Is anyone offended?

[Taran 8]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24278768

 

Soo... This appeared on BBC news today. Basically two supermarket chains have had to withdraw Halloween costumes based around the stereo typical idea of a mental patient. Lots of people have got rather het up about this, including the mental health charity MIND.

 

And here's my question for you: Does anyone actually care about this? Loads of Halloween costumes are stereo typical, nurses, witches etc. Its not as though they are taking a dig at us personally, and it would make mental health sufferers seem a lot better in the public light if we realized that Asda and Tesco made a mistake, but if we can accept it gracefully and with good humor, then people understand that mental health sufferers are just like anyone else and can take a joke. To be honest its miss-labeled, and is more of a cheap horror movie psychopath than anything else, but I'm honestly curious as to why people are getting so angry. I've been in a mental health unit and I find it hilarious and wish I'd got one before they were withdrawn.

[Gilly 1086]

I'm not personally offended but I did cringe because I knew a lot of people would be. Especially MIND and other charities that for so many years have been trying to raise awareness and bring an end to the stigma attached to mental health. I can see why they would be upset and angry. 

 

They were selling a costume likening people with mental illness to an axe wielding zombie, it's just in very poor taste.

[ArrowHawk11 30]

Deffinately not offended at all. Its just a halloween costume to me. If you don't like it then don't buy or even look at it. Its as simple as that lol. Gone is common sense these days.

[shea7692 4]

I never saw what they looked like, but I wouldn't have gotten offended. It's a costume, and it wasn't made to offend anyone It's not like the manufacturer thought; "Ooh, I feel like offending some mentally ill people, let's make a Halloween costume to do so!"

I offend pretty easily to be honest and get defensive (if you know why, you'd understand lol), but that would not offend me in the slightest. I wouldn't even give it a second thought. Agree with ArrowHawk; common sense really isn't that common.

 

x

[Elf 7]

I am somewhat offended. I've never been in a mental health institution, but I have relatives with severe mental disorders and I've been called "mad" or "crazy" because of my anxiety.

[JOYCICLE 654]

That actually looks like a crazy dr butcher. If they had not named it ' mental patient' I doubt any one would have connected.

Either way , not offended. You think witches are offended? They've been dressed up like for centuries !

[Gilly 1086]

Yes joy exactly, they made a big boo boo naming it 'mental patient' Which I can't understand because before it was removed from sale I clicked on the URL via a link on twitter, the description in the URL said 'zombie costume' Someone made a simple error I think.

[Always-onguard 20]

Not offended. Like Arrow said, don't like it do't buy it. Too much political correctness now a days.

[K1477 1]

On October 3, 2013 at 7:59 PM, Always-onguard said:

Not offended. Like Arrow said, don't like it do't buy it. Too much political correctness now a days.

That's what I thought too. The PC Police run riot. I don't think it was meant as a dig to people with mental issues - it's more like a costume of a psychokiller, like Freddie or Jason in their horror movies. 

[davide.h 26]

Not at all. I like being the butt of jokes and like when my friends tease me. It means they think of me as an equal. They respect me, if that makes sense.