wielding the sword of anger

I would like to share some words on how to wield the sword of anger for the cause of justice.

This post was orginally written May 30th, 2020.

I am not qualified to talk on this matter as I have neither been a victim of injustice nor do I have a lot of experience with anger. But I do get angry and I have tried to understand spiritual teachings on anger.

This is my reflection on recent events in response to the murder of George Floyd, a black man, by police officers in Minneapolis. I am not equipped with the skills of how to treat this subject with the respect and sensitivity that it deserves so I apologize for my poor use of language on this matter. Please forgive me.

I am angry. As I am sure most everyone that has seen the video or photos of the policeman that casually strangled George Floyd with his knee for 9 minutes. Our response is one of anger not just because of this one horrific incident, but because despite the struggle and heroic fight for the fair, decent, and equal treatment of blacks in America it is clear that the systemic structures that lead to such incidents are still ignored and even supported by too many.

Anger is a sharp and powerful sword. It can cut down enemies with ease. This is why we must take care to wield it with the the precision of wisdom. If we do not, we may do more harm than good.

In times of grave and blatant injustice we do not have to reject our anger nor allow it to corrupt us. The spiritual sages have taught that anger can be used with wisdom and with Love. But it is not easy to wield the sword of anger with wisdom and Love. It is easier to give way to hatred, violence, and destruction.

One of the voices of Atlanta, Killer Mike, counseled the people of Atlanta:

It is your duty not to burn your own house down for anger with the enemy. It is your duty to fortify our own house so that you may be a house of refuge in times of organization. And now is the time to plot, plan, strategize, organize, and mobilize.

Killer Mike

Decisive actions are needed in such times. We can pressure those in power to take action. We can protest. We can demand justice. But we must do so with Love not hate.

The spiritual sages have taught that Love does not always have to be gentle and soft. There are times when it is appropriate for what the sages call a wrathful Love.

We must not confuse a wrathful Love with hatred, with unskilled anger. We must not lie to ourselves that our unskilled anger and destruction is in the name of Love.

We must not allow our anger to be unskillful. We must not allow our anger to burn down our own house with hatred and destruction.

Walking the path of wrathful Love takes wisdom and a clear mind. We must head the council of the spiritual sages and everyday people that carry Love in their hearts.