Comment by brickmort

In the months leading up to the Russia's october revolution in 1917, citizens learned that it was much easier to just wear the badge of support for the revolution than be publicly harassed and ostracized by supporters. This passivity is what ultimately allowed the bolsheviks to gain power to in Russia's government and helped kick off events that plunged the country into decades of famine and misery. while the context and scenario here is different, 'eating the shame' is a very slippery slope.