You know that feeling that rises up from the pits of your gut when someone cuts in front of you in a really long line. That feeling when a member of your final semester project, doesn’t do their part of the workload. The bubbling feeling that rises when the WiFi doesn’t work after an already stressful day, when your boss gives you specifically a hard time at work or when the fashion cop sends you back home because your clothing is ‘revealing’. That, that feeling is anger.
Anger is depicted as an intense expression of emotion characterized by antagonism toward someone or something you feel has done you wrong. Since it is an intense emotion, it usually leads to an intense and ‘negative’ response and because of this, anger has been perceived as a bad emotion, an evil. It has largely been associated with the worst events in history. From Cain killing his brother in anger due to jealousy, to Genghis Khan of the Khan dynasty starting an anger fueled war against his blood-brother Jamukha, after Jamukha kidnapped his wife and betrayed him. How about right here at home, the 2007 post election violence that erupted when some of the Kenyan citizens felt conned after the results were announced and took their anger to the streets.
So yes, anger deemed as an evil is logical, but that doesn’t mean it’s wholly true. Even though a majority of religious groups and wise philosophers disagree that it is good, like Seneca who said that ‘Anger is worthless even in war.’, it is ignorant to deny it. Anger, as contradicting as this sounds, is also a good thing. It has, over the centuries, brought about its fair share of great achievements.
Aristotle the philosopher said that it is useful for preventing injustice. Surprisingly, even some members of the church discovered that anger can bring us closer to God if we release it to Him instead of suppressing it. As much as they all agree and support my case, without evidence or any application, it is merely typed words on a screen.
Anger founded upon being discriminated against brings about an urge for change. Think about every resolution, freedom stand, boycott or strike that has ever happened. It was because people had come to the point where they were sick and tired of feeling inferior or discriminated against. The Mau Mau movement began because Kenyans wanted the rights they had been denied. Do you think that doctors and lecturers boycott on the streets because the have decided to go for a long walk where they would sing about their delightful paychecks. No! They are angry and so they march in the hope that it will bring change.
The greatest songs were composed out of anger. 40% of the songs on your playlist are heartbreak anger induced songs (if it’s more than that, you seriously need to talk to someone). Fur Elise, a classical piano ballad by Ludwig van Beethoven, was composed out of anger and pure pettiness. The story behind its creation is that Beethoven fell in love with one of his piano students, Theresa, shortened to Elise, who happened to be a bad piano player. To win her over, Beethoven composed a beautiful yet simple melody that even she could play and show of to her family and friends. He named the song ‘Fur Elise’ meaning ‘for Elise’. However, Elise rejected Beethoven and married an Austrian nobleman. Angry about this, Beethoven added a second part to the song, which happened to be too complicated for Elise to play. This ensured that Elise would never be able to play her song till the very end.
Justice is the use of anger in the right state of mind to seek justice. When a crime is committed against us or our loved ones, we seek justice. When the ‘Me Too’ movement begun, many ladies and men came out and spoke out about how they had been sexually harassed or defiled. Their anger and outrage helped them break free from the captivating silence. Today, the anger from being wronged motivates many to seek justice.
When anger is directed in the right direction it gives one passion and drive to perform great things. This is most likely because of the adrenaline rush anger releases into the brain. When one is angry, the brain releases two hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. This boosts one’s energy. The boost in energy enables one to do a lot of work, mostly great work.
This also insights the flight or fight mode. When one feels attacked, cornered or mistreated, the brain spikes up the level of the anger hormones. That’s why you have the sudden urge to fight and defend yourself.
Without anger, many achievements would have never come to pass. Think about the time you used anger positively, maybe to stand up for yourself or someone else. As long as your anger is in the right place, you are in the right state of mind and not hurting anyone, release it and use it. Never suppress your anger, it’s unhealthy for your mind, soul and body and also causes wrinkles.
So go out, seek your justice, stand up for yourselves, compose your works of art. Release your anger in a positive manner.
It's amazing Liz. :))👏