When I watched Monica Lewinsky’s recent TedTalk, I couldn’t help but note that she raised some valid points in her chosen topic, “public shaming.” Lewinsky’s name became a global sensation in the late 90s when the public discovered that she was having an affair with the President of the United States of America, at the time Bill Clinton.
The public immediately lashed out at both Lewinsky and Clinton, but unlike Clinton, her public shaming has continued indefinitely. The public was quick to forgive Clinton, even gleeful and very happy when he campaigned for the current President, Barack Obama. Clinton has also been allowed to move on to be a part of the Clinton Global Foundation, command high speaking fees and respect among global leaders.
Lewinsky, on the other hand, has been left to carry the cross of public shame, alone. And, even till today, over 10years later, a large part of society appear to have no interest in forgiving her any time soon.
Indeed I believe her speech on public shaming is persuasive and worth thinking about.
Watch the speech below.
“In 1998, says Monica Lewinsky, “I was Patient Zero of losing a personal reputation on a global scale almost instantaneously.” Today, the kind of online public shaming she went through has become a constant. In a brave talk, she takes a look at our “culture of humiliation,” in which online shame equals dollar signs — and demands a different way.”
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