The screams and tears, the reality of brutal, barbaric and heartless crimes against law abiding and peaceful citizens confront our country. Anger! Anger! Rage! The Gift of Anger!
Our country. Our society must embrace anger and use our individual and collective anger.
Anger can be cathartic. Anger fuels justice.
Mahatma Gandhi according to his grandson Arun Gandhi believed in the positive force of anger . Arun in his book- the Gift of Anger -quoted his grand father as saying : " I have learned to use my anger for good. Anger to people is like gas to the automobile — it fuels you to move forward and get to a better place. Without it, we would not be motivated to rise to a challenge. It is an energy that compels us to define what is just and unjust."
Gandhi was suggesting that like any other combustible fuel anger is volatile -to use anger productively, we must first contain it, then channel it.
Trinidad and Tobago - is angry , afraid and traumatized.
We rage -infuriated, frustrated , hurt- we feel betrayed and hopeless.
How do we convert our anger?
How do we take rage that is unproductive and destructive and transform it to a powerful fuel and force that can correct problems and inspire creativity and innovation.
Anger can be unbearable. Anger can be inconsolable. Anger will destroy the bridge that makes us one people, one nation one country.
We are Team Trinidad and Tobago.
Anger destroys the faith and hope that each of us have a fair chance.
What will make our anger and rage go away?
And what will we do to find peace if nothing changes?
How can we harness our anger and rage and live according to our own sense of justice?
Communication! Lets make communication our first step.
Go to anyone who can make the situation fairer and explain why you are upset and angry.
Live your truth, passion and purpose instead of giving in.
Treat anger as fuel , using it as energy to live your truth.
Gandhi used his anger as fuel to free India from oppression. Nelson Mandela used his anger as fuel to bring down apartheid.
Anger over the course of history has been converted to fuel that provided energy for transformation.
Dare to change our country. Make a positive impact. Empower our communities. Empower each other.
We can break the cycle of crime and corruption.
Lets channel our anger and create the fuel and energy that will create a brighter future for Trinidad and Tobago. Together we can change our country. Be part of the solution not the destruction.
Lets engage in productive discussions of issues that affect our country and understand how we all connect.
Lets get past the prejudices , stereotypes and economic disparities . When we all pull together , we can take on any issue and overcome the challenges and obstacles.
Each of us should consider Emma Watson's challenge when she asked :" If not me , who? If not now, when?"
Lets use our anger, hurt, indignation and pain to spark positive change.