News flash: I just overreacted to something I saw on the Internet. (If you know me, or are one of the two people who read this blog that will not come as a shock to you.). Moving on.
A few days ago I started following a blogger that I like on Pinterest. Don't get me started on how addictive Pinterest is, that's a story for another time. In any case today he posted something that really irked me. And rather than be the cool, calm, collected self I strive to be, I reacted. I posted a comment in response to the pin. Wrong Cora. Bad move. Well, let's just say I created a stir and had lots of strangers on the Internet yelling at me. This really shouldn't bother me at all. But it totally did. All day long. Why, you ask?
The pin that caused the stir was the phrase "I hate my bipolar disorder; it's awesome!" with this :(: emoticon. My initial reaction was that's funny (in a not really funny but I got the bad joke sorta way). But then I got mad. This blogger is pretty well known and respected for his good taste and style. And he carries his Christian values around like his favorite briefcase. The "joke" was in bad taste and certainly not Christian. And I said as much. On the Internet. To strangers. (yeah, yeah in hindsight a bad idea) Lots of people came to his defense saying that they either had a bipolar disorder or loved someone who did and they found the humor in the comment. We are all entitled to our own opinions I guess.
As I stewed throughout the day I had these thoughts:
- Someone who is a "public figure" I feel has a obligation to not perpetuate a stigma around mental illness. Making light of bipolar disorder in my opinion is doing just that.
- There are many public figures who would not find that statement funny in the least. Jesse Jackson Jr. is working very hard to be a stable, functioning adult with bipolar disorder right now. I certainly don't think he would describe his stay at the Mayo Clinic as awesome.
- We as a society have a long history of joking about that which we do not understand. People of other races, genders, sexual orientations, religions have been the butt of jokes for years. Thankfully it seems it is now socially inappropriate to mock such things, but yet it's okay to make fun of mental illness. Something seems amiss to me on that logic. Am I wrong?
- The "It Gets Better" campaign was started to encourage teens questioning their sexual orientation to push through the teasing and bullying. However, we can still tease someone about their mental illness. Again, doesn't add up.
- Over the past year, I have developed a much stronger connection to my Christian faith. If that's not your thing, that's fine. As a result I've worked very hard to not be a hypocritical Christian. Meaning simply: I try to walk the walk. This blogger is also a self-described Christian. Christian values would dictate that you treat everyone with respect and dignity. Poking fun at someone's illness? Not Christian.
As I've been writing this I've been struggling with whether or not I overreacted. I really don't know anymore. I obviously should have kept my mouth shut on Pinterest and not said anything because it did no good. I'm curious where other people stand on this. Is it OK to joke about one's own experiences if it sends the wrong message to others?
Thursday, August 16, 2012
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