This archive report was first published on 28 September 2019.
September 28, 2019, marked a turning point for many women, including the author, who have been raised to hide their vulnerabilities and mistakes.
As a 15-year-old, the author experienced a painful lesson from her mother, who mistakenly believed she was out with a boy. The mother's words, 'Why are you trying to bring us shame?' still resonate today.
Shame has become a pervasive issue, with women often feeling the need to hide their imperfections. Social media has become a platform where people can feign perfection, but it also amplifies shame, making it a tool for public humiliation.
Monica Lewinsky's experience in 2015, when she spoke about being publicly shamed almost to death, highlights the devastating consequences of shame.
The author's personal experience of hiding her pregnancy at 19 and inflicting pain on herself before anyone else could is a testament to the destructive power of shame.
Research has shown that humiliation is an emotion felt more strongly than anger or sadness, and women have been humiliated to death.
The recent case of a young mother who was bullied on a Facebook group and later took her own life serves as a reminder of the importance of being wary of amplifying another person's shame.
Before sharing a meme or publicizing someone's shame, it's essential to consider the consequences and ask if the suffering inflicted is worth the fleeting moment of amusement.
