How are you going to mentally overcome tragedies like the recent killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri? There seems to be another news update every 10 minutes about the incident, and it’s draining. Ever since Trayvon Martin I have been trying to deal with high profile deaths of people who look like me. Do I protest? Do I meditate? Do I try to forget it for the sake of my own sanity? Most of us have tried it all, and have felt utterly helpless at some point during the way.
I was recently speaking with one of my friends about the incidents surrounding Mike Brown’s death in Ferguson. She too, was upset because she had so much pent up anger and no clue what to do with it besides sharing stories on social media. And I couldn’t give her much satisfying advice. Then I remembered a book I had read in my community organizing class at Occidental called “Cold Anger.” The idea is pretty straight forward; taking one’s red-hot energy, passion, and pain, and dispersing it throughout one’s lifespan in a controlled slow-burning furnace of level-headed efficacy (aka change).
When a community faces a perceived tragedy or injustice, it is quite natural for that group to unleash its anger and frustration in the form of rallies and protests. Let’s call this energy “hot anger.” It’s loud, it’s confrontational, and it’s often effective. But this type of energy is also low on stamina. Unfortunately you can’t yell and protest forever. People get tired and disillusioned, others have to work or tend to their families. When groups do not solidify specific goals and strategies, things become unorganized and peter out. This is the part where campaigns break down (see Occupy Wall Street).
This is when Cold Anger comes into play. This is when communities establish permanent organizations to keep the energy alive. It’s when protests turn into boycotts and lobbying public officials. It’s when communities become politically active and start voting and educating themselves. They take their hot anger; turn the dial down to just the point where they can think straight and strategize for the future, and proceed to fight to change the system. They use instances of injustice and tragedy, like Ferguson, to fuel their efforts when moral gets low. Wash, rinse, and repeat for the rest of your life.
Cold Anger and You.
Keep talking about these issues (with the other side): especially when you think it might be awkward or people might try to shut you down. Mike Brown will not be the last victim, but we have to fight like he could be. So keep blabbin. Talk (don't yell) with people who support the officer who shot Mike Brown. Authentically try to understand their opinion. You don't even have to bother arguing your side if you feel triggered. Walk away silently (nah you should probably say bye or something). 1 on 1 civil discourse is how we'll win this bad boy.
Voting: Vote. I understand that some people “don’t believe” in voting, but I secretly think they just don’t know where to register (where to register). They say their vote won’t matter anyway, but I’d bet money that if they re-instituted the poll tax (and other voter-suppression laws) those same people would be marching to the polls talking about “My Rights!” America’s low voter turnout means that your vote means even more. Put pressure on these politicians to address police brutality.
Volunteering: Do you exist on Saturdays and Sundays? Consider volunteering. Research and call different organizations to seek out volunteer opportunities. Or just walk in the door. Be a tutor or a mentor so that you help send kids to college and keep them off the streets, and keep the streets off of them. Remember why you are volunteering. Keep in mind people Mike Brown, Eric Garner, and the countless other unnamed people whose deaths have moved you. (volunteer)
Donate Money: I just read that the officer who killed Mike Brown has received more financial support than Mr. Brown himself. Why? Because of how us “liberals” spend our money. Start off by canceling your Netflix account and giving 8 dollars a month to group of your choice (i.e. nonprofit, political campaign). Oh wait, your shows are too important? Maybe you’re not as serious as you thought about your activism? I’m essentially saying to think about where your money goes, and who it supports. Even if all you can afford is a symbolic $1 donation…Basically put your money where your mouth is. You can do this literally in the next 10 minutes. (Donate to Mike Brown Family) or (justgive.org)
Read up on your history (not just your own): I thought I knew about black history until I actually took a class on it (turns out there’s more to black people than Martin Luther King and slavery). But you don’t need a class to put today’s issues into context. When you learn more, then maybe these black men getting murdered won’t seem so random and unfathomable. In addition to great articles on the Internet, your city probably has a building that looks like this:
Walk inside of this building. Ask the person at the desk what to do next.
Maintain an irrational sense of Hope: It’s quite easy to lose hope in situations like these. After the Trayvon Martin case ended I couldn’t do any schoolwork for a couple of days. And while there definitely should be a period of grieving and remorse (and even loss of hope); the bitter truth is that people who are continuously without hope are useless to a movement. They even bring others down. So don’t take the easy way out. I find the best way to get my hope up is to get other’s hope up first, even if you’re not so sure. Mourn, cry, dialogue, bounce back, we need you.
Enjoy life: Happiness is a form of resistance. I learned this in an impoverished favela in the outskirts of Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. Life is as sad as it is beautiful. Happiness isn't a goal, it's a way to get through the hard times. If you understand this then you'll understand how some people can "decide" to be happy. Keep your sense of humor (or develop one). Do fun things. Hell, reactivate your Netflix account. Be nice to people, especially those who look at you funny. As one of my mentors once told me, "Kill 'em with kindness." Again, happiness is a form of resistance. Don't just be happy to please yourself, be happy to inspire others too.
Cold Anger has its highs and lows but it doesn't fizzle out. It's not flashy. It won't get you many retweets or shares. But it puts purpose in every action you take. Its stamina. After all, justice is a marathon.
As far as my Cold Anger goes, I think I am going to start by being extra nice to every police officer I see. I’ll smile, give pleasant smalltalk, maybe even a silent patriotic nod of acknowledgement as they drive past. I’ll be jovial even if I have to fake it. I’ll do it so that maybe when the next time he's pointing his gun at a black man, the officer will remember my kind attitude. Maybe that “gun” in the black man's pocket will start looking more like an iphone. Or maybe an Android. Or nothing at all. Don't shoot.
Greg
Well said. Your thoughts flow like the rivers of life, springing forth into the mind like a geyser of great depth whose steam permeates every neurological synapse.
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