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Autistic people are among the most discriminated against in our society. What makes us vulnerable to these exclusionary practices are set of standards, which were set to provide the illusion of superiority for small group of elite.
These elites have designed a number of theories (including those which are said to be " scientifically proven") in a scholastic environment where most people are prevented from participating. People with sensory experiences (and responses to them) that do not fit within typical standards are inconvenient to people who depend on the myth that they are entitled to be privileged due to "divinely awarded inherent genetic traits" which they've used to dominate and/or destroy those who are different.
Often many people can't hear an idea due to those who are arguing for the sake of dominance based on the myth/illusion that an idea can be owned. To respect ideas (and the principals which support them) each must be accepted for being independent of personalities and political agendas, which distort their meaning.
Often for opinions to be recognized as valid, they must be presented within particular scholastic environments and by recognized scholars or their family members. This is what predominantly influences all political processes. This elite group of scholars has even gone so far as to create test, which claim to be able to measure a person's intelligence based on their ability to answer questions which most people don't have access for learning.
Throughout history the worst mistake discriminated against populations of people have made in order to promote social acceptance and a more balanced system of justice is following the rules which have been presented to them by their oppressor. The policymakers protect their deceit and exclusion by suggesting methods of liberation and inclusion. They use this to prevent others from attaining what they seek.
"The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House"- Audre Lorde
People have always been aware of autistic people and the characteristics which are unique to autism. To encourage awareness for the awareness sake is to promote more of the same type of discrimination, which has always existed. Rather than encourage rights for autistic people Autism Awareness campaigns (which are titled as such) often simply sell those rights to the highest political bidder.
Despite the attempts at claiming that the people's will is what influences political decisions it is instead the opposite. Politics is an exercise in defeating democracy rather than promoting it. We are taught that we must compromise within the system (in other words, become involved in politics) in order to change policy yet such participation threatens individualism, and the creativity needed to discern the problems within the system. This ultimately discourages anyone other than those who are already empowered to influence their destiny.
It's very important that the medical model of autism designed by opportunist as charlatans be understood by people involved in the lives of autistics. However, now there is little recognition of what may be required in order to and re-educate the public of ways we (the autistic population) might be included and treated with more respect.
Today, November 1st, has been declared Autistics Speaking Day. This may have been a day when individual ideas from autistics could be better understood as an alternative to the voice of typical main steam autism politics. Instead a political group formed and was blessed with being described as that opposition so that their compromising political agenda can replace anything too radical. This type of elitism which threatens democracy for a marginalized group is nothing new.
Before people can recognize how narrow the agenda is for the mainstream autism political campaigns, they will need to understand the nature of liberation and how traditional politics is both oppressive and exclusive. Nothing is a bigger threat to democracy than the claim that already exists. Autistics don't yet have much of a voice in the designing of public policy, which discriminates against us. In order to promote that we need to encourage neurodiversity rather than confine the understanding of such an important term to the narrow agenda of a political movement.
The acceptance of different ideas and creative and individual expressions of more autistic people will be the best influence on the needed changes rather the sound volume (loudness) of a few content with convention and compromise.
As you're aware, you are still on the list of participants for Autistics Speaking Day, because I refused to delete you over a disagreement between us and you did not tell me that you wanted your name removed. I was checking the original list of people who wanted to participate for any posts that I missed, I'm only writing here to ask if it is okay if I share this along with the other blog posts I've been sharing all day. If you don't respond I'll assume no, and I won't bother you again. I just didn't want to assume either way
Posted by: Kat Bjornstad | November 01, 2010 at 11:22 PM
Your comment is misleading. I'm aware of no such thing. I was not involved in a disagreement with you or anyone. You continue to make assumptions followed by attacks. I am not concerned about what you do with a link to my blog post. Claiming that I have these choices or have had them is false.
Posted by: Ed | November 01, 2010 at 11:47 PM
I'm confused as to where I attacked you there, but I told you when we had the argument that you were still welcome to participate.
Posted by: Kat Bjornstad | November 01, 2010 at 11:56 PM
Kat, You are welcome to use my blog post as one that is participating in the Autistics Speaking Day event. Thank you for including my post in this event. :)
Posted by: Ed | November 02, 2010 at 12:14 AM
I'm glad to have access to your thinking through this blog. It nourishes my thinking about neurological hegemony, a subject I've been working on for many years but haven't started to compose into a book. When an organization of chapters comes to mind, I'll be able to get going. Your work generates lots of crystal clear insights. for which I am very grateful.
Posted by: Jean Kearns Miller | November 03, 2010 at 12:04 PM