Mass Media and Rage

Mabel Encinas-Sanchez
photo credit @ Sharon Pittaway

This poem explores two ideas of rage: rages as a destructive force amplified by the mass media, and rage as an emotion that cannot be separated from thinking and from our being in a social world. With rage, there is understanding, and action to change the world.

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Mass media are supposed to refer to a middle layer
that neutrally passes messages from the powerful to the crowds

But mass media take a stance, amplify, reiterate their view
tell us what to believe
claiming that what they say is real

Mass media convey supremacists’ messages
that encourage rage and hate
justifying destruction and war

Paradoxically, I also feel rage.
But rage and thinking are part of a unity
body and mind, I and we

We humans choose what to do

With rage, abuses and inequalities become crystal clear
With rage, we distinguish natural disasters from genocides

With rage, we do together
fight for dignity, defend rights, seek justice, 
building power with and power within

With rage, we take action to change the world

With rage, we care

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