By MADDIE McCLOUSKEY
Think about the last time you called someone crazy (to their face or behind their back).
What message were you trying to send? I’m sure it wasn’t a positive one.
Was the “crazy” person a woman? I wouldn’t be shocked.
It would be hypocritical of me to shame you for it because we’ve all done it. That’s why it’s important that we discuss it.
The Connotations of ‘Crazy’
There’s a disconnect between the usage of the word “crazy” and its actual meaning. When calling someone “crazy” in conversation, it usually serves one of three purposes
1. To “Other” them.
When you call someone crazy, the implication is that they are separate and somehow entirely different from you.
They’re a deviation from the norm — they’re other.
Othering a group of people is the first step to inequality. And separate isn’t equal.
2. To Dismiss
I find that “crazy” has become a go-to word to describe less-than-perfect family members and ex-partners. When someone in our personal lives is deemed “crazy,” it’s code for “I don’t like them. Don’t take them seriously.”
We use “crazy” to write people off.
3. To Shame
In everyday life, we brand people with a scarlet letter “C” when we do not approve of their behavior.
This implies that so-called crazy people have complete control of their actions and should feel ashamed for stepping outside of the norm.