How Should I Use My Anger in My Advocacy?

Image: Cynthia's fist raised in front of the U.S.
Capitol wearing a bracelet that says "Speak Up."

With the new year fast approaching, I’ve been considering what kind of energy I want to bring into the next four years of the upcoming Trump administration. I’ve been wrestling with a question as a person who focuses on positivity and building bridges: As our country heads toward a time of more anger and volatility, should I lean into my own anger in my activism or double down on my message of using mom-qualities like kindness and compassion in advocacy?

Image: Cynthia looking angry with arms crossed by
a Disney animation exhibit. Writing on the wall
 says, "can be wrinkled in sassy or angry moods"

Women I follow and many of my followers are mad as hell about U.S. policy and politics. Honestly, so am I. I wonder how my message as an author and speaker fits the current vibe? It’s part of my core message that moms make great advocates because we’re experts in the most important skills that we coach our children to use. I’ve asserted that we can be at the forefront of carrying a positive tone of reason, kindness, and respect into politics. Does this sound naïve now? Should I change my message to fit the current times or double down on what I’ve been saying all along?

I’d usually advise someone to be true to oneself because the best work never comes from an inauthentic place. But what if my dedication to making connections is sincere AND my Mama-bear anger is also real when I hear of a school shooting in Madison, WI?

Image: Cynthia holding a dinosaur
Christmas stocking and wearing a
tshirt that says "Peace be with you."

I own a t-shirt with a quote from the book "A Wrinkle in Time" that says, “Stay angry, Little Meg. You will need all your anger now.” But I also own a t-shirt that says, “Peace be with you.” On the surface, they are opposite messages, but they help me express myself in different moods. I think there’s an answer in there somewhere if I figure out why both shirts resonate with me.

Do we “need” anger in trying times? In the world of Disney’s Inside Out and Inside Out 2, Anger is one of the character emotions sharing control of pre-teen Riley. In her opening description of the characters, Joy says about him, "That's Anger. He cares very deeply about things being fair." In other words, he is linked closely with a sense of justice. His character is revealed to be an essential part of drive and determination in Riley's hockey games. In the Inside Out spinoff series “Dream Productions,” Anger has a hilarious cameo that shows that he’s an emotion who can get things done quickly and effectively. But he isn’t much of a planner. When Anger takes control, he can make terrible decisions. Can we use anger as a tool for inspiration rather than a guiding force in our lives? Can we use anger as fuel to keep our engines running without letting it control us?

Image: A statue of Ghandi
in Washington D.C.

In the history of peaceful activists, Ghandi usually is pretty high on the list of people folks think of first. Ghandi said about anger, 

“I have learned to use my anger for good…without it, we would not be motivated to rise to a challenge. It is an energy that compels us to define what is just and unjust.” 

I’m inspired by this example of someone who embraced his anger, harnessed it, and used it for peaceful purposes. Richard Rohr, American priest and writer, contemplated Ghandi's words as well and offered this:

"The healthy expression of righteous anger can translate communal despair into compassionate action and justice-seeking."

Image: Cynthia talking to Senator Josh
Hawley in front of an American flag 

This seems right to me. I like this idea that we can use anger to move from despair or denial or resignation to a place where we can work for justice with others.

Today, I’m optimistic enough to strive to use anger for these purposes. So, I’ll process my mad feelings with my friends, my spouse, and my therapist with the goal that I can continue to be a peaceful person and a bridge-builder when I write media pieces or speak with members of Congress. There are plenty of influencers out there growing in negativity, so I’m sure people searching for that brand of activism will find what they seek. I’ll continue to occupy a space where advocates tired of or intimidated by political vitriol can develop their powerful voices.