To the Editor:
Society’s current anger is a cancer on our democracy and progress in our country. Stephen Webster’s book, “American Rage,” describes anger as the central emotion governing U.S. politics, lowering trust in government, weakening democratic values while forging partisan loyalty.
“The Age Of Rage,” published in the May 11, 2019, issue of The Guardian, states that we have built a world that is extremely good at generating causes for anger but extremely bad at offering constructive solutions. A Gallop poll found 22% of respondents around the world felt angry, a record.
“Americans Are Living In A Big Anger Incubator” reads a Washington Post headline on June 29, 2020. It confirms that systematic forces threaten our well-being, led by automation, globalization, climate change, immigration, racism, a pandemic, and conspiracies while using social and news media as a catalyst.
Duke University School of Medicine Professor Damon Tweedy believes anger is inevitable and becomes a sustaining problem without the use of off-setting, coping tools.
Here are some anger management suggestions to counteract one’s anger, thus contributing to a kinder, gentler world , by Psychology Today:
• Look at things from a third person perspective.
• Refuse to react to aggressive acts.
• Understand where anger is coming from.
• Listen, take the other person’s point of view.
• Count to 10, take deep breaths.
Above all, particularly in the Lowcountry, smile and forgive, for life is too short!
Earle Everett
Moss Creek
