The Virtue of Shame

One of the insidious goals of Political Correctness has been to remove the social stigma that’s associated with certain chosen behaviors.  The result is that the virtue of shame is disappearing from our culture.

Former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee

from the daily broadcast of The Huckabee Report:

What has happened to the simple virtue of shame?
Have we lost completely and forever the red-faced, head hanging, tear shedding sense of shame? When is the last time you heard a politician associated with words like humility, contriteness, brokenness, or modesty? There seems to be a sense in which we’ve blurred the lines between shame and fame. In fact, it’s as if we’ve equated—–even elevated—both characterizations as if they were character qualities.

In a culture that worships celebrity rather than substance, we shouldn’t be surprised that those who want to be the leaders of our political institutions are playing by the same rules as those who lead the entertainment industry or sports. Embarrassing and immoral behavior no longer disqualify one for what passes as “public service,” but rather validate one’s “humanity.” And, the abracadabra of saying “I’m sorry” wipes the slate clean with the added bonus of 100% name ID. Ego, narcissism, and raw ambition have replaced the notion of selfless servanthood. Elected offices now go to the most brazen, driven, and self-fueled megalomaniacs.

Today’s political figures are too often just that: figures (as in action figures); artificial miniatures of the real thing. Shame and the capacity to actually display it is not a bad thing; in fact, it, like humility is a good thing. It reveals that we in fact do know the difference between right and wrong, and are utterly disgusted with ourselves when we fail. When there is no shame, all that’s left is fame, and it’s a sorry substitute for character.

Related articles

• The Grace of Shame (reclaimingourchildren.typepad.com)