Jakayla F.

Photography by Dominique Barret

If you’re reading this, embarrassment is not real.

The concept of embarrassment always puzzled me. How can doing something that makes you laugh end up making you feel humiliated, just because others say it should? 

Back in high school, I lived by the idea that embarrassment was a myth. I remember one day, I was in the lunch line with my closest friend when she whispered:

 “Jakayla, can you stop embarrassing me?”. 

I paused. I had just been dancing in line, partially to entertain my friends but mainly because I was bored. It wasn’t embarrassing to me, but to her, it was like I was inviting everyone to stare. 

Reluctantly, I stopped. As we made our way to the table, I had to ask, “Why did you find it so embarrassing? You weren’t even the one dancing.” 

She shrugged. “Because it just was,” she mumbled as if that explained everything.

 I shook my head but let it go. 

Avoiding self-expression to fit in means losing part of who you are. I’ve always preferred to embrace every quirky part of me. Living without the fear of judgment has given me freedom, it has allowed me to make deeper connections with others. That day, I decided that embarrassment wasn’t real. 

If you’re reading this, I hope I have empowered you to dance freely, to push boundaries and transform embarrassment into a badge of honor.

Jakayla F., Duke University

Connect With Us

To follow IfYoureReadingThis at Duke on Instagram, get in touch with our chapter, and learn about more resources available to Duke students, visit our chapter’s homepage.