Like most of the go-to insults for women, crazy’s intent is not to accurately describe a female’s state of mind so much as it is to make sure nobody hears about her state of mind from her. It’s a diversion tactic; her apparent insanity, which is beside the point, becomes the point. “She’s crazy” is the fastest, most universally-accepted way for someone, usually a male someone, to discredit the legitimate source of a woman’s thoughts, feelings or behavior. Calling someone crazy is just a low-grade version of gaslighting them, of trying to convince a woman that her perception does not align with reality. For a long time, the way around this critique was just to dodge it. This is not the world’s most effective rebuttal; like being drunk or in denial, you never sound crazier than when you’re saying “I’m not crazy.” Lately, though, crazy has been making a comeback. People still fling it at women like the easy slur that it is. But instead of trying to escape the label, women are starting to own it. No more of this “No, I’m not!” Now it’s all about the “You’re damn right I am. So what? Screw you.” (via Think Progress)
Posted on: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 22:58:38 +0000
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