The Subtle Art of Being Pissed Off

from Impulse Magazine A/W 2021

Rise of the Falcon

The pandemic changed protesting. As timelines replaced picket lines, many predicted digitalised discontent would usurp concerted congregation. At COP26, I saw the truth…

Words by Thomas McCann

People are always able to find something that pisses them off. And one of the luxuries we have in our Western civilisation is the right to do something about it. Social change is often brought about by people picking up their signs, manning the picket line, and directing clever rhythmic chanting towards the powers that be. History has shown us that whether the target is the system, the government, royalty, the patriarchy, global conglomerates, or anyone who has gotten themselves on the wrong side of the masses, people are inherently unwilling to sit quietly and ignore the problems they see.

Like most aspects of life, this was interrupted by Covid. Those manning the picket line had to abandon their post. There were, of course, protests that continued through lockdown. murderer pressed on his neck. The idea was to highlight that the crimes that had been reported were of greater importance than anything on social media. Demonstrations such as these seemed to be ushering in the new age of protesting.

The internet provides us with many important things in the modern age, but it cannot replace the physical presence of a crowd that is telling it like it is. This is what I saw at COP26.

Despite the fact that the majority of large-scale protests were not due to begin for another few days, there were still a good few with their homemade banners and flags as I arrived in George Square on day one of the conference. The community spirit was high, and those gathering in Glasgow seemed excited by what was to come, as the helicopters of the rich, famous, and powerful flew overhead.

I decided to head up Buchanan Street. An older woman, dressed all in black and holding a wreath. Behind

Some, about the lockdowns themselves. While we were all spending our time indoors - getting dodgy haircuts and watching bread baking tutorials on YouTube - social unrest was going digital.

This had also been happening previously. Protests in Hong Kong about China’s growing political and societal involvement in the former British colony were largely orchestrated on social media. The movement also went online to brand themselves, to get the word out, and to show the world why they should be paying attention.

Black Lives Matter also saw people take to the internet as a means to tackle institutional racism. One major component of this digital demonstration was Blackout Tuesday, which took place on 2nd June. Social media users posted plain black images which filled everyone’s timelines. Some TV channels also stopped their programmes for nearly nine minutes, the same amount of time George Floyd´s

her, a procession with a coffin. A drummer played their instrument in time with the slow, lumbering march, while those behind the poll bearers held signs about the death of our planet. I had found the show I wanted. Of course, it would be off-brand for Extinction Rebellion if there was not a protest with a bit of drama, a touch of flair.

Regardless of whether or not you agree with the statement behind the protest, it can’t be denied that you will look up and pay attention if you are told about it if it´s something a bit different. The world leaders aren’t likely going to be told about a man outside with a sign, but they might be told about a ten-foot-tall figure called “Displaced Dora” (yeah, I saw that too).

The message behind it is a serious one. The climate crisis has forced people to leave their homes and move to unfamiliar places. The internet provides us with The climate crisis is indis- many important criminate, often impacting the things in the modern poorest countries age, but it cannot who pollute our planet the least. replace the physical Fundamentally though, facts are presence of a crowd boring, shows are that is telling it like interesting. Take The Red it is. Brigade for example. They arrived in Glasgow on 1st November, adorned in full-body crimson cloaks with floral headwear. Their faces were painted white, with black eyeliner and some with red lipstick. Not the usual crowd you would see at Central Station. They came all the way from the south of England and their arrival in Glasgow was the end of their eco-pilgrimage. In contrast, I had a conversation with an Extinction Rebellion backpacker. A typically jolly, if not slightly dishevelled, climate activist. This poor man had walked to Glasgow from Portsmouth, somehow still upbeat about just making it to the conference. Similar journeys, but it’s the showmanship that wins you airtime.

Outside the station, the street was manned by so many police officers that I think it was likely the best time for the people of Glasgow to go out and commit crimes. Surely, there was no one left in the city to stop them. There was a large gathering of people who had come to the summit from London, but were originally from Bangladesh. It appeared that the Scottish government inviting their prime minister as a welcomed guest had left a sour taste in their mouth, especially since Sheikh Hasina is a “fascist”, according to those I met. They were there to advocate for her removal as the prime minister of Bangladesh, and to call attention to the opening of new coal mines which are harmful to the environment, as well as the country’s tiger population. Despite the seriousness of the issue before them - the potential end of life as we know it and having to run around Glasgow like a headless chicken - I did not meet a single protester in bad spirits. Except for those funeral people of course, they were a bit of a downer. There is a reason why there is so much hope among these people, why the camaraderie is getting people through the journey they have had. We are talking about these issues, and that is half the battle for them. Whether it’s the climate crisis, racism, workers’ disputes, student marches, or anything else, people enjoy protesting. The issues and the facts may be enough to bring you down, but standing side by side with like-minded people, fighting for what you believe in, that heals people. Covid took that away when the good fight was fought from behind a screen, but the art of the protest has stood the test of time, and provided we keep getting pissed off, it’s an art form that will persevere.