Former White house intern-turned-social activist Monica Lewinsky has advocated for a stop to online shaming and cyberbullying, and hopes to make other victims feel less alone in their experiences. (Photo : Facebook/Bystander Revolution Official Page)
Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern who made headlines for her much-publicized affair with former President Bill Clinton, is back in the news.
Lewinsky spends much of her time these days advocating an end to bullying. After years of dropping out of the public scene, she has resurfaced in recent years, ready to take the cudgels for victims of online harassment and humiliation.
Brand marketers, sales leaders, students, celebrities, and social activists assent to Lewinsky's biting critiques against public shaming. In one of her recent talks in Vancouver, British Columbia, she got a wild standing ovation, The New York Times reported.
During her talks, she cited not just her own traumatizing experiences that created a political and media maelstrom in 1998, but also the stories of some people who have fallen victim to online bashing and bullying.
The 42-year-old activist who tucked a master's degree in social psychology from the London School of Economics recently joined hands with web platforms that aim to spur collective action from good intentions.
Bystander Revolution is among them. Established by MacKenzie Bezos and launched in April 2014, it aims to help defuse the stigma created by bullying. Lewinsky was also featured in the TED online global community which presents short, powerful talks.
Lewinsky's new perspectives and positive public image were hard-won. While she is open about discussing one of the darkest moments in her life, she is not about to reveal the more private side of herself, like who she is dating. Lewinsky openly stated that she has "a very full and fulfilling life," People magazine reported.
As Lewinsky continues to aspire for a shift in mindset and a cultural revolution of sorts, actively participating in talk shows and web discussions, haters continue to sneer and spew virtual vitriol. Some things just do not change.
