Comments on: Things You Need To Understand #8 – Anger Does Not Equal Hate http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/ Race, Politics, Gender, Sexuality, Anger Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:59:28 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: jenny http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/comment-page-1/#comment-5300 jenny Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:39:11 +0000 http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/#comment-5300 hi, i love your blog, i read it regularly. i am from india, where we have things like caste (which is almost like race) and violence against Muslims and Christians and of course sexism.. and most of the posts help me think about the issues back here and i really get so much information and insight about how things are in your country. jenny hi, i love your blog, i read it regularly. i am from india, where we have things like caste (which is almost like race) and violence against Muslims and Christians and of course sexism.. and most of the posts help me think about the issues back here and i really get so much information and insight about how things are in your country.

jenny

]]> By: Jennie http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/comment-page-1/#comment-5299 Jennie Tue, 27 May 2008 02:20:22 +0000 http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/#comment-5299 I found this blog while searching for the phrase "anger is not hatred". I agree with you ABW.. I think a lot of people think they are they same. Anger may lead to hatred, but need not do so. I think Martin Luther King Jr. was very angry. His anger was justified and he used it for good. He said: "If I wish to compose or write or pray or preach well, I must be angry. Then all the blood in my veins is stirred, and my understanding is sharpened." Anger can bring clarity about injustice to one's self or others. Regarding hatred, Dr. King said: "Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out hate; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." He also spoke of another reason not to hate - it is poisonous to the one who hates: http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/publications/sermons/571117.002_Loving_Your_Enemies.html This may be an oversimplification of a complex issue but I think the primary difference between anger and hate is that anger seeks to protect and defend, while hate seeks to destroy. I found this blog while searching for the phrase “anger is not hatred”. I agree with you ABW.. I think a lot of people think they are they same. Anger may lead to hatred, but need not do so.

I think Martin Luther King Jr. was very angry. His anger was justified and he used it for good. He said:

“If I wish to compose or write or pray or preach well, I must be angry. Then all the blood in my veins is stirred, and my understanding is sharpened.”

Anger can bring clarity about injustice to one’s self or others.

Regarding hatred, Dr. King said:

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out hate; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

He also spoke of another reason not to hate – it is poisonous to the one who hates:
http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/publications/sermons/571117.002_Loving_Your_Enemies.html

This may be an oversimplification of a complex issue but I think the primary difference between anger and hate is that anger seeks to protect and defend, while hate seeks to destroy.

]]> By: phledge http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/comment-page-1/#comment-5298 phledge Tue, 06 May 2008 00:11:29 +0000 http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/#comment-5298 I'm with JoSelle. This blog is a godsend to me, as I'm only now (at 34) becoming aware of my privilege. Thank you for your forthright postings---I'm ready to listen and learn! I’m with JoSelle. This blog is a godsend to me, as I’m only now (at 34) becoming aware of my privilege. Thank you for your forthright postings—I’m ready to listen and learn!

]]> By: Rhonda http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/comment-page-1/#comment-5297 Rhonda Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:09:15 +0000 http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/#comment-5297 There is a difference between righteous anger and hate...I'm an VERY ANGRY BLACK WOMAN, and with good reason...the acquital in the Sean Bell shooting is just one of many.... There is a difference between righteous anger and hate…I’m an VERY ANGRY BLACK WOMAN, and with good reason…the acquital in the Sean Bell shooting is just one of many….

]]> By: Mourning « Sin Vergüenza, y que? http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/comment-page-1/#comment-5275 Mourning « Sin Vergüenza, y que? Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:24:23 +0000 http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/#comment-5275 [...] Black Woman wrote a beautiful post about how her anger does not equate to hate. She must be a far better person than I am because [...] [...] Black Woman wrote a beautiful post about how her anger does not equate to hate. She must be a far better person than I am because [...]

]]> By: Justin http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/comment-page-1/#comment-5277 Justin Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:48:00 +0000 http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/#comment-5277 If being angry really helps you, and you aren't doing any harm, then who are we to judge? But I'm quite sick of this attitude that anger is a good thing. The problem with venting bad emotions is that it reinforces a bad mindset. Anger can motivate change for the better, etc., but it's still a blinding emotion -- you'll be better off if you can learn to stop it from rising. If being angry really helps you, and you aren’t doing any harm, then who are we to judge? But I’m quite sick of this attitude that anger is a good thing. The problem with venting bad emotions is that it reinforces a bad mindset. Anger can motivate change for the better, etc., but it’s still a blinding emotion — you’ll be better off if you can learn to stop it from rising.

]]> By: JoSelle http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/comment-page-1/#comment-5293 JoSelle Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:15:38 +0000 http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/#comment-5293 ABW: Thanks for this. Sometimes people confuse anger and hatred, partly because we're raised to think that anger is a "bad" emotion. It's good for all of us, I think, to remind ourselves sometimes that the two aren't the same. By the way, your blog is wonderful to read, especially for someone like me who grew up in a predominantly white state and an even whiter suburb, and who had little education about race issues growing up by virtue of this. I have a lot that I need to learn. ABW: Thanks for this. Sometimes people confuse anger and hatred, partly because we’re raised to think that anger is a “bad” emotion. It’s good for all of us, I think, to remind ourselves sometimes that the two aren’t the same.

By the way, your blog is wonderful to read, especially for someone like me who grew up in a predominantly white state and an even whiter suburb, and who had little education about race issues growing up by virtue of this. I have a lot that I need to learn.

]]> By: Thank You, White People « The Angry Black Woman http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/comment-page-1/#comment-5285 Thank You, White People « The Angry Black Woman Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:11:24 +0000 http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/#comment-5285 [...] White people, before commenting on this thread, please see this illustrated guide. Also, please see this post. Thank [...] [...] White people, before commenting on this thread, please see this illustrated guide. Also, please see this post. Thank [...]

]]> By: Changeseeker http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/comment-page-1/#comment-5286 Changeseeker Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:14:41 +0000 http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/#comment-5286 It's interesting to note, I think, that people who equate anger with hatred are never talking about their OWN "righteous" wrath over...well...anything. They're typically talking about some POC who's had a bellyful of the attitudes and behaviors of people just like the one taking exception to the POC's anger. It's the old "I'm angry, you're hateful" kind of thing. I'm regularly told I "hate" White people, though my skin tone marks me as being "White." I don't hate anybody (though there's a few folks I genuine despair of). But I'm seriously pissed about the way things are in this country, including the rampant racism that's wrong, wrong, wrong. I make no apologies for that because I believe that it's dead on point to be angry about it and then to be vocal and even active with that anger. Thanks for posting this to make that plain. It’s interesting to note, I think, that people who equate anger with hatred are never talking about their OWN “righteous” wrath over…well…anything. They’re typically talking about some POC who’s had a bellyful of the attitudes and behaviors of people just like the one taking exception to the POC’s anger. It’s the old “I’m angry, you’re hateful” kind of thing. I’m regularly told I “hate” White people, though my skin tone marks me as being “White.” I don’t hate anybody (though there’s a few folks I genuine despair of). But I’m seriously pissed about the way things are in this country, including the rampant racism that’s wrong, wrong, wrong. I make no apologies for that because I believe that it’s dead on point to be angry about it and then to be vocal and even active with that anger. Thanks for posting this to make that plain.

]]> By: DCMovieGirl http://theangryblackwoman.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/comment-page-1/#comment-5287 DCMovieGirl Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:57:06 +0000 http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/tyntu8/#comment-5287 You know what I hate? Stupidity and "if then" analogies that make no fucking sense. That's the thought process that leads one to think physical traits = abhorrent actions and thoughts. You know what I hate?

Stupidity and “if then” analogies that make no fucking sense.

That’s the thought process that leads one to think physical traits = abhorrent actions and thoughts.

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