#gotdepression? #gotanxiety? Express your anger.
So often, women are taught to “hush” from the time we are little girls.
We are bribed by “hush” from early on.
Later in life, we are given the “hush” signal, to keep quiet, about something that hurt us, by someone that disregarded us and lowered us to the equivalent of a product/object.
Some mamas told daughters, to “hush” when daddy is home. Later, that became “hush” when you’re abused (physically, mentally, emotionally) and, oh yeah, when you’re religiously or spiritually abused by religious leaders. In fact the guidance is not “hush” when it comes to that, it’s more like SHUT UP! And... if you talk, no one will believe you.
We are told to “hush” as little girls, when we’re super excited, or really 😠. Because, you’re being sassy or boisterous. That turns into “hush” when you’re on your job and you and everybody else knows, you’re busting your A, and consistently on top of your game, and because you’re a woman (and, don’t be a single woman), your pay check isn’t as fat as your male counterpart. Or maybe it is, but a lot of people don’t like it, and you’re not getting a lot of the swag that your brothers are getting.
We were trained early, anyone remember hearing or even singing this???
"Hush little baby, don't say a word,"
BY MOTHER GOOSE
Hush little baby, don't say a word,
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turns to brass,
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat won't pull,
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town!
”Contrary to the rhetoric of popular “self-help” and an entire lifetime of being told otherwise, our rage is one of the most important resources we have, our sharpest tool against both personal and political oppression.
We’ve been told for so long to bottle up our anger, letting it corrode our bodies and minds in ways we don’t even realize. Yet our anger is a vital instrument, our radar for injustice and a catalyst for change.
On the flip side, the societal and cultural belittlement of our anger is a cunning way of limiting and controlling our power.”
Soraya Chemaly
http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2018/09/12/rage-becomes-her-soraya-chemaly
Let your anger produce fruit, even if it first produces wrath. Say what you mean, mean what you say and work to not say it mean = belittling, threatening, bullying, or going off topic.