Angry As Needed

Anger is hard to categorize for me sometimes. I have witnessed what can happen when someone lets anger get the best of them. Anger as an emotion is value neutral, not inherently “good” or “bad.” Like most things, it depends on the context and execution. Anger left to fester will only hurt people in the end, but anger can be the motivating factor that makes a true change.

Riots, as an idea, have been warped and molded into something baseless, violent, and angry. People speak of rioters as if they are nothing more than an aimless mob, as if they are not motivated by the genuine need for liberation and progress. It cannot be said that all riots will always be justified, because such an absolute statement is sure to fail, but that does not give anyone the excuse to dismiss rioters due to their high emotions. Yes, riots are angry. That is because the people rioting are angry. Something has pushed them to react in a way that they know will be paid attention. Humans are emotional creatures; slighting someone for their emotions is pointless and ignorant.

When MacDonald and Symmonds say “Even more, we are convinced that anger is a morally needed response to injustice and that hearing the rage of the rioter is necessary for flourishing” I wholeheartedly agree (39). Anger has its place in the human heart and in humanity’s actions. A necessary or burdened virtue may not be as pretty or simple as one might expect, but that does not diminish their value and power.