I’m currently taking a sociology course “Deviance and Social Control”. I’m finding it so incredibly interesting. Our main project is to do a critical unessay in the form of picture, poem, etc. I chose to write a poem on deviance and mental health because technically mental illness is outside of social norms which means it is considered “deviant”. Not sure if I’m going to keep it this way, add more, or edit it yet

Deviance, deviance

What is deviance?

They say what I’m feeling is abnormal or not the norm

Who are they to say what is “normal”?

They’re trying to control me, medicate me, numb me

Why?

So, I can fit into a box

The box is labeled

“Social norms”

It’s like a witch hunt

Either conform or be burnt at the metaphorical stake

Burn me, light me up

 If you want to

I’m not conforming to your norms

Deviance, deviance

What is deviance?

According to your rules

Me, I am deviance

I personify deviance