Not So ‘Woke’: LSU Students Outraged By Insomnia Cookies’ ‘Politically Incorrect’ Name

Jacqueline Davis, Staff Writer - January 19, 2018 | Updated June 2025

The Black Sheep @LSU

(Editor’s note: This piece was originally published in The Black Sheep in 2018 during my college years and has been updated and adapted for 2025 to reflect current events and refined voice.)

After sitting through their first-ever Women and Gender Studies class last week, a group of LSU freshmen have come forward, accusing Insomnia Cookies of “syndrome insensitivity,” claiming the late-night campus cookie shop needs to rethink the first half of its commodifying title, which derives from the preexisting sleep disorder, insomnia.

“We’re not one of your late-night snacks,” says freshman Toby Glitz through a mouthful of Snickerdoodle. “As an individual who suffers from this burdening disease, which in turn has led to my NBD [Netflix Binge Disorder], Insomnia Cookies really needs to think of a more student-sensitive title for the marginalized suffering from this awful condition. A group of us brainstormed alt-names worth exploring, like ‘Strung Out Cookies’ or ‘Woke Cookies,’ just to name a few. I mean, the respectful possibilities are endless.”

The students claim they all realized the name’s offensiveness at the exact same time during their WGS professor’s introductory lecture, and upon group collision, vowed to make this name change happen.

“At one point, the professor asked us to go around the room and share how we’re marginalized here at LSU,” explains Toby. “This pivotal moment led to a group of us, Insomniacs, discussing issues like, you know, not sleeping ever, or not being able to nap through Spanish I… like, ever."

Candice Coots, long-time sufferer of insomnia and one of the many WGS students taking action, says the group's movement really kicked off while brainstorming ways to spread awareness across campus — all agreeing the first step was getting Insomnia Cookies to drop the name.

“Cookies don’t have sleeping disorders. We do,” says Candice, waiting in line for her Deluxe Cookie’wich. “Having insomnia is in no way a treat. You try sleeping for 20 minutes a night, only to be violently awakened by late-night delivery heartburn — and then come and find me," she adds, cramming her entire S’mores cookie into her mouth. "You [Insomnia Cookies] literally belittled our medical condition when you decided to name your restaurant after marginalized individuals who are forced to play The Sims 24/7 while the rest of the world peacefully sleeps."

“It’s 2025. It’s about time LSU wakes up too,” Candice says, before peeling away in the Insomnia delivery car, headed to her first shift of the day.

“Do you even know how many 3 a.m. TikTok dances I’ve created this semester? No, but you really don’t want to know,” Toby adds. He says it’s because of his insomnia that he’s been forced to film every single thing he does in his home and in his life — thus, making him into an influencer.

“It’s just really difficult,” Toby admits between sips of his Cookies ‘N Dream Shake. “Enjoy your f*cking Zzz’s, InSoMnIa Cookies! (Oh, make sure you spell it with the upper-and-lowercase pattern. I want them to know I’m mocking them.)”

Insomnia Cookies, known for delivering late-night snacks to pickled students, has no plans to change their name, stating their cookies are “so good, they have a mind of their own.”