart of the AFROPUNK movement itself: Activism Row.

Activism Row is an interactive, educational, site-specific installation featuring grassroots and non-profit organizations that solve urgent community problems.

One organization in particular–Lady Parts Justice League–is taking heroism to the next level and giving radical interpretation to the phrase “laugh to keep from crying.”

The 5 year old feminist army works to combat oppression related to reproductive issues. Zeroing in on abortion rights, LPJ uses comedy and performance to take on stereotypes and conditioned shame in the most entertaining ways.

“I’m a black woman, and when they’re taking away rights from independent clinics that provide abortions to women of color and poor women, that affects me,” explained writer/performer Joyelle Nicole when interviewed at the festival. “Our organization erases abortion stigma. we want people to not be ashamed of the word. 1 in 3 women will have one in her life, so we use comedy to expose the douchebags in our government, and to keep independent clinics open.”

Preserving uterine autonomy under a Trump-Pence reign, Lady Parts Justice League is as critical as it is fascinating, support their cause here, and check out AFROPUNK Contributor Gitoo catching up with the organization at the festival in a fun video below: