Ignominy is something that is embarrassing or dishonorable, such as the existence of extreme poverty.
Ignominia is a word that comes from the Latin ignominĭa and refers to public affront . The etymology of the term is related to in-nomen ( "without name" ) since that is the effect caused by dishonorable actions known as ignominy.
Ignominy, in short, is an offense that is carried out publicly and that is visible to the members of a community . The victim of ignominy may feel ashamed of the action and suffer social discredit.
Concept of ignominy
Ignominious behavior generally seeks to expose the weaknesses of others so that they experience shame, a situation that is expressed through blushing of the face and looking at the floor, for example. Ignominy involves a procedure that does not take into account the evil it causes or even wants to cause it.
One of the historical figures who has spoken the most about the term we are now dealing with is the Prussian philosopher and intellectual Karl Marx . Specifically, this figure, father of Marxism and modern communism, what he came to make clear is that ignominy, to be considered as such, had to be conscious, had to be made public.
However, in addition to everything stated above, we cannot ignore that this term was used at the time of the absolute power of the Roman Empire. At that time it was used to refer to a military punishment that was established by the censors and that could consist of several things: descending several degrees, exposing the person publicly without wearing the military belt or ordering him to attack the sides from the first positions. enemies.
That human beings continue to resolve their conflicts through wars is an ignominy.
Other uses of the term
In the same way, we cannot ignore the fact that ignominy is also used to refer to an action that is carried out and that represents a real attack on the beauty of something or someone. A clear example of this is the following sentence: "It is an ignominy to have ravaged and devastated by logging the natural park that was the green lung of the area."
Another use of the concept of ignominy is linked to situations of injustice . In this sense, ignominy is understood as a kind of stain that threatens dignity or civilization: "Poverty is an ignominy that should shame all the peoples of the first world," "An ignominy like child malnutrition cannot be tolerated by the Argentine government .
The ignominy caused by politicians
An ignominy can be caused by the individual who has a certain power or authority in front of a community: "The president committed the ignominy of raising his salary when our retirees are dying of hunger," "The governor's ignominy is unacceptable: his actions "He must be condemned to the fullest extent of the law."
Currently we can say that ignominy has become very present in our society as a result of the coming to light of countless cases in which political leaders have carried out all types of fraud, deception and have managed to enrich themselves through appropriation. improper use of money from public funds or of illegal origin.