confused Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I want to write a letter to the newspaper commenting on how offensive this is, but I'm at a loss for words at the moment. http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11926613?IAD...mercurynews.com This ran in March, but I just saw it today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withing Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 It's a theme based donut shop. I don't see anything offensive about it. I'd shop there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 It's ridiculous, thought I saw that skit on SNL once. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix_Rising Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I gotta say, I'd eat there too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I'm not offended and would likely eat there also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 eh, am fine with the idea but there are a few bits that bug me- such as "light-hearted insane asylum" (?? idk, it just is off to me.) and kids posing in a padded room with a straight-jacket on? really? b/c that's not feeding stereotypes at ALL... I think it's fine and dandy to make crazy donuts (even think some of it is clever/silly and have fun with the names, etc.) but making the padded room, straight-jacket, and asylums as happy funny things and places that have no respect for some of the horrors that they're mocking is a bit much to me. People can go there if they'd like, and I have no objection to the concept, but some of the details sit awkwardly with me. Not as just a person with MI, but as someone who has done some reading and studying about psychology's history and the mistreatment of the MI, especially with restraint and locking them up-- bleh. I know they're not trying to be offensive, but it just feels really insensitive in some ways. You wouldn't make mini shackles and have a play gas-chamber for mommy and daddy to take photos of the kids in..right? There are plenty of Jewish (and non Jewish) folks walking around who would find that offensive considering it's history and what it symbolizes. There are plenty of MI people (and non MI people) walking around who might find little tourist kids in straight-jackets giggling in a padded cell offensive considering the history (and sometimes current..) treatment of the MI and what those things symbolize. I know that's an emotionally charged example, but I couldn't think of anything else right now to explain what I mean. Anyway, I do tend to over-think things, yes-- but there's my perspective (which of course nobody has to agree with). I think it could be a really fun quirky place if they just were a little more sensitive about it. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tryp Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 If you read the "reader comments" under the article, it seems a lot of people were very upset by it. Personally, I think it's pretty insensitive, but then, y'all know we're pretty much one of the last groups that it's "okay" to stigmatize. I think the idea isn't too horrible, but they definitely took it way too far. Apparently there's some mention of ECT, and doughnuts named after specific conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murmur Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I think I'd patronize the place out of sheer curiosity. Sounds kinda cool... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 The straight jacket photos is a bit edgy. however, I'd like to try the pretzel covered donut with sweet/sour and spicy flavor! a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nalgas Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I mostly think it's pretty entertaining. I can see why some people would have a problem with it, but I don't. Some of the extremely outraged comments left on there have clearly been made by people with no sense of humor at all. As I've always said, if you can't laugh about something, you're taking it too seriously, even if it's a serious subject. Don't like it? Don't go there. I personally kind of like the idea of a One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest-themed donut shop. If I were nearby, I'd consider showing up dressed/acting in character just to screw with people. Maybe I can convince my friend in the area to get some people together and do it. Heh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowen Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I have mixed feelings. I don't take a lot of stuff seriously, and I don't personally feel offended by this. I am concerned that people who don't know better (e.g. assholes) might feel justified in discriminating against those with mental illnesses. If that makes any sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caillech Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I find it offensive in a way. The idea is ok I suppose, but MI can be serious and disabling. Nothing to "have a laugh" over. No-one would start a chemo themed business in hopes of "having fun." I hope the people of Campbell have banded together to do something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spork Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 See link for two letters to the editor that ran in San Jose Mercury News over the weekend. See the second and third letters on the page that I'm linking to here... Letters to editor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lottacrazy Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 he he he I think it is kind of clever, we have a Crazy Mocha where I am I guess that would be offensive too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nalgas Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I am concerned that people who don't know better (e.g. assholes) might feel justified in discriminating against those with mental illnesses. In my experience, assholes don't need any kind of excuse or external justification to do things like that. That's what makes them assholes. As long as it's not done maliciously and isn't the only public presentation of something (e.g. it's taught accurately in schools and discussed seriously in serious contexts and the news and stuff like that), I generally don't have a problem with people having fun. I find it offensive in a way. The idea is ok I suppose, but MI can be serious and disabling. Nothing to "have a laugh" over. No-one would start a chemo themed business in hopes of "having fun." I hope the people of Campbell have banded together to do something. I hope whatever "doing something" they do is limited to either buying donuts there or not buying donuts there. If enough people don't like it and are offended and don't eat there, it'll go out of business, and that'll take care of that just fine. If people don't mind it, they'll make money. I would be very disappointed if people start flipping out about it and doing something more dramatic than that, because there are so many more important things to get worked up over in life than donuts. It's probably pretty accurate to say that no one would start a chemotherapy- or gas chamber-themed business and be able to make it "fun", but I also don't think that's quite an accurate comparison. People do make cancer and Nazi jokes all the time, though, and while some people are offended by them (hi there, Germany, pulled the stick out of your collective butt yet?), other people laugh. I personally am ok with most stuff if it's not malicious, but a lot of people are bothered by some things like that, depending on their personalities or personal experiences. That's what makes people individuals. Yeah, maybe it's tasteless, but I don't think anyone has the right to not be offended by stuff. As much as I like complaining about stuff (and I really like complaining about stuff), I think it's probably more productive and effective to change stuff by promoting a healthy or "correct" (for whatever value of correctness you choose, whether it's accuracy or inoffensiveness or whatever) point of view than trying to stop people from being offensive or wrong. Eh. Just my opinion. Not entirely sure what my point was anymore now that I'm ranting and rambling. Heh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reddog Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 i have to say that black humor and snark are my choices for coping, and if i had chemo/cancer? i'd probably be making Chemo Dip or something like that for a party. come to think of it, i'm thinking of making pill shaped cookies for Crazystock. is that making fun of our conditions? or is it taking back my power by not letting my illness or other's reactions rule my life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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