Zoua Nikki Thao - Week 3
The readings for this week draw upon unique and different perspectives on what the mental health industrial complex and the clash of self look like when the topic of the spirit realm is brought into the picture. From a shamanic perspective on mental hospital treatments to wanting to challenge what is seen as normal within the mental world, the readings addressed the myriad of issues that continue to permeate the Western society's view and response to mental illness and the spirit realm.
The tarot cards, the Survivor, the Patient and the Prisoner were very interesting to read because an Asian American woman myself, I was able to relate on an emotional and spiritual level. Especially when the Prisoner tarot card mentioned feeling invisible by the model minority and seeking to dismantle systems like the prison industrial complex, it seemed like the card was written about me. The Survivor tarot card was also compelling as it spoke about vulnerability being beautiful and powerful. These are all things that I agree with on a spiritual level and appreciated reading the tarot cards in response to the other readings this week that brought to question the clash of self and the polarizing effects of mental health institutions.
"Fucked Up: I would Always Rather be Abnormal than Holistic," by Shana Bullhan Haydock was extremely powerful as she brought forth many ideas that I have never thought about before. I loved how raw, honest and beautiful it was as it was written in her vulnerability. To challenge holistic health with what we perceive to be "normal" is new, and daring as she rallies on why it is crucial to steer away from normalizing ideas that take away from an individual's sense of self. I begin to question myself how I have romanticized the idea of a holistic approach to one's well-being, rather than challenging norms that have been constructed by a society dominated by western, white-male ideology.
Works Cited:
http://missiodeisantacruz.org/2013/02/holistic-health-conversation/
Shana Bulhan Haydock. “Fucked Up: I Would Always Rather be Abnormal than Holistic.” in Open in Emergency.
The tarot cards, the Survivor, the Patient and the Prisoner were very interesting to read because an Asian American woman myself, I was able to relate on an emotional and spiritual level. Especially when the Prisoner tarot card mentioned feeling invisible by the model minority and seeking to dismantle systems like the prison industrial complex, it seemed like the card was written about me. The Survivor tarot card was also compelling as it spoke about vulnerability being beautiful and powerful. These are all things that I agree with on a spiritual level and appreciated reading the tarot cards in response to the other readings this week that brought to question the clash of self and the polarizing effects of mental health institutions.
"Fucked Up: I would Always Rather be Abnormal than Holistic," by Shana Bullhan Haydock was extremely powerful as she brought forth many ideas that I have never thought about before. I loved how raw, honest and beautiful it was as it was written in her vulnerability. To challenge holistic health with what we perceive to be "normal" is new, and daring as she rallies on why it is crucial to steer away from normalizing ideas that take away from an individual's sense of self. I begin to question myself how I have romanticized the idea of a holistic approach to one's well-being, rather than challenging norms that have been constructed by a society dominated by western, white-male ideology.
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| A visual of what holistic health should encompass. |
http://missiodeisantacruz.org/2013/02/holistic-health-conversation/
Shana Bulhan Haydock. “Fucked Up: I Would Always Rather be Abnormal than Holistic.” in Open in Emergency.
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