Why is This Blog Called “The Crazy People Diaries?”

Today I am going to explain myself a bit. Why exactly did I name this blog “The Crazy People Diaries?” Let’s look at the origins of the word “crazy.” According to etymonline.com, the word “crazy” originated in the 1570’s and it was used to describe people as “diseased” or “sickly.” Later on in the 1610’s, it was used as a derogatory term and meant “deranged, demented, of unsound mind or behaving as so.” In fact, the word “crazy” is quite offensive! Portland.gov states that, “The word crazy, both historically and today, has been used to dehumanize those of us with mental health disabilities and discredit our experiences.” Then, why did I use this word in the name of my blog? 

Well, as someone who has a mental health disability (schizophrenia), I have been called “crazy” before. When making this blog, and choosing its name, I decided that I would reclaim that word. I want to prove that although I may be considered “crazy” by some, I can make something positive from it. This reclamation is very similar to how people in the LGBTQ+ community have reclaimed the word “queer.” The word “queer” has been historically used to oppress LGBTQ+ people, just like the word “crazy.” 

In my everyday language, I do try to stay away from calling other people or situations crazy, but I feel comfortable calling myself that word. In fact, I often make jokes about myself, regarding myself as a “crazy person.” I often even call the medications I take every day “crazy people drugs.” Would I call someone else’s mental health medications “crazy people drugs?” No. Definitely not, unless the person explicitly says it’s okay. I use the word crazy in relation to myself in sort of a jaunty, fun, and quirky sense. 

If you do not have any mental health disorders, I encourage you to avoid the use of the word “crazy,” even if you are joking. If you are promoting my blog, then you can use that word! 😉 

But in a more serious sense, many people will make ableist comments and often include that word, when, in reality, the true definition of the word doesn’t even apply to the situation or person in question. We need to be more conscientious of our language to avoid making hateful or derogatory statements. Sometimes we make microaggressions without even realizing it. 

As I’ve stated before, I teach at Oregon State University as an instructor of Indigenous Studies. I strongly encourage my students to be conscientious of their language in classroom discussions and in homework assignments. For example, instead of using the word “Indian” to describe Native Americans, I encourage them to say “Indigenous,” or “Native American,” or “Native Peoples.” 

There is a caveat, though. Some Indigenous peoples prefer calling themselves “Indians.” And that’s okay! But when white people call Indigenous peoples “Indians,” it often comes with a subtext of racism, colonialism, and oppression. The same caveat applies to the word “crazy.” If, like me, a person with a mental illness wants to call themselves, jokingly or not, “crazy,” that is okay! That is their decision since they are a part of the group that has been historically oppressed by that word, and they are reclaiming it. But when a neurotypical, non-mentally ill person calls someone or something “crazy,” it comes off as ableist. 

So, that is why my blog is called “The Crazy People Diaries.”

I am trying to monetize this website, but I don’t really know how to, being famously bad with computers. So I’m going to plug my venmo and paypal. Any gifts I get from you all will be met with the utmost gratitude. I’ve got bills to pay, and pets to feed!

Paypal: @RyanYounker

Venmo: @Ryan-Younker-26