Stigma—Tattooed with Disgrace
Listen: “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day
A stigma is a mark of disgrace. In most cultural contexts, something is stigmatized because it lies outside the conventions of what is considered normal and acceptable. If someone finds themselves living outside mainstream culture—life on the margins—then one can find themselves “marked” or “tattooed” with disgrace by individuals or communities. The word “stigma” comes from Latin and Greek origins meaning to “to brand or scar with an iron or tattoo with an instrument.” In the medieval period of Christianity, “stigmata” was referred to as appearances of bodily wounds, scars, and pain in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ. St. Francis of Assisi was the first recorded stigmatic. In English, “stigma” was used figuratively as early as the 1600’s.
Some stigmas can derive from behavioral choices which are hurtful to others and/or self-destructive. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic book, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is the main character who is forced to wear a scarlet letter “A” on her dress as punishment for her adultery. As the novel unfolds, most readers find themselves more appalled by the puritanical, hypocritical attitudes of the punishers rather than the adulteress. By the end of the novel, one has an new appreciation for Hester Prynne, who bore the scarlet letter.
Another example of behavioral misconduct which is stigmatized in our culture is substance use disorder. I heard a recent lecture about stigmas associated with substance use disorder and learned that 45% of the public is unwilling to live next to or be close friends with someone with a substance use disorder (SUD); and similarly, about 45% of the public don’t want a person in recovery marrying into their family. Despite this stigma, research is showing that SUD is more closely associated with the disease model (genetic predisposition) rather than a strictly behavioral model. Removing misconceptions around stigmas can lead to more compassionate support, treatment, and resources for those in recovery.
Instead of behavioral choices, some stigmas result from circumstances beyond a person’s control. People can experience stigmas based on the color of their skin, a mental health condition, a disease or illness, a sexual orientation, a mental or physical disability, or becoming a refugee, an orphan, an immigrant, or a homeless person. Stigmas result in people being judged and excluded from loving community, many-times harshly without warrant.
One of the beautiful lessons we can learn from the life and ministry of Jesus was the way in which he showed solidarity with those who were stigmatized. Jesus drew on passages from the Torah like Deuteronomy 10:18: “He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing” (NLT). In one of Jesus’ classic teachings, he identifies himself with the “least of these” or those who are stigmatized—the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the prisoner. Jesus said if you feed, clothe, care, visit, and show hospitality to the “least of these” then you do it to me. A powerful statement of solidarity with those who suffer from stigmas.
Jesus’ focus was radical love, forgiveness, and inclusion. Even while Jesus was crucified by the systemic forces of injustice, he spoke words of forgiveness towards his abusers: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). He spoke words of solidarity to the criminals crucified next to him: “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). And he bore the “marks” or the “tattoos” of solidarity with all those who suffer, whether or not the suffering is due to behavioral choices or systemic injustices beyond a person’s control.
I was recently doing a podcast interview with Sister Miracles of “Sisters Poor of Jesus Christ” (https://youtu.be/r-CUnFqngtI). She has committed her life to seeing the “hidden face of Jesus” in the poor, the addicted, the mentally challenged, and the homeless. Perhaps it’s a way of seeing people for who they really are. Seeing through the stigma to the beautiful person whose dignity shines bright once we hear their story, identify with their pain, and join them on a journey of healing, discovery, and wholeness. Then we can bear the marks and scars of disgrace with dignity and grace—together in solidarity.
Contrary to the deeply haunting, resonating lyrics of Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong:
I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I’m the only one, and I walk alone
My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s the only thing that’s beating
Sometimes, I wish someone out there will find me
‘Till then, I walk alone
We need to find each other and bear our scars in dignity and solidarity with each other. May stigmas be damned for isolating us. May stigmas be transformed in order to unite us. We are not alone.
Shalom
©realfredherron, 2022
