The term democracy is too often used with little regard of how far from anything democratic people actually are. While it is certainly the noblest ideal, the claim of being closer to the ideal than people actually are can give people a sense of liberty that hasn't been earned.
Liberties that have been stolen rather than earned are not only temporary, but they create a dangerous illusion that becomes more difficult to disguise over time. Those who actually provide liberties for others by the trade of slave labor or the domination achieved by abuse (which in turn actually makes them the slave of their victim) are never a part of any true democracy. Instead they are the ones who create the opportunity for the elite to delude themselves by falsely claiming that they somehow earned their freedom and the laws they enjoy were democratically achieved.
The good news is that sometimes when someone is politically, financially, and/or otherwise socially oppressed, they may have the opportunity to express their thoughts, which can in turn change minds. The opportunity to change minds is a powerful liberator. It should never be underestimated.
Unfortunately, the power to negatively label a person is a powerful tool of oppression. Some common oppressive labels are incompetence, insanity, or the deficit that causes people to not behave "properly". Of course an equal method of exclusion is to demand unreasonable standards of inclusion, which is often disguised as "the assumption of competence". Extreme labels of capable and incapable supports and maintains the already oppressive standards.
The identification of autistics can and should provide opportunities for liberation. Given the history of how this population has been treated, our liberation will of course be met with resistance. It is, however, very important to remember that this resistance is filled with very old and very impractical aspirations.
Autistics have not only been institutionalized, drugged, beaten, sexually molested, and unduly punished, but they have been killed for not meeting standard societal expectations. We are accused of being a burden on our families and a burden on society. This is not simply a historical account but this describes what is happening today.
Watch and listen here to how autistics are being described by "autism authorities" who claim to be "aiding us" with our relationships. Look here at the extreme and dangerous methods people are now using with the goal of teaching socially accepted behavior. Look here at the people who are creating the biggest political stir over the future of autistics and consider how afraid they are of having autistics involved with their organization.
Left to their own oppressive devices, these people will continue to become more indebted to those who are hurt by their actions (the autistics they claim to serve). I believe they should be relieved of this debt by ensuring a better and more liberated future for the autistic population.
