Decolonizing Rage
for collective wellbeing
To decolonize rage, we have to relate to rage differently.
As colonized people, we have been taught that rage is dangerous. We have seen rage be dangerous in our own lives. Black folks we respect have written books on the dangers of rage. Religious people we trust have taught us the danger of rage and the safety of calm and stillness.
But rage is only dangerous in a dangerous context.
In a world of oppression, where the stillness has become stagnation and the systems are built and run by abusers, we ache to burn it all to the ground.
In a world of toxic stillness, we ache for fire.
Fire, with her quick movement, her sharp power, and her fierce indiscrimination. If you get in her way, she will burn you. If you fail to respect her, you will learn to.
We all need a little more fire these days.
We are hungry for fire because fire embodies equality.
She does not care how rich you are; the rules apply to you, too. No matter how poor you are, she will warm you if you offer her the right fuel. The rules are the rules, no exceptions, no one above the law.
How satisfying.
To decolonize rage and increase equality, we must become fire in areas of our wellbeing where fire is lacking.
Maybe we have too much water - go with the flow.
Too much air - away from this present moment.
Too much earth - stillness and stability.