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Thursday, 1 August 2013 10:12 am
(no subject)
In the last few years, I have seen or heard the words "crazy homeless guy" together quite a few times. Sometimes a still less politically correct version like "crazy hobo." (Note: Wikipedia says that hobos are migratory workers, as distinct from lazy "tramps" and "bums.")
This is starting to grate on me. I know that many homeless people have mental health issues, probably most often as a cause of their homelessness, but all too often somebody jumps to the conclusion that a guy who acts odd is not only crazy but homeless. He might be sane enough to keep a home, or his insanity might be too recent to affect where he can stay yet.
I also notice that people sometimes include the "guy" part when the gender hasn't really been established. A quick search indicates that homeless men outnumber homeless women, but not by much. I realize it's probably just a default gender thing, but I worry that this sort of talk could further marginalize homeless women -- who, I might add, more often have their difficulties compounded by children.
What does this characterization accomplish anyway? Do we feel sorrier for crazy people if we think they're homeless, or do we want even less contact with homeless people in case they're crazy? Given that I see the noun phrase most often in comedic contexts, I doubt that it emphasizes pity.
So I for one will forgo using the designation outside of direct quotations. If I do know a person to be crazy, homeless, and male, I'll try to be more sensitive in talking about him.
This is starting to grate on me. I know that many homeless people have mental health issues, probably most often as a cause of their homelessness, but all too often somebody jumps to the conclusion that a guy who acts odd is not only crazy but homeless. He might be sane enough to keep a home, or his insanity might be too recent to affect where he can stay yet.
I also notice that people sometimes include the "guy" part when the gender hasn't really been established. A quick search indicates that homeless men outnumber homeless women, but not by much. I realize it's probably just a default gender thing, but I worry that this sort of talk could further marginalize homeless women -- who, I might add, more often have their difficulties compounded by children.
What does this characterization accomplish anyway? Do we feel sorrier for crazy people if we think they're homeless, or do we want even less contact with homeless people in case they're crazy? Given that I see the noun phrase most often in comedic contexts, I doubt that it emphasizes pity.
So I for one will forgo using the designation outside of direct quotations. If I do know a person to be crazy, homeless, and male, I'll try to be more sensitive in talking about him.