By Roslyn Clark Artis
Guest Commentary
Shame. In our culture, shame is considered negative and is frequently portrayed as a harmful emotion to be banished from our vocabulary. I strongly disagree. I think shame is getting a bad rap! I would argue that shame is a vital component of our moral compass. It is a signal from our conscience that we’ve gone too far. Our current “anti-shame” culture, in its pursuit of positivity and self-acceptance, has created a lack of accountability and emboldens a reckless sense of entitlement. A quick scroll through social media validates this interpretation. There is precious little shame on the internet…. From the biblical story of Adam and Eve, shame has been a fundamental human experience. Their expulsion from Eden wasn’t simply a punishment; it was a profound acknowledgment of the consequences of their actions, a feeling of profound shame for their transgression. This shame, while painful, served as a crucial lesson in responsibility and the inherent need for ethical behavior.
Today, we are encouraged never to make anyone feel ashamed of their actions for fear that it might harm their selfesteem. The emphasis on self-esteem and positivity has, in some ways, contributed to a culture of unchecked self-centeredness. We are encouraged to love ourselves, overlook our flaws, and to brush aside any discomfort or acknowledgement of mistakes. This “anti-shame” culture has created a dangerous vacuum, a space where accountability is absent and reckless entitlement flourishes. Consider the implications of this perspective. If we dismiss the discomfort of shame, we risk losing the crucial feedback it provides. Shame is not about self-loathing; it’s about acknowledging the impact of our actions on others. It’s a signal that our behavior deviates from a shared moral code, a warning signal that we are harming ourselves or others, that we are veering off the path of ethical conduct. The lack of accountability fostered by this anti-shame culture can have devastating consequences, from interpersonal relationships to broader social implications. If we aren’t willing to confront our shortcomings, if we can’t acknowledge when we’ve made mistakes, then we become incapable of learning from them, of growing, of making amends. Without this vital feedback loop, we become disconnected from the repercussions of our actions, creating a system where harmful behaviors are normalized, and individuals feel entitled to behave in ways that ignore the feelings and wellbeing of others. It’s not about embracing crippling self-hatred; it’s about embracing a healthy relationship with our conscience. Shame, properly channeled, can be a powerful motivator for personal growth, encouraging us to examine our actions, understand their impact, and strive towards greater ethical behavior. It’s about finding the balance between self-acceptance and self-accountability, between embracing our imperfections and acknowledging when we have made a mistake.
In short, shame is not the enemy; it’s a crucial part of our moral development. It’s time to reclaim the value of this oftenmisunderstood emotion, and to recognize it as a signal from our conscience, and to harness its power to cultivate a more just, kind and ethical world.
Roslyn Clark Artis is the President of Benedict College.