A Message to Black Men About Anger

A Message to Black Men About Anger…

By Tracy Charles Gibson

 

     **I could write a book about being angry about not getting what I want when I want it.  Just saying this sounds little-boyish to me now.  I wasn’t laughing when I was hospitalized for over a month for anger several years ago.  Some ideas: go for a walk; go work out; spend intimate time with yourself; (Don’t work out serious anger issues in the bedroom with another person); do some writing about what is bothering you; go swimming; scream out load a couple of times; look in the mirror and talk to yourself about How to change the situation; read a book about Black anger and Black life written by Black male writers like ``Make Me Wanna Holler’’, ``Let the Children Gather,’’ ``Man-Child in the Promised Land,’’ or ``The Fire Next Time.’’ Talk it out with the person (s) who is making you angry if possible, if you think you can do this in a calm and controlled manner; Talk it out with your Pastor, significant other, or a mentor;  read a magazine article about anger at the library;  watch an action movie and imagine yourself as one of the characters; go dancing with your lady friend, boyfriend, or significant other (if you can control your temper long enough to enjoy yourself);  go to work if you feel up to it and in control of yourself; do some art work or clay art work or make a colleague with old magazine pictures and other written materials you have around the house (think of your personal philosophy on life or your goals and make it into a vision board. Think of the things that are blocking you and How you can get past those blocks and make it visualized in the colleague. I personally find this very effective at helping me control my anger and impatience).

     **Not dealing with anger in a constructive manner can lead to mental instability. Internalizing anger can lead to high blood pressure, stress, and other problems.  **If you are having real and present problems with anger, please consult a therapist or psychiatrist. Anything you invest will be worth the cost.  

     **Things not to do when you are really angry: Don’t get behind the wheel of a car; don’t start eating your troubles away or drinking them away with liquor; Don’t have unrealistic expectations of people you are angry at; Don’t use confrontation unless your very sure you have yourself under control or have sought out a health care professional.