 (stĭg'mə) |
A mark or token of infamy, disgrace, or reproach: "Party affiliation has never been more casual . . . The stigmata of decay are everywhere" (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.) See Synonyms at stain.
- Archaic A mark burned into the skin of a criminal or slave; a brand.
Token of Infamy, Disgrace, Reproach, a Brand.
All of these are tools to keep the "criminal" from interacting with the rest of society. Criminals are a hated group of society, but one group of criminals brings out the animalistic nature of humans.
Sex Offenders.
Stigma is so heavily attached to sex offenders that a mere accusation is enough to raise the hackles of most people.
Why is this important? Stigma removes Liberty.
lib·er·ty
[lib-er-tee]
ər
1 :the quality or state of being free: a : the power to do as one pleases b : freedom from physical restraint c : freedom from arbitrary or despotic control d : the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges e : the power of choice
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." --Declaration of Independence
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are endowed by our Creator. That means that they cannot be taken away.
When Stigma is present, Liberty cannot exist.
To argue that Stigma is removing Liberty, you must meet the "Stigma Plus" rule. More than just mere reputation must be lost with the Stigma. Such as employment or property of some sort.
Once you meet that requirement, you have proven that Liberty is lost due to Stigma. At that point, suits under 1983 and the 14th Amendment become applicable.
Stigma is created by the lies told. A majority of sex offenders do not recidivate. The numbers that do, float between 3-5% depending on the study. The general public feels that sex offenders are monsters that if given a chance, will do the unthinkable again.
The numbers don't lie.
Yet Stigma still remains.
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