Why do people humiliate others?

What did I do to deserve this? Why me?…….

Have you ever felt powerless in front of a crowd? Have you ever questioned as to why you had to face that particular situation and why you had to feel embarrassed?

Feeling humiliated is not a feeling we like to dwell on. It is an unpleasant feeling which shakes us to the very core. In simple terms, humiliation is the odious feeling we get when someone has deliberately done something to make us feel bad or demean us in front of others. The vulnerability and helplessness that accompanies humiliation will stick with us from there onwards and make us question each and every decision we make from there onwards.
Humiliation comes in many forms. The first thing that comes to our mind on par with the word ‘humiliation’ is bullying and mocking. Overpowering another by physical means isn’t the only method of humiliation. Badmouthing, spreading bad rumors behind the back and making belittling remarks publicly, ridiculing disabilities and inabilities, teasing, ragging are all means of humiliation.

People feel sad and hurt over many things, but the difference between feeling humiliated is that it is done on purpose. The person who is humiliating the other is very well away from what he or she is doing and the pain inflicted on the other.

But why do people humiliate others?

There are two reasons why people humiliate others. It is either for retaliation over past wrongdoing or for the sake of inflicting pain just because they can’t stand that person.

Humiliating somebody or demeaning someone is relative to each individual. It is all about the power the ‘humiliator’ yields over the humiliated party. Although humiliating another can give the ‘humiliator’ a momentary satisfaction about how superior he or she was, the negative impact it leaves on the person who is humiliated can be permanent. Sometimes the damage caused could be much more severe than what is seen.
Being humiliated can make us feel stupid, inferior, and question our worth.

Feeling humiliated and ridiculed can lead to serious health problems. People become isolated and ill-esteemed which will lead to anxiety, depression, and paranoia. Severe cases of humiliation can be paralyzing for some, and they might even give up on their interests, goals and even their life at one point.
Other than the health conditions this chronic feeling of powerlessness that is imposed on an individual, particularly a child, can manifest in an aggressive manner over the years as well. The children who were beaten will turn into the ones who give a beating to the others once they grow up, and the ones who were intimidated will be intimidators one day.

What is world humiliation day?

The world humiliation day is not about humiliating others. It is not an excuse to be rude and unkind to others, yet quite the opposite. It is a reminder for all of us that we should spread humility, humbleness, and modesty among each other. This day is about highlighting the damage humiliation can cause and the highlight value of humility.
Although the origins of this annual day are unknown some say that Abraham Lincoln requested for a Humiliation day celebration as he felt that his people had grown distant from God and the virtues of humanity despite all the wealth and power they had acquired.

Abraham Lincoln’s Humiliation day was all about praying for clemency and forgiveness, yet there is another Humiliation day that should be made reference to. That is the Chinese – Canadian Humiliation day, but it is commemorated on the 1st of July. They acknowledge the Chinese exclusion act which passed in Canada stopping Chinese immigration dividing hundreds of Chinese families and subjecting the families that remained in Canada to racism and abuse.

How can we make the best out of Humiliation Day?

The first and foremost thing we should keep in mind is that our actions and words bear a lot of power even though we do not pay attention to them very much. We should always keep in mind how harmful humiliation can be and how we would feel if we had to face such a situation, as humiliation can scar a soul forever.
Secondly, we should remember that a simple act of appreciation, being modest and humble can have a huge impact on a person who is already feeling down. We should never encourage the slightest act of bullying or mocking under any circumstance.

On the other hand, if you are a victim of humiliation, you should keep in mind that pain is not pained until you choose to suffer. Keep your head straight and put on your poker face and move forward because the guilty digs barks first.

With a brand new year unwinding itself, let the humiliation day be a reminder for all of us to refrain from humiliating others and to spread love and kindness.

Article by: Divya Perera