File this one in your basket of deplorables.
“Insane Skitzo Adult Costume” is an orange prisoner jumpsuit with a muzzle and shackles on his wrists. It’s part of the “Asylum” series of costumes you can find all over the internet, including Walmart.com.
This costume communicates that all mentally ill people are dangerous — and that’s an extremely disgusting assertion. The “Insane Skitzo Adult Costume” not only perpetuates the stereotype that people who are mentally ill are criminal and violent, but it makes light of us and our struggles. It’s insensitive to say the least.
The language touting the costume boasts: “They might need a straight jacket [sic] to restrain you when you go psycho in our Skitzo Adult Costume. Inspired by Doctor Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, this scary prisoner costume will have you looking like a crazy cannibal convict.”
For one thing, it’s “schizo,” not “skitzo.” I’ve met people with schizophrenia at Dual Recovery Anonymous and Dual Diagnosis Anonymous, recovery programs for those of us with mental illness and addiction. They’re perfectly nice people who happen to have an illness. It doesn’t define them. Schizophrenics may sometimes be aloof and quiet, but they are not animals, like this costume would suggest.
The description of the costume closes with this: “Pass up the fava beans and nice Chianti this Halloween for a scary Halloween disguise with our adult Insane Skitzo Costume.”
Is it too much to ask for people to dress up sensibly for Halloween? I’m not saying everyone has to be something boring like Dracula or Donald Trump — maybe they are one in the same? — but put some thought into what you’re wearing and don’t be afraid to shun insensitive costumes like this.
The manufacturers of this costume should call this what it is: a Hannibal Lecter costume.
What’s the most offensive Halloween costume you’ve ever seen?
And what are you going as this year? I’m dressing up as my favorite bipolar celebrity – Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.
