How do you handle the anger you feel inside about the injustices in the world?

Question

Issues like The Bush administration and the war in Iraq, how badly hurricane Katrina was handled, exploitation of the poor, genocide, lack of value for human life in third world countries, corrupted leaders, etc.

How do you deal with issues that make you angry and frustrated?

I also want to add discrimination to my list of issues

Answer 1

I have been there. And so have my kids. It is a frustrating and engaging experience that gives everyone a lot of hope.

The War in Iraq, the unequal distribution of wealth in this country, lack of value for human life EVERYWHERE, even in the U.S. and corruption in the political process everywhere certainly is the impetus for young people, like you to know where to start.

Don't throw up your hands in despair. That would be really depressing. Now is the time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

When I was 18, many years ago, I didn't like it that black people couldn't go to a restaurant and have a cup of coffee like white people did. I rolled up my sleeves and I started the first coeducational dormitory in my state college where black ladies and white ladies were actually roommates.

My parents thought it was great. My parent's neighbors thought I was a crazy liberal chick who caught a dreadful disease from hanging out with black people. Today, the notion that black people have to live in separate neighborhoods or eat at separate restaurants is dreadful. But back then, it was the way things were. I made a difference by just changing my college dormitory.

In 1980 I was working in a state legislature. I had small children and a job in legislature. A group of young people came in with signs saying, "End Apartheid in South Africa" and their demonstration outside was spilling inside the state capitol. I had to throw the kids out of the building because their signs couldn't be inside the building. Later, at lunch, I ran into one of them. She said, "I know you hate me, but I have to eat lunch." I told her, "I don't hate you, but I have to do my job. If I didn't have to pay for my daughter's orthodontia, pay my house payment and get my timing chain on my car fixed, I would be out there with the same signs you are carrying. But I need to do my job so that I can raise my kids to carry on in your place in another 20 years."

In 1996 my daughter got an assignment in her World Politics class to explain the controversy in East Timor. She sat down to examine the political and economic issues surrounding the government oppression of the East Timor people and she became furious at the exploitation of the East Timor peasants at the hands of robber baron coffee magnates and the corruption in the Indonesian government.

In 1998, when the World Trade Organization met in Seattle, she was one of the demonstrators. Later she became an environmental activist.

I couldn't help but remember that lady who brought the anti-apartheid poster into the capitol.

Somewhere between where I helped to integrate a dorm room and where my daughter sat in a tree to stop a forest from being cut down, there was a lady that I only met once, who was holding down the fort and standing up to some issue that really ignited her passions.

Roll up your sleeves. Take a stand and fight for it. Go into politics. The old geezers who are there are corrupt because they have been there so long that it is an inside job to them.

Change the rules. There has got to be a better way and by your challenging the old geezers who have been there too long, you are making a difference that comes with some solutions.

Answer 2

It's all a matter of getting some perspective. Yes, there are injustices in the world today. However, in the modern United States, there are still probably fewer injustices than there have been in most nations throughout history. Before you focus on the evil, look at how much worse things have been in history. Once you realize that the world has never been a perfect place, and you realize that things are now better than they've ever been, you can become a bit more optimistic.

If all you're feeling is anger, you've lost perspective, and you've probably become ineffective in trying to improve things.

Secondly, you need to stop trying to blame someone for everything. Sure, Katrina was handled badly, but you must realize that it isn't an event that people have control over. It would be great if things had been done better, but it's not ultimately up to some official in Washington to make everything work perfectly. No one can do that. People like you who care should be making an effort, even today, to make things better. Have you been to New Orleans to help construct homes with Habitat for Humanity since the storm? If not, I'd say you need to stop throwing stones at others, and focus on what YOU yourself can do.

Finally, remember that you can't solve all the world's problems yourself. There will always be injustice. There will always be evil people in the world, although we may not always know which ones are truly evil. Your mission (should you decide to accept it) is to do your part to make the world a better place. You can do a part, but you can't do it all. At some point, you just need to have faith that others will take on similar roles.

The best way to help is to first understand. It sounds to me like you're just bulking everything together without any real understanding of the issues. You need to focus your attention on one thing, gather a real understanding about how the economics and the politics of the situation works, and then work to improve it. There's nothing more harmful to the plight of the poor, for example, than someone who tries to help without first understanding the problem.

Answer 3

Two issues are at hand. First is the issue of focusing on only one side of the coin which is the negative. Understand the balance by seeing the some of the larger instances of human kindness, generosity and honesty. Also, the things that you mention are more macro and global issues. That does not mean that tragedies are not real but must be put into context of your everday life which I'm willing to guess "isn't that bad". Secondly, the tragedy is not in the feeling angry or disturbed by "the injustices in the world", but in the leaving the issues at that. If you consider human suffering real problems, you handle the anger by getting your hands dirty to alleviate the suffering of others. Being a human and a citizens does demand these sacrifieces.

Answer 4

This is a very difficult question to answer.

If you allow the negative energy of anger to build inside you, you will destroy your health. Some people get so angry they either decide to leave the scene by killing themselves, or they lash out by killing or hurting others.

Evil is a part of life, I'm afraid. You just have to accept that fact (with deep regret). The best you can do in most cases, is to try to live so you help rather than hurt others, try to be kind, try to be honest, try to be just in your own personal dealings. You cannot change the world as a whole. You can try to make your own little corner of the world at least no worse, if not better. You also need to feel good some times about the good things that happen in life--a kind word, a smile, a thank you, a beautiful flower, refreshing rain, a good night's sleep, a hug.

Answer 5

The best way to handle any anger is to find out why it makes you angry. Is it that you feel people are very inconsiderate? or is it because you are not able to help and participate? The people are always driven by the goals they want to achieve. And power is the most corrupting achievement which people want to gain. But thats Human tendency. Come to terms with it. Find out your Power. If your Power is to Fight these Corrupt People. Start Today, by whatsoever means you can. As suggested in one of the answers emails is not a bad idea. The Governments world over have enacted the Information to Citizens Laws, under which you can ask for any information from any Government Agency. Ask it and use it to fight the bad trends ( not to just hassle up the Government Machinery). You will feel nice, because you are now doing your bit to solve the problem. And what we need is few more , and few more doing their bit and a big movement will evolve. My best wishes.

Answer 6

Well, the way I've handled injustices before was not the best way. I know that these things and others on a smaller level upset me some. I am trying to learn/willing to learn how to deal w/ issues like these including my own. I guess the first step is to recognize it or at least have someone point it out to you. Everyone has their own way of dealing w/ things that make us angry/frustrated. Maybe, there is a reason that I'm here on Yahoo Q & A's.
(Liza, Thanks for accepting apology) I feel somewhat better :)

Answer 7

What a very good question, and it's one that we all deal with on a daily basis. We read and see and experience injustices in our world every single day, and most of the time, there is absolutely nothing we can do to correct the situation. That causes us alot of frustration and anger. How I deal with it is to just for a little while, close myself off from what's going on in the world. We are fortunate that we can do that. I call it going into my "bubble". I watch a comedy, do a hobby, listen to music I like, things like that. The world, with all it's injustices, will be there later on to listen to and tackle. Seething and going crazy doesn't do much to fix things, ya know?

Answer 8

I work on smaller issues that I can do something about, we can't fix everything, anger and frustration are negative energies that can wear you out. Look around you and see if there is some way you can help a neighbor, volunteer to teach reading, clean up a vacant lot. Every little bit helps.

Answer 9

Vent your issues in an email or letter to your senator and local representative. Then walk away from it until you feel it's time to write them again.

Answer 10

Just know and thank the heavens that this is his last term in office as president.