Anger is a natural emotion that we all experience. We feel anger when we are angry, and experience it in response to many things, including ethical violations, mistreatments, and insults.
IPCC guidelines state that anger is a healthy emotion that helps us focus and communicate. It can be both an expression and suppression of tension, which is why it is referred to as a “gatekeeper” emotion.
When someone engages in racist behavior, you may feel angry but try to control your expression because you don’t want to reveal how angry you are. You may also feel suppressed because you don’t want to speak out or indignation when others do not understand your feelings. These feelings of anger and suppression may continue for a long time after the event occurred.
This can be difficult to handle since there are times when we need to express our emotions in order to cope with the situation or person.
Expression
Most scholars agree that it is more effective to express anger than to be angry.
We know this because we see it in practice every day.
We know it because we see it in practice every day. Because of our social media feeds, we know that being angry is not a concept that can be hidden.
Because of our social media feeds, we know that being angry is not a concept that can be hidden. We know this first-hand when friends and family members tell us they are angry but don’t want to say or do anything about it.
We know this first-hand when friends and family members tell us they are angry but don’t want to say or do anything about it. They fear being seen as “angry” or “wanting to fight” if they express their anger. People of color experience racial anger more often than others due to historical trauma and institutional racism, which causes them additional pressure to stay calm.
Consider both approaches
A third option is to consider a different term for racism,Spectacle Racism. This term was coined to describe the way we as a society view and treat people of color in our culture, specifically.
The word spectacle refers to a display or presentation, typically of something unusual or valuable. In this sense, spectacles against racism are valuable in teaching people about race and racism, but not all races are the same.
By using the term spectacle instead of name-calling or anger expression, we can realize that we do not have to turn off our minds or hearts when we experience Racism, but can instead consider it an experience like any other.
We can examine it from different points of view and countories, looking for solutions that don’t involve punishing or isolating the person experiencing Racism. We can also consider ways to help them feel more comfortable and safe in their spaces.
Understanding anger toward racism
Although most people experience anger toward racism in different ways, there are some basic things that anyone who hates racism should know.
1. It is an emotion, not a thinking process
Although we may think of words and phrases when we are angry at something related to race, we can’t use those thoughts and phrases to control our anger or change our behavior.
2. It is a very real emotion that should be treated with care
People who experience anger at racism don’t want to be treated like “rednecks” or “douches” they don’t want to be labeled with terms such as “nigger” or “boyfriend.” These terms convey negative stereotypes that people don’t want to be associated with when they speak out against Racism.
3.
Understanding racism
When we think of racism, we think of hate speech and violence against people of color. But racism is a silent, hidden hurt that ruins lives.
It’s something that affects both black and white people, making it difficult to recognize when others don’t understand or agree with you. It can be difficult to identify as well, since there are no obvious signs.
When someone is racist, they feel a sense of power that comes with thinking they know what is true and correct. They may also feel justified in doing things to prevent others from understanding or expressing an opinion that does not match their own.
This can include acting without being asked to do so, making assumptions based on race or ethnicity, avoiding topics related to race or trying to cover up their thoughts about people with the assumption that they are correct, and more.
Recognizing your reactions to racism
When we’re angry, we engage in self-criticism and internal accounting. We evaluate our behavior and feel compelled to take responsibility for it.
We also feel compelled to say and do things to express our anger. We may lash out at others or ourselves with comments like “that’s why…” or “I can understand how that would make you angry.”
Making yourself acknowledge your feelings is a step towards recognizing their validity and assembling the facts behind them. This reduces the likelihood of making a completely unsupported claim or extreme reaction, both of which can be harmful.
When we’re struggling with emotions, it can be helpful to think back to times when we were more calm.
Managing your reactions to racism
One of the most important things to do when you experience racism is to learn how to manage your reactions. This can be hard to do at times, as we are all human and have our own unique ways of reacting.
It is important to realize that not all racism is negative or harmful. There are many people who believe certain things about people of other races that are valid, but still choose not to acknowledge it as a source of information.
By acknowledging this source of information, you will be able to work on changing your views on people of other races. You can also choose not to respond angrily when someone says something racist, which can be a way out of the issue.
Another way to handle anger over racism isto recognize that it is not the person’s fault and that it is only them who needs to change. This can help with keeping emotions in check.
Learning to express your anger in a healthy way
While it is important to face and deal with our anger, it is also important to learn how to express our anger in a healthy way.
Many times, people who are angry resort to insulting others or taking things literally rather than thinking through what they are saying and how it applies.
By learning how to express your anger in a healthy way, you are also learning how to handle other situations more effectively.
You will be less likely to swing from expressing intense anger at someone’s actions to raging about the entire world and more likely to maintain focus on the situation at hand while still being respectful of the person or group that you are upset with.
You will also be less inclined to shy away from opportunities that cause you pain, which can keep up an even stronger expression of happiness about what was done for everyone.
Recognize the harm of racism
When racism persists, it can be a complex, deeply rooted system. This system may be internal or external, social or institutional.
Internalized racism can remains hidden for a long time, coming out in conversation or in policies and practices. At the same time, institutional racism continues to affect our community through funding sources and public safety priorities.
Because of the lasting effects of these systems, it is important to address them collectively. The most effective way to do this is by recognizing the harm that racism causes and by addressing the many ways in which people are denied opportunities due to their race or background.
It is important to recognize that no one person or thing is responsible for all of these issues and that addressing all of them together will not end discrimination or create equal opportunities for everyone. It only reveals the need for more activism and change.
