‘Tis the season to be jolly…
And I have no doubt wherever you live in the world, no matter what your own personal beliefs, there are people, you know, who are “getting into the spirit” of it – as they say…
And part of that spirit is helping others in need. Our mailboxes – snail and e – are crammed with solicitations to help those less fortunate and those solicitations all use the same basic formula – big “hero” picture of starving children; hungry adults; tragedy and text guaranteed to bring tears.
But…
‘Tis the season to be jolly…
We give money; we go to shelters and volunteer; we wrap gifts and donate them – we honestly shed those tears and in that moment of catharsis we feel good – really good – we fulfilled the seasonal need.
Let’s be clear – I do this too. And I get the same good feeling.
But here’s the thing – what do we do to alleviate the need?
What do we do to eradicate the cause?
What do we do to ensure that people don’t go hungry; don’t get killed; don’t die needlessly…you get the picture…
Listen:
“Usually when people are sad, they don’t do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.” Malcolm X
Same for all of us too – no?
When we cry over another’s condition we act – but we act for ourselves as much as for them. Don’t get me wrong – it’s noble – it is – but are we doing enough?
My sense is no.
It’s time to get angry – angry that children still die of hunger; angry that people are killed because they are different; angry that injustice is overlooked for politics; angry that in our world of 24/7 connectivity and promise there is injustice at all.
So in this season of good cheer – let a little anger creep in – directed anger – channeled anger – anger for change… not for anger’s sake – but for making a positive difference in the world. And when the seasonal joy fades to a pleasant memory – let the anger remain….
‘Tis the season to be jolly…and a little angry.
What do you think?
While we all, individually, can do more, I think the ad industry can try for something greater as well. I recently wrote this post: Can an Ad Agency win a Nobel Prize? http://www.rickliebling.com/2011/11/18/ad-agency-nobel-prize/
Either way, it’s about sustained action, not just dropping $10 in an envelope.
Its interesting to look at the definition of Goodwill “goodwill |ˌgo͝odˈwil|(also good will )
noun
1 friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude: the plan is dependent on goodwill between the two sides | [ as modifier ] : a goodwill gesture.
2 the established reputation of a business regarded as a quantifiable asset, e.g., as represented by the excess of the price paid at a takeover for a company over its fair market value.”
“all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” as famously said by Edmund Burke comes to mind, we should all do more.
It’s true, we could probably all do more to help alleviate suffering and bring about change in the world – I know I could. But I have really mixed feelings about the anger part of it. I’m not sure that anger really helps anything. When we are angry, don’t we just add to anger in the world? A passion for change, for justice – does that require anger? I”m not sure. Something just feels off about it to me.
I love Rick’s thoughts about Agencies taking on a greater roll in terms of contributing to a more peaceful, more equitable world – and working on a grand scale with different agencies carrying the baton!
David, it is with these kind of thoughts I decided to join the advertising fraternity.
We are change agents. What we create becomes the news for the whole world to talk about and I believe, it is definitely well within our power to stand up for a cause and make a gargantuan difference. So, when do we start resisting the usual norm?
Tis indeed the season to be jolly…and a little angry.
Anger at injustice has the potential of doing a lot of good and the advertising fratenity with its creative capacities can play an immense role in helping bring about change in attitudes. Thanks for focusing on this in the holiday season, David.
Resist The Usual — directed anger – channeled anger – anger for change… not for anger’s sake – but for making a positive difference in the world
I think that passion about realizing a better future state is more positive motivation than anger at a current state. Becoming upset about what you see around may be the catalyst, but you can only stay angry for so long without become disenfranchised from the world around you. In any campaign, playing on anger or shock may be the kindling and the match, but passion will sustain you.