I remember watching the movie – The Power of One – which takes place in South Africa’s 1930 apartheid. Watching I felt my blood pressure rise as I watch how horrific humans can be towards fellow humans. The horrible things we are capable  of… I remember a scene where the tables are turned on one of the brutish guards. I has this very visceral response of ‘joyous righteousness’  of seeing the guard get his. This righteous anger and hate felt so good. I still remember that moment in the dark theater and how much it scared me. In that moment I knew I was not that different from the guard.  How does one engage with such cruelty without relying on the tools of cruelty like anger, hate and self (ego) righteousness?

Today when I see pictures of Putin gaslighting his people, creating so much needless pain on the world. I feel myself back in the theater desiring righteous vengeance.  All these years and that part of me continues to exist.

Anita. I don’t think a separate thread is necessary. I suspect many of us feel beaten up by what the continuous blows of crises. Its enough to know we arn’t alone.