Many of the rites of passage, those rituals of growing up found in our society, are in the form of such comic, practical joking affairs--which we ignore in the belief that they possess no deeper significance. Yet it is precisely in their being regarded as unimportant that they take on importance. For in them we ritualize and dramatize attitudes which contradict and often embarrass the sacred values which we proclaim through our solemn ceremonies and rituals of nationhood.

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For us Africans, literature must serve a purpose: to expose, embarrass, and fight corruption and authoritarianism. It is understandable why the African artist is utilitarian.

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I think it's going to be like the postseason. The last thing we want to do is embarrass our country.

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Do not run a campaign that would embarrass your mother.

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I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.

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A creationist can embarrass an evolutionist by asking for a definition of species.

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There is nothing you can say in answer to a compliment. I have been complimented myself a great many times, and they always embarrass me--I always feel that they have not said enough.

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We're not going to embarrass this president,

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