Janice Galloway in her own inimitable style. And yes, even as a man, I recognise her words at the start of the piece: My upbringing stressed the importance of 1) reining oneself in; 2) the pressing obligation to develop self-doubt and openness to shame; and 3) a sidelong appreciation of human absurdity. Refrains as reinforcement were common, the top three being 1) Who do you think you are? Princess Bloody Margaret? 2) I suppose you think you’re special? (with or without the optional ending “you with your nose in a book?”) and 3) Who asked your opinion? You’re not entitled to an opinion: you’re entitled to shut up. ...and her conclusion at the end: However, change can be driven either by aspiration or by fear. Shame stifles our aspirations and stokes our fears. Shame blocks and hinders our ability to take risks and to exercise compassion. Shame whispers to us of self-hatred for our mistakes and imperfections, and steals away our self-belief in our own inherent capacity for goodness and learning and growth. Whatever constitutional arrangement results from the referendum on 18th September, the people of Scotland – women, men, girls and boys – all may benefit from the conversations opening up around the issues of voice, relationship, self-determination and personal dignity. We may all benefit by looking our individual and collective shame in the eye and telling it where to go. bellacaledonia.org.uk/2014/08/25/on-shame-both-personal-and-political/
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 07:18:48 +0000
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