Joseph Welch once asked Joe McCarthy…
SIR, have you no decency?
I say we should have shame (in small doses).
Remember the things Robert Fulghum
reminded us that we learned in Kindergarten;
Share
Play fair
Don’t hit
Clean up
Put things back
Do not take things that are not yours
Say sorry
Wash your hands
Flush
Work, learn, drink, draw, paint, nap, sing,
dance, & play SOME!
These activities are taught to help us grow
into courteous citizens able to participate
in civil society.
Who would willingly encourage their
children to…
Hit
Take other people’s things
Keep everything for yourself
Don’t wash
Work, learn, drink, draw, paint, sleep, sing,
dance, & play TOO MUCH!
The reason is that when your children do
the above, your baby becomes the kid with
whom no one plays.
Shame provides that inner experience of
not feeling wanted.
We need some shame.
It encourages us to consider apologizing,
take responsibility, confess, and
change our behavior.
Kevin in Home Alone realizes even when
you are blessed with the run of the house,
ultimately it is no fun being home alone.
Once we get past a certain age, no one
should have to explain to us that it is
wrong to …
Demean those that are weaker than you
Insult people
Bully people
Lie
Cheat people
Take advantage of those without privilege
Cry about petty slights
React and not respond
And if someone does have to explain these
things to us, we should feel somewhat
ashamed and attempt to change our behavior.
And if we recognize and call out bad behavior
because it is disqualifying, we should continue
with that stand.
We can not just overlook disqualifying behavior
in search of a high-status job!!!
I ask all of us that sanction and normalize the
disqualified and those of us that have earned
disqualification, have we no shame?
We all need some shame.
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