Good morning, Readers!
I got this image from an article on boingboing.net, which discusses how terrible the Furiosa comic is. That made me sad. The image is badass, though.
You're allowed to be angry.
Things really suck right now. You're allowed to be angry about that. And you're allowed to lay blame square on the shoulders of those who are to blame. Call a spade a spade.
You're allowed to cuss, and rant, scream into a pillow, punch a bag, hell, punch a wall (I've done it. I don't recommend it. I mean, I damaged the wall, but the wall ultimately won). You're allowed to tell the world that you are furious with the state of the world.
Be angry.
There is a lot to be angry about. People who are telling you not to be angry have a vested interest in keeping you silent, keeping you caged and inactive. Don't you pay attention to them. Don't you let them delegitimise what is an extremely legitimate emotion. You are right to be angry. And you have a right to be angry.
But don't become anger.
I was saddened by the news that at the counter-protest in Boston, some people thought it a good idea to try and snatch an American flag from a woman, and ended up dragging her. Elsewhere, a man who "looked like a Nazi" was stabbed.
Guys, no.
I get the anger. I really do. I'm angry, too. But this is unacceptable.
From what I understand, the Boston event was much more of an actual free speech rally than a white supremacist thing. While I do not agree with the supposed free speech march; a person's rights end where another's begin, and speech that infringes upon a person's right to live with their own damned country without fear is not a right. That includes marching under banners specifically designed to instil terror.
I was heartened to see counter protesters outnumber them extensively.
I was not happy about the violence.
Look, if you intervene when someone is beating another, and that requires some use of force, then you've done a good thing. If you start beating on someone, that's not good. Even if they really fucking deserve it, it's still not good.
It's a confusing time. Words are violence. They can do incredible amounts of damage. And the truth is, knowing this, I have a hard time mustering up any sympathy for any Nazi or otherwise affiliated white supremacist that gets punched in any context. And, you know, there are memes that make me laugh to that effect.
Things really suck right now. You're allowed to be angry about that. And you're allowed to lay blame square on the shoulders of those who are to blame. Call a spade a spade.
You're allowed to cuss, and rant, scream into a pillow, punch a bag, hell, punch a wall (I've done it. I don't recommend it. I mean, I damaged the wall, but the wall ultimately won). You're allowed to tell the world that you are furious with the state of the world.
Be angry.
There is a lot to be angry about. People who are telling you not to be angry have a vested interest in keeping you silent, keeping you caged and inactive. Don't you pay attention to them. Don't you let them delegitimise what is an extremely legitimate emotion. You are right to be angry. And you have a right to be angry.
But don't become anger.
I was saddened by the news that at the counter-protest in Boston, some people thought it a good idea to try and snatch an American flag from a woman, and ended up dragging her. Elsewhere, a man who "looked like a Nazi" was stabbed.
Guys, no.
I get the anger. I really do. I'm angry, too. But this is unacceptable.
From what I understand, the Boston event was much more of an actual free speech rally than a white supremacist thing. While I do not agree with the supposed free speech march; a person's rights end where another's begin, and speech that infringes upon a person's right to live with their own damned country without fear is not a right. That includes marching under banners specifically designed to instil terror.
I was heartened to see counter protesters outnumber them extensively.
I was not happy about the violence.
Look, if you intervene when someone is beating another, and that requires some use of force, then you've done a good thing. If you start beating on someone, that's not good. Even if they really fucking deserve it, it's still not good.
It's a confusing time. Words are violence. They can do incredible amounts of damage. And the truth is, knowing this, I have a hard time mustering up any sympathy for any Nazi or otherwise affiliated white supremacist that gets punched in any context. And, you know, there are memes that make me laugh to that effect.
I mean, c'mon! How can you not laugh?
I'm no the Dali Lama.
But that doesn't mean throwing the first punch is right. Even if it is justified.
So, be angry. And don't let people try and make you feel bad for being angry. You should be angry. There is a lot to be angry about. You are right and have a right to be angry. Don't let other people tell you otherwise.
Those people have skin in the game.
Anger is an uncomfortable emotion. It sucks to feel angry. But as long as you maintain control over it, and not the other way around, it can be an incredibly powerful emotion. Those telling you that your anger is wrong are afraid of that power.
So use that power to stand up and do what's right.
Consume that anger, don't let the anger consume you, or you'll soon find that you are no longer in the right.
Keep fighting, everyone. We need you to stand up and speak out.
But maybe save the violence for when it's actually needed.
And, for those of you about to protest that last sentence, don't pretend that violence was never needed.
But that doesn't mean throwing the first punch is right. Even if it is justified.
So, be angry. And don't let people try and make you feel bad for being angry. You should be angry. There is a lot to be angry about. You are right and have a right to be angry. Don't let other people tell you otherwise.
Those people have skin in the game.
Anger is an uncomfortable emotion. It sucks to feel angry. But as long as you maintain control over it, and not the other way around, it can be an incredibly powerful emotion. Those telling you that your anger is wrong are afraid of that power.
So use that power to stand up and do what's right.
Consume that anger, don't let the anger consume you, or you'll soon find that you are no longer in the right.
Keep fighting, everyone. We need you to stand up and speak out.
But maybe save the violence for when it's actually needed.
And, for those of you about to protest that last sentence, don't pretend that violence was never needed.
It was.
This, however, is not the time and place.
Do good, and be good for as long as you can. Lord knows there's enough unnecessary violence in the world right now. Try as best you're able not to add to it.
There are ways you can stand up and be counted on the right side of humanity without throwing punches, dragging women or stabbing randoms on the street. Look for charities that help victims of hate crimes. Also worthy of your funds are charities that help members of hate groups escape that group and regain their humanity. Speak out when you see people behave in abhorrent ways. Stand up in the face of racist talk and let the racist speaker know their ideology is unwelcome.
All of these things will have a greater long term effect than street violence. You don't get the instant gratification of a well-placed punch, but you do get to see a safer world for the next generation. And that, ultimately, is what we all want.
This, however, is not the time and place.
Do good, and be good for as long as you can. Lord knows there's enough unnecessary violence in the world right now. Try as best you're able not to add to it.
There are ways you can stand up and be counted on the right side of humanity without throwing punches, dragging women or stabbing randoms on the street. Look for charities that help victims of hate crimes. Also worthy of your funds are charities that help members of hate groups escape that group and regain their humanity. Speak out when you see people behave in abhorrent ways. Stand up in the face of racist talk and let the racist speaker know their ideology is unwelcome.
All of these things will have a greater long term effect than street violence. You don't get the instant gratification of a well-placed punch, but you do get to see a safer world for the next generation. And that, ultimately, is what we all want.
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