June 14th, 2008
More on the ‘Lunatic Asylum’ Uproar
Continuing with the theme of my previous post, I thought I’d put the spotlight on a very thoughtful and fair take on the matter written by a gentleman named Don Moore.
Mr Moore comes from the side taking strong offense at use of the word “lunatic”. By looking beyond the word however, he’s found a better understanding of the Jordans’ activities and sees real value in some of the efforts they’ve made (although this doesn’t mean he agrees with everything they do).
You can read his thoughts here: Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, but I want to direct your attention especially to this:
“Rebecca and her father have attempted to create a facility in the community that uses its history to teach us lessons about the past while it struggles to find an economic model that will support its existence. Can anyone guess the interest and financial support that would be created by calling it the Weston Mental Health Museum?”
Well said.
Very well said indeed, however I personally still don’t see how the name is that offensive. I’m also still waiting to see any news about the protests
I don’t know if this helps you understand how it’s offensive to some, but the advocates’ point of view is that by calling the place a “lunatic asylum”, the people who were treated there (including many people still alive today) are being stigmatized as lunatics. Of course very few people would like to be known as a lunatic, or have a family member known as one either.
Whether the name really does that I think is a matter of opinion. I think most people understand the name is meant to convey the place’s historic identity and are capable of keeping that separate in their mind from the identity and character of the people who were treated there.
No, I understand why people are taking offense, I just don’t understand to what degree. The guy who wrote this article was saying just hearing that term “makes him feel sick”. I’ve had family at the Weston Hospital before, heck you’d be hard pressed to find anyone that lived in that area that didn’t, and I don’t personally know one person who finds the name offensive in the least. Just another case of someone else trying to come in and tell you what’s in your best interest!
trans-allegheny lunatic asylum riles some “folks”…
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. © matthewsalibi.com
WDTV featured a story earlier this week about protesters at the new Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston. I visited the asylum in the end of May; the newly-offered historic tour was one of the …
I’ve been in a psychiatric hospital, and I find the term “lunatic” to be very offensive and hurtful. But what can you expect out of a nation of people with no morals and who worship money? God knows.
Perhaps high gas prices will put a damper on their plans to make money at the expense of people who have suffered in that and other hospitals. This is not a good time to open a “theme park.” One can always hope.
The Jordans may be trying to “preserve history.” But does the ends justify the means? The Nazis sure did think so.