Fresh off No Kings Day keynote, Balint joins RAD’s Federal Action Call.
U.S. Representative Becca Balint is often asked how she doesn’t become consumed by anger by “going toe-to-toe with MAGA Republicans day in and day out,” she told a group of volunteers gathered for RAD’s monthly Federal Action Call Wednesday night.
Balint’s message? Channel anger into action. And hug people more.
“The energy of anger can be a motivator,” said Balint, who is known for her impassioned speeches. “It can ignite a fire for justice.”
But when anger is sustained and unfocused, when it simmers inside us unyieldingly, “it zaps us and drains our emotional reserves so we can’t do the important work we want to do,” she cautioned. “Anger…ultimately hurts us and our mission for social change.”
Balint was fresh off a mini-tour of No Kings Day events in Vermont, including a keynote address at Burlington’s Waterfront Park, where several thousand gathered. RAD hosted a booth at the rally, where staff and volunteers served herbal tea from Railroad Apothecary, cookies from Dobra Tea, and cake by Mirabelle’s Bakery, all graciously donated.
Finding Connection, Fueling Passion
“The other side of anger is passion,” Balint said. Passion encompasses pride, excitement, joy, and connection. “We shift from unadulterated anger toward passion as we focus on how we can experience that feeling of actually making positive change,” she said.
“When we can shift our thoughts and feelings into passion and away from simmering anger, we can ask ourselves questions like: What am I motivated to build? When do I feel the most energized, and when I feel that way, how can I channel this feeling into action? And who do I do that with?”
As human beings, “we are hardwired for connection,” Balint added. “We find meaning and purpose and drive through our connections with others. It’s good for our emotional health and our physical health, and frankly, it’s good for social movements, because when we see our connection to others, we are able to bring more people into the movement.”
Balint challenged the group of RAD staff and volunteers to channel their fury into action, harnessing the energy of anger to motivate their own engagement and encourage those around them to get involved through their own example.
“I have not lost hope,” she said. “We have everything we need in order to meet this situation,” she said. “We have to continue to call more people into [our coalition] because we have to build deeper connections across the country.”
Hate Less, Hug More
Her advice for not becoming consumed by hate comes from her own personal approach: “I surround myself with positive people. I seek out joy and connection. And I hug a lot.”
In fact, she confessed, with a nod to New York Representative Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez: “AOC said I’m the best hugger.”
Join Rad’s Next Call
Find connection and fuel your passion at the next Federal Action Call on Thursday, July 24. Stay tuned for special guest announcement. Sign up now!
