Harnessing the Power of Anger for Change

lit reflections + restorative writing

A monthly community newsletter: The Altar Within—notes on life, magic, and liberation. (Exclusive offering for paid subscribers: learn more here)

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Audre Lorde once said, “Every woman has a well-stocked arsenal of anger, potentially useful against those oppressions, personal and institutional, which brought that anger into being.” These words cut through the dismissive rhetoric surrounding anger, especially when it comes from women or other marginalized voices. Society has long been conditioned to view anger as inherently destructive, labeling it as irrational, or dangerous. But Lorde reminds us that anger is not something to fear or suppress—it’s something to harness.

Anger holds a profound intelligence, one that speaks to what matters most to us. It is a compass pointing toward injustice, a signal that something needs to change. When we lean into this emotion with curiosity and care, it becomes a tool for clarity and action. Anger can help us articulate boundaries, call out harm, and stand firm against oppressive systems. In this way, anger is not the opposite of peace—it’s the fire that clears the way for it.

As I wrote in my own reflections, “Anger and rage are intelligent emotions that teach us how to alchemize their powerful energy into forces for transformation and change.” This alchemy begins when we stop apologizing for our anger and instead channel it with intention. Rather than letting it consume us or denying its existence, we can use it as fuel to create something better—both within ourselves and in the world around us.


The Psychology of Anger

Psychologically, anger is often misunderstood. It’s not inherently harmful—it’s an emotion like any other, signaling that something within or around us is out of alignment. According to psychologists, anger is a protective emotion, often masking deeper feelings of hurt, fear, or frustration. What distinguishes destructive anger from transformative anger is how we respond to it.

Unchecked anger can lead to impulsive actions and harm, but when approached with reflection and intention, it becomes a powerful motivator. Studies in behavioral psychology suggest that anger can increase perseverance and focus, particularly when paired with a clear goal. In essence, anger becomes the fuel that drives meaningful action when we take time to understand its source and purpose.

For many people, anger is a teacher. I remember leading my first protest as a 13-year-old against the Catholic Church’s exclusion of girls from serving as altar attendants. I felt the sting of being told I couldn’t serve simply because I was a girl. My anger wasn’t destructive—it was clarifying. It pushed me to organize, to speak up, and to demand change. That fire led to Saint Anthony allowing altar girls for the first time, with my best friend and me as the first two altar girls. Although I didn’t last long in the church (it did not align with my indigenous roots and spiritual practice), I still carved a path for others.

This moment taught me that anger, when paired with a sense of justice, has the power to dismantle long-held systems of oppression. It was my first lesson in how to use anger as a force for liberation—a lesson I carry with me today.

For women, especially women of color, anger is a revolutionary act. Too often, we’re taught to silence ourselves to avoid being labeled as “difficult” or “unhinged” This expectation serves to maintain oppressive systems by keeping us quiet and compliant. But what if we stopped apologizing for our anger? What if we treated it as a natural and necessary response to injustice?

Anger, when paired with reflection, becomes a tool for liberation. It teaches us to say, “No more.” It shows us what we cannot accept and demands that we fight for what we deserve. For women and marginalized communities, reclaiming anger is an act of self-respect and an affirmation of our right to be seen, heard, and valued.

Throughout history, anger has sparked some of the most significant movements for justice and liberation. Take, for example, the 1969 Stonewall Riots. After years of enduring police harassment and violence, members of New York City’s LGBTQ+ community reached a breaking point. Their collective anger ignited days of protests, ultimately leading to the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. This wasn’t anger without direction—it was anger with purpose, a refusal to accept injustice any longer.

Another example is the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Anger over systemic racism, segregation, and violence fueled sit-ins, marches, and speeches that demanded an end to oppression. Figures like Malcolm X and Fannie Lou Hamer turned their anger into a call to action, showing that anger, when focused, can be a powerful force for change.

The next time anger rises within you, consider this: What if your anger isn’t a flaw but a force for change? What if it’s the fire that clears the way for peace, justice, and liberation? Audre Lorde believed that anger could dismantle harmful systems and protect our joy. Let us honor that belief by transforming our own anger into a revolutionary force—one that not only changes the world but also heals it.

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Specific Actions to Channel Anger

Anger becomes transformative when we direct it with purpose. Here are actionable steps to channel your anger into meaningful change:

1. Reflect and Reframe

• Take a moment to sit with your anger. Ask yourself: What is this anger trying to tell me?
• Journal about the root of your anger. What systems, behaviors, or circumstances are fueling it?
• Reframe anger as a signal for necessary change rather than a flaw to fix.

2. Speak Up and Set Boundaries

• Use anger to articulate your boundaries. Practice saying “no” firmly and without guilt when needed.
• If someone dismisses your anger, calmly explain why the issue matters to you. Advocate for yourself with clarity and confidence.

3. Channel Anger Into Creative Expression

• Write about your anger in essays, poems, or stories that explore its depth and meaning.
• Create art, music, or movement that expresses what words cannot. Sometimes anger needs a physical outlet.

4. Join or Build a Movement

• Get involved in local organizations fighting for causes aligned with your anger. Whether it’s climate justice, racial equity, or reproductive rights, movements thrive on collective energy.
• Use your anger to mobilize others. Start conversations, organize actions, or build coalitions that channel shared anger into actionable goals.

5. Educate Yourself and Others

• Learn more about the systemic issues fueling your anger. Education helps channel emotions into informed action.
• Share resources, books, and articles with your community to spread awareness and inspire dialogue.

6. Take Direct Action

• Write letters or emails to local representatives about issues that make you angry.
• Support marginalized voices by amplifying their work, donating to their causes, or volunteering your time.

7. Protect Your Joy

• Use anger to protect the things that bring you peace and happiness. Set boundaries around your time, energy, and relationships.
• Advocate for joy as an act of resistance. Anger can be the force that clears the space for you to reclaim rest and delight.

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Restorative Writing Prompt:

Reflect on a moment when you felt anger. What was it telling you? How can you use that energy to create meaningful change in your life or community?

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Cited Works and Resources

1. Audre Lorde, “The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism”
• Found in: Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches (1984)
• Context: Audre Lorde’s essay, “The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism,” was originally delivered as a keynote presentation at the National Women’s Studies Association Conference in 1981. This seminal work is included in her collection Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches (1984). In this essay, Lorde explores how anger can be a powerful tool for confronting and addressing systemic racism and sexism.

For those interested in delving deeper into Lorde’s perspectives on anger and liberation, the following resources offer valuable insights:

1. “The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism” by Audre Lorde
This essay is available through BlackPast, providing the full text of Lorde’s influential speech.

2. “The Legacy of Audre Lorde” by The Paris Review
An article that examines Lorde’s enduring impact on literature and activism, highlighting her exploration of anger as a catalyst for change.

3. “Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches” by Audre Lorde
This collection includes “The Uses of Anger” and other pivotal essays. It is available for free download at the Internet Archive.

To purchase her book: Click HERE

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