Anger becomes limiting, restricting. You can't see through it.

Yes — that quote is correctly attributed to Thylias Moss (born 1954), the American poet, essayist, and experimental writer known for her works exploring identity, emotion, race, and human perception.

“Anger becomes limiting, restricting. You can't see through it. While anger is there, look at that, too. But after a while, you have to look at something else.”
— Thylias Moss

Context and Background

Thylias Moss shared this reflection in interviews and essays discussing the role of emotion in art and self-awareness. Her writing — often merging poetry with philosophy and autobiography — explores how emotions like anger can fuel creativity but also obscure clarity when left unchecked.

This quote expresses her mature understanding of emotional transformation: anger can be a valid and necessary part of experience, but one must eventually move beyond it to regain perspective and growth.

Interpretation

• “Anger becomes limiting, restricting.” — anger narrows perception and can trap the mind in reaction rather than reflection.

• “While anger is there, look at that, too.” — she advocates self-awareness, encouraging us to observe and understand anger rather than suppress it.

• “After a while, you have to look at something else.” — healing and insight come from eventually shifting attention toward understanding, compassion, or creativity.

Summary

Thylias Moss’s quote captures a profound emotional truth: anger can illuminate injustice, but it must not become a permanent lens. To see clearly — in life or in art — one must acknowledge anger, learn from it, and then move forward into broader vision and understanding. It’s a deeply reflective statement on the balance between passion and peace.