Rage! It is cool to be angry! And other things going on
It’s hot! And the world seems to be particularly engulfed in flames. And I’m angry!
I have been having a hard time sitting down and writing because a lot of my thoughts lately feel very: aha don’t be so enraged at the state of the world, ur so hot. AND I AM HOT BC THE WORLD IS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE.
I think rage and anger are incredibly useful tools. I know that I have—for a very long time—found it hard to express these feelings. For me, they historically have been associated with violence and toxic masculinity and ineffective emotional processing. But we need rage and anger. They are guides. And when they’re processed effectively, they can lead to beneficial change.
I was asked recently to see my anger as something that I loved, something that I appreciate because it has kept me alive. So I begrudgingly sat down and told my anger I loved it. Did it work? Not really. But I am seeing more space in these feelings, feelings that feel inescapable as new plagues, new crises, new rent hikes, and new acts of systemic violence rear their fucking heads. It is only useful to yell for so long. Then you either collapse or you do something about what you’re yelling about.
I am lucky enough to be working with two really cool projects: The Artists’ Grief Deck and the Turn It Around! movement. Both are toolkits that help process grief and crisis, and both have have elements that are completely created by young people and children. One thing that has been quelling some of my rage lately is seeing young people speaking up loudly and firmly. I am still angry, but I am learning a lot about how to move forward by listening to them.
Speaking of youth, someone recently told me they thought I was 26. So, I also have been trying to use the wisdom I possess as a young person to make some waves. I have a few projects coming up that I’d love you to take part in:
A. As part of CUNY’s Ivory Tower and the Other Worlds weekend of events, I’ll be performing on Thursday, August 11, at 7pm at The Brick. I proposed sharing everything I know both with words and not words, so maybe it will be kooky bananas. Tickets are sliding scale and can be purchased here
B. As part of ABC No Rio’s Summer School at PS 122, which I have been helping organize, I am offering a day of free creative consultations and meme making in something I am calling Meme and Scheme. On Saturday, August 13 from 12-4pm, I’ll be meeting with people 1 on 1 to discuss any creative administrative (development/fundraising, cover letter/resume writing, event planning/organizing, etc) or general art world venting, and then I’ll make them a meme and send them on their way. It’s free. Register for a slot here.
In the meantime, I will be channeling my rage into memes and gentle walks through parks and gardens where I will listen to birds yelling, wishing I could yell with them (maybe I will). I am not an expert or a doctor, but maybe take some time to yell today! Maybe tell your rage thank you and ask it to guide you towards something tangible. Also drink some god damn water. I think it is good that more of us are angry—let is guide us towards something better.
I just read someone share that they have no faith in the government and those in power, but absolute faith in our communities. I think community can be a loaded word, but I see the sharing of information, the offering of services, open sourcing of resources, mutual aid, mutual idea sharing, looping people in, sharing meals, sitting down, raging... together, all as valid and crucial ways forward. Do with that what you will.
Wishing you a monkey pox vaccine, safety, a place to cool off, a reliable source of income that doesn’t harm your soul, silly willies, permission to rest, and a place to direct your rage that leads you to something less angry.
xx
Shawn
OPPORTUNITIES, OPEN CALLS, THINGS TO SEE, THE TITLE OF THIS SECTION ALWAYS CHANGES:
ACT UP NYC MARCH AGAINST MONKEY POX AND GOVERNMENT FAILURE: Thurs., July 21, 6pm, Foley Square, NY, NY: See the list of demands via the Tweet I’ve linked to, as well as more info on the march
2023 Franconia Fellowship, due 08/01: The Franconia Fellowship supports mid-career artists working in sculpture and installation, including land art, ceramics, contemporary craft, experimental sound/music, and performance art.
If you’d like to support my writing, feel free to leave me a tip on Venmo or PayPal. I also welcome feedback and thoughts.