The epistemic value of anger/rage: From psychologized anger to politicized rage

Abstract

Feminist theory, particularly within the realms of black and decolonial feminisms, has given a central place to the political and epistemic value of the anger of oppressed groups. This one is recognized as the quintessential political emotion in the battle against injustice. In this work we make a theoterical journey through the feminist politics of emotions. Subsequently, we identify three mechanisms for controlling anger/rage: silencing, taming, and devaluation. We scrutinize how and under what contexts of power is controlled or legitimized. Following María Lugones’s (2021) concept of ‘metamorphosis’, we explore with a critical perspective the psychologization processes of feminist anger/rage. Our conclusion underscores the urgency of developing policies for the transformation of anger/rage guided by critical, collective and contextspecific knowledge. It is vital to avoid reducing anger to mental health concerns and, instead, rekindle the mobilization of indignation.