Jews Talk Racial Justice - Ep 78: Feeling Rage, Finding Joy: Managing Emotions in Justice Work
Tune into this episode and read the full shownotes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
QUICK EPISODE OVERVIEW
With all that’s going on in the world right now (and since we’re in the middle of two (2!) months of Adar, we thought it would be good to reprise Episode 10 from the conclusion of election season. Tracie asks April for advice on working through the negative emotions that sometimes accompany justice work. They unpack the ways we've been taught to associate anger or rage with justice work (and anxiety with intelligence), and April shares suggestions for achieving the positive effects of BOTH feeling your feelings AND cultivating joy and presence.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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Click here to access the audio version and transcript on Buzzsprout.
April shares some of the healing modalities that she has cultivated. What healing modalities have you developed to get you to the other side of tough emotions and to move you towards what you want in the world?
We learn from April that anger and other “negative” emotions can help us clarify what we want. How might tough emotions and experiences pave a path forward towards your goals and a better world? Can you think of an instance when you’ve had this mindset?
In April’s practice, her anger is always honored and sacred. How do you honor your anger and hold it sacred? What do you do or tell yourself in these moments?
When do you find it easier to cultivate joy or relaxation while experiencing tense emotions? When do you find it more difficult?
April and Tracie bring up relaxation, curiosity, wonder, comfort, release, and relief among positive emotions like joy. Which ones resonate most with you and in which situations? Why?
Tracie pointed out that the phrase “It shouldn’t have happened” is not useful in tough moments. How does the language you use to shape how you navigate tough realities? How might it better shape the direction you’re going in?
INSIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE
“To me, anger is an emotion that’s an incredibly important sign to let me know when boundaries have been violated or there’s a unaddressed need for me to address.”
“I wanna be fanning the flames around fires that keep people warm and feed people who are hungry, and bring things we want into the world.”
“What I need to do is begin to invest. If it’s something that’s important and upsetting enough, then that’s something I want to go in on with other folks. Who’s already organizing in this? How can I amplify their message? How can I donate to them? How can I put energy toward what I want in the world and place my focus on that?”
“Anger is a messenger. My emotions are guideposts for me that give me a sense of things that my brain can’t comprehend or comprehends too quickly for me to be able to process it. But when an emotion is lingering, that is helpful for me - and I leverage that.”
COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
Let us know in the comments below!