[
link to story ]
OK - so the Vermont Teddy Bear company releases its Valentine's Day bear, called the "crazy for you bear" - it happens to be wearing a straight jacked and has commitment papers.
Vermont's 'mental health community' (no clue what that refers to) has called the bear demeaning and stigmatizing to people with mental illness. The Vermont Teddy Bear people apparently agree, as it was announced today that the bears will be removed from their website etc.
Since GC has had relatively in-depth mental health discussions before, I figured this would be a pretty good place to run some inquiry.
Now - the question presented is simple: how far is too far to protect small groups from being 'marginalized' or 'stigmatized' by common usage, or this sort of portrayal? Does this actually carry a stigma with it? If you've had mental health issues before, does this bear send you back to the doctor?
Finally, where does it stop? Should the words 'crazy' and 'insane' be eliminated from common lexicon, along with their blacksheep cousins such as 'retard'?
Also, can someone make a comprehensive list of common words I can't say anymore? Thanks.