Chrystos

I've blogged several times about my co worker with the bad boundaries. I haven't really discussed what she looks like, but ever since I met her she reminded me of somebody and now I know who it is.

Chrystos.

Who is Chrystos? Well for starters, click on the subject tile of this post and it will take you to a site discussing her work. She's an esteemed "dyke identified native american poet".

How did I come across Chrystos? Well, she was the commencement speaker at my friend Kurt's graduation ceremony from San Francisco's New College School of Social Psychiatry. The school was steeped in identity politics so it stands to reason why Chrystos would be invited to speak.

Her inspiring message to these graduating, aspiring psychiatrists: Psychiatry as practice does more harm than good and that those with mental problems would be better off shutting themselves in a room by themselves for several years rather than go to a shrink. Oh yeah, in passing, Chrystos discussed being raped at the moment of her birth which furthered her disenchantment with the Medical Profession.

Not your typical graduation address, but I have to give Chrystos credit, she sure gave a memorable address and the same can't be said for most graduation talks, which are formulaic and steeped in cliche.