Anger is sometimes a result of intense self righteousness or firm belief in a cause. The frustration results from others who do not believe the same way. The individual is so firmly entrenched in his or her belief, RIGHT OR WRONG, that when others are oblivious to it, one can become triggered to rage or feel justified in one’s violence.
One can see this type of political and social anger today. Protests become riots and friendly political rivalries between friends become heated exchanges that can damage a friendship. This all stems from this ideal that one forms as an identity to oneself. One may despise a certain or like a certain president because of how he connects or disconnects from one’s belief system. The president can represent such evil to one that when others find good in him, the end result is anger that can turn rude or even violent.
Whether a president is good or bad is not the case in this article. The point is that one’s perception, whether valid or invalid, creates a source of potential anger which can become very rude or violent quickly. The riots taking place throughout the nation over race, police and reform is another prime example. When beliefs are so strong that justified or unjustified anger overflows into rage and violence, then one can see a larger issue. The anger may be critical to change, but when the anger becomes violent, then it becomes as evil as the issue itself.
Individuals who protest for change, or individuals who have a particular strong political allegiance to a party or president cannot demonize each other with propaganda, nor allow justified anger to overflow into violence. Violence is never justified. Terrorism is never justified.
Due to the division, the anger and rage, friendships are torn into two, relationships are torn into two, families are torn into two, communities are torn into two, and a nation is torn into two. It is fine to be angry. It is even fine to be angry if your wrong. What is universally wrong is when one allows emotions over issues to go beyond anger and social graces. It is wrong to allow anger over issues to become emotionally abusive and violent. Individuals need to utilize anger properly. To use it for true change, as well as better dialogue with understanding.
The riots of today will not solve any issues. The breaking and division of friends and homes will not solve any problems. What will change the problems is anger used properly and directed towards peaceful protests as well as meaningful and respectful dialogue between political rivals. This is something however that has been amiss. Our own politicians behave like children with name calling. The issue must be resolved from the family house to the White House itself.
Till then, we will continue to see friends, family and communities divided, as well as the rise of left wing and right wing terrorist groups that riot and threaten each other.
In turn, how can we react? We can stop believing that our opinion is infallible. We need to re-direct and see if our views are maybe in need of moderation. If not, so be it, but we need to access our beliefs as well as look to better communicate it with others. We need to be mindful that others may come from different backgrounds and approach situations differently. We can disagree with the their points but we cannot demonize them as individuals. We must further look to calm our own anger when others disagree. We need to utilize our anger to search for better ways to find justice without allowing our anger to become more evil than the injustice itself.
If we find ourselves too consumed with anger, like in any case, we need to walk away from the issue. We need to reflect deeper on our self and understand why we are angry and allow ourselves to find a time to calm down. If social media is a source of anger and frustration that can fall into the real world, we need to walk away from comments or threads that can create greater levels of anger. Every comment does not need a response.
If you would like to learn more about Anger Management or would like to review our Anger Management Training Program, then please review AIHCP’s Anger Management Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.