The power of women's anger | Soraya Chemaly

Anger is a powerful emotion -- it warns us of threat, insult, indignity and harm. But across the world, girls and women are taught that their anger is better left unvoiced, says author Soraya Chemaly. Why is that, and what might we lose in this silence? In a provocative, thoughtful talk, Chemaly explores the dangerous lie that anger isn't feminine, showing how women's rage is justified, healthy and a potential catalyst for change.

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[karintate]

Looks like a lot of the commentators here are confusing drama with true anger, which, as the speaker points out, is an emotion that warns us of an indignity or injustice. Drama isn't to be confused with real anger. Dramatic anger is used to control, frighten, or stifle another person. I think the speaker does a good job of keeping it straight. She's addressing societal norms that teach girls to suppress their own true voice. And for those guys feeling hard done by because this isn't about men, relax. She acknowledges that boys are hurt by social expectations too, only in a different way. It is ok for us to talk about women's needs. It does not negate male needs.

[faibamohamed]

Finally someone to represent female is so eloquent and want to be like her one day....so inspiring

[Beemo]

this is basically why, when u ask ur girlfriend if she's angry or something's wrong she just keeps silent about it until she cant keep it inside anymore

[jamieh]

To all the people misundertanding in the comments shes not saying "male anger bad, femail anger good" she's saying "emotionally intelgent, productive, anger is good for both men and women and should be respected as such"

[starcherry]

I get exactly what she is saying.
The shame is always the worst feeling afterwards. Being labeled a crazy bitch, ghetto, ratchet, you name it.
I lashed out at a group of guys that sexually harassed me everyday on my way home, I had just had enough up until then.
But they just didn't take me seriously and made fun of me, which only made me angrier but also ashamed of myself for the way I reacted.

[katherenewedic]

It's sad that so many women have to be driven over the edge and to "Express anger inappropriately" I guess it's better to harm yourself cosmetically then to be a real woman with real rage at how society marginalizes us we could because we don't fit the ideal mode and once we're done using our good intentions natural politeness and enthusiasm to help

[KarmaCifer]

I wasn't able to show anger before, so I always turned my anger into crying and sadness. Learning with my psychologist to express anger is the best relief and my life is brighter. With that I also learned to keep my opinion and don't let others "walk over me". (My problem was with not wanting to hurt others or cause any damage to anything at all)

[icameinlikeawreckingball]

Well, I live in the Middle East and when i was 16 yrs old my mom decided to take to a psychologist because i would get angry and mad on the simplest things.. when i went there he told that a girl being angry mean that she’s not respectful and if there was a man in my house he would punish me and maybe slap me because i was misbehaving and good girls should never get angry or raise their voices .. i was shocked ... sorry for my bad english though.

[tarotfortheheathens]

Not all anger is created equal. Sometimes anger is expressed inappropriately, but sometimes it creates the deepest clarity in those of us who are self-aware.

[ImSimplyAHuman]

“When THAT happens, women will be able to smile....

When they WANT TO.” 💯💯💯💯

[eugenerhee]

Wow there are so many cases why the speaker did this speech right here. I can see many replies don't even get the point of this talk.

[craigkeller]

Until men learn to truly listen to women, their world will never be whole.

[princesspat]

This is one of the best things I've ever heard in my life and its sickening to hear how true it is that even today women (including me) feel that way..

[hauntedasylum]

Anger confuses people in power. They see it as their judgment, which it should be -- "Yes... I'm pist off and I've every right to be. But you know it was long over due"
It's okay to be anger when used at the right time. Make noise when you have to so people don't just keep walking all over you for money and greed. And even if they do after you made noise, someone will have heard your voice and others thereafter, and hopefully the madness will end. How did empires fall? People protested. They made noise, and from that noise came action. Physics. Let the haunted asylum be heard.

[JasmineDhillon]

honestly an amazing take on feminine rage. ty soraya we appreciate u 💖

[ckqueen]

This is about saving this world. Period.

[dianewiegel]

I got told to hold my passion and anger when I was young.

[sunnylove]

We need the subtitles in Spanish for all to know this brilliant speach.

[lz]

Thank You Soraya Chemaly. Your words are profound & still utterly necessary in this world.

Now if only we could teach more people to actually Listen to the Wisdom. Every little bit makes a difference. I may not change the world. But I can change the world for some. They in turn can pass it on.

[dRoy]

Man gets angry: Oh my God, look it's toxic masculinity!

Woman gets angry: You go girl, express that righteous fury!