In many ways, 2010 was a year of the ugly, unproductive discussion. Fiery Tea Partiers repeatedly (and wrongly) called the president a Marxist, Glenn Beck blubbered uncontrollably on a weekly basis on Fox News, and, most recently, a Democratic member of Congress was overheard saying to his colleagues, "Fuck the president."
We here at GOOD like to get behind civil discourse in its many varied forms, especially after a year such as this. That's why, for 2011, we're recommending the Chinese hate poem to get any bile across.
For an example of what we mean, click through this photo gallery, which contains two poems from the University of Arizona's historical documents library. Originally sent to José María Arana, a prominent businessman who fought to expel Chinese immigrants from the Mexican state of Sonora in the 1920s, the poems utilize one of China's many ancient cultural traditions—elegant verse—in order to scold Arana for his bigotry, and in his own language, no less.
According to Don Price, professor of Chinese history at the University of California, Davis, expressing contempt via poetry is as rooted in the Chinese culture as poetry itself. "There was a tradition of folk poetry—of a kind to be chanted while clacking Chinese castanets—that could be pretty derisive," he says, "But, as far as I know, it wasn't sent to the target of the abuse, but recited in the market or teashops. Even so, to resort to doggerel as a kind of weapon does have a background in the folk culture."
Simultaneously beautiful and brutal, the hate poems sent to Arana—despite being more direct than a chant in a village market—are exactly the opposite of what passed for debate in 2010, a year when the Tea Party leader Mark Williams said that the NAACP belongs on "the trash heap of history." In 2011, when life gets you down, try drafting your own hate poem before lashing out in another form. Whether or not you send it is up to you, but it will at least allow you to express your rage while concurrently creating something sublime.
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
Friends recording on a camcorder.Image via Canva - Photo by capturenow
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.