Jan 11, 2013 2:57 AM GMT
Topic title changed Jan 13. It's a TL;DR that explains what was learned from the thread.
A good thing that came out of that malevolant troll was that it gave us a reason to pull the dusty box of compassion from under our beds; it got people to draw a line between humor that's harmless and humor that indignifies the suffering of others. There are costs to some jokes that are too high.
It was good to see everyone show sensitivity and unity when it came to using a disease to insult someone. I am writing this to see if the same sensitivity and unity will be shown to those suffering, and those who have survived a loved one of mental illness.
Mental illness can range from ADHD or mild anxiety to major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder. Suicide rates are the highest amongst the mentally ill, and most suicide attempts are made by the mentally ill. Rates are even higher amongst LGBT.
Most of us have either had or cared about someone who was suffering from a mental health problem. You would expect we would be less willing to tolerate when forum members use it to insult each other. But we do tolerate it.
There is a sick internet meme/joke called "an hero", making fun of a badly spelled memorial to a boy who committed suicide. It's not used often because it is disrespectful to the dead boy, and very harsh to the person it is used against.
This was written recently by an RJ member about someone here who has been open about Depression, suicide attempts and existing suicidal thoughts.
We always clamour when we hear about the most recent youth having killed themselves due to bullying. We are so decisive that it is wrong. But most members fail to speak up against it when it happens right here.
We have committed to not shy away when someone jokes about AIDS, which is a great start to 2013 for RJ. I wonder, is there any compassion and principled commitment remaining to stand against jokes about the mentally ill?
A good thing that came out of that malevolant troll was that it gave us a reason to pull the dusty box of compassion from under our beds; it got people to draw a line between humor that's harmless and humor that indignifies the suffering of others. There are costs to some jokes that are too high.
It was good to see everyone show sensitivity and unity when it came to using a disease to insult someone. I am writing this to see if the same sensitivity and unity will be shown to those suffering, and those who have survived a loved one of mental illness.
Mental illness can range from ADHD or mild anxiety to major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder. Suicide rates are the highest amongst the mentally ill, and most suicide attempts are made by the mentally ill. Rates are even higher amongst LGBT.
Most of us have either had or cared about someone who was suffering from a mental health problem. You would expect we would be less willing to tolerate when forum members use it to insult each other. But we do tolerate it.
There is a sick internet meme/joke called "an hero", making fun of a badly spelled memorial to a boy who committed suicide. It's not used often because it is disrespectful to the dead boy, and very harsh to the person it is used against.
This was written recently by an RJ member about someone here who has been open about Depression, suicide attempts and existing suicidal thoughts.
Gosh, I thought he was dead. Would not have known it was still haunting the forums if you had not quoted. Have had it on my blocked/ignore list for quite some time now.I'll leave the names out, as it doesn't matter who said it. And I have seen Depression and suicidal feelings mocked in many ways by many people in my time here. Failed attempts, "wish you had succeeded". Not yet attempted, "the world would be better off without you".
I wonder when they will find the body an hero? Always negative. Never anything enlightening to say. Surely headed for an hero or some other bad death.
We always clamour when we hear about the most recent youth having killed themselves due to bullying. We are so decisive that it is wrong. But most members fail to speak up against it when it happens right here.
We have committed to not shy away when someone jokes about AIDS, which is a great start to 2013 for RJ. I wonder, is there any compassion and principled commitment remaining to stand against jokes about the mentally ill?
I don't think they were meant to be funny, but rather to display the author's utter loathing of the object and unintentionally their own heartlessness. As always those lines say way more about the author than their object. 
