okay so i was thinking about what society as a whole considers crazy and how the behaviors that
define this term are subject to change (depending on the epoch).

there are the old stand-bys such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and others that consistently turn
up in historical accounts in terms of their occurence.

however, there are some illnesses that seem defined solely by the period and the state of the society
at a given time. for example, in the late 1800's an illness known as "nervous condition" or
"neurosthemia" was common among those of caucasian decent and an upper class background.
today, we have an oddly disproportionate number of homeless people who are clinically "ill," no doubt
be cause they lie on the fringes of society.

my question is whether or not, given the societal climate and the failures of said society at any given
time, it is the "proper" response to go crazy? if, in fact, the world is fucked up and you continue on
as sane as ever you're just contributing to and condoning the shortcomings of society. right? and if
you go the alternate route and wig the fuck out, you're acknowledgng that the world desires much
and offers little and, in turn, are being radical in your own right. right?

talk amongst yourselves.


-------------------------------------------------------------------
"This must be what it means to get old. I could hate no one when I was young. Now i can and I do." --Edwidge Danticat

we are a sensitive people
and brave
and the two are inseparable, for
the armor of bravery is necessary
to protect our sensitive skins.

we have many wounds
old wounds that will not heal
we were never given time to heal
to reconcile the past with the present, for
we tread the waters of the past in
living the present. ---me