They're everywhere. But they don't need to be. It's actually probably illegal for them to be as many places as they are.
Yeah, I get that I can't go clubbing. I don't care that I can't go clubbing, particularly. But I do care that walking through downtown is fraught with hazards. Not just being chased down the street by aggressive panhandlers (true story) or someone taking a stoplight as a suggestion or thinking they've got right of way on a right turn because they're bigger (that happens too), but 10 Hz lights.
Everywhere.
They're on emergency vehicles, which I don't really get. You're going to create another emergency on the way to your already existing one, buds. There are other flash frequencies if you just can't give that up, I promise! There are whole STUDIES on what's least likely to trigger seizures in epileptic people. Since police officers are reluctant to, oh, read medical IDs, really, it's in their best interest to just stop triggering seizures already. And paramedics? It's damned irresponsible of you to leave so much havoc in your wakes. You should know better.
They're the way of alerting pedestrians (you know, people who don't drive? In this great state, incidentally, Thou Shalt Be Seizure Free for at least a year to drive legally) that someone is pulling out of a parking garage. Someone who feels they have right of way because their SUV outweighs you by a couple tons. Yep! Mid aura I am TOTALLY paying attention to that strobe light. I'm looking for the fastest way past it, which is a straight line. Past the SUV. And I *get* an aura.
Bikers, you aren't superior either. Your headlight? 10 Hz. I don't really care that your bike is greener than a bus. Your headlamp makes me want to call you horrible nasty things, assuming I can summon the language. Why does it need to flicker at all? Is there a reason for that? A sizeable portion of my first million, and hipster/socially aware bragging rights, to the first person to make a neurologically friendly lamp. I'm sick of having this conversation IRL, and sick of justifying to near total strangers "you're in good shape. Why don't you do the commute by bike thing?". "well, you see, ending up a mangled mess because I lost awareness of my surroundings because of my own headlamp isn't how I want to be remembered". "you'd be fine". "no. I wouldn't. And you don't matter enough to me for a demonstration".
And then, in the most ill conceived idea in the history of ill conceived ideas...and there have been a lot...some either extremely ignorant or extremely hateful jackass decided that the ideal thing to put on a fire alarm is a FUCKING STROBE LIGHT. Not a red light. Not something changing colors. A fucking EEG grade strobe light. Yes, a visual something is needed to be accessible to the Deaf. That doesn't mean that folks with epilepsy need to die of smoke inhalation/status epilepticus/wandering straight into flames because of the direct effects of a supposed safety device. Fuck that with the business end of a rake. It's not acceptable.
Now go point this out to an 'enlightened' person. I live in a liberal city. There are a lot of them. "But you don't, you know, have a DISABILITY". 'Scuse me? Pretty sure that's not your call, sweetcakes, and if all these things are barriers--and they are dangerous barriers--that's textbook social model (not to mention all the medical crap with epilepsy). Then there's all the crap about if it's that bad, don't go places, or THOSE places, or don't go there alone.
Yeah. No. This is what accessibility means. There's no reason I shouldn't be able to walk down my street, or from place to place downtown, alone. The flashing lights all over are the barrier. They're not even a difficult barrier to change, if people get past "that's the way it is"ness. I'm not asking to go to a dance club safely. I want to know that walking through public areas of my city isn't going to send me home dazed, confused, headachey, crabby, and postictal.
That should be a right. It should go without saying. Is it really that much to ask?
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
You aren't autism. We are. Shut up and listen.
**Profanity ahead. It's well earned,**
I saw the new Autism Speaks video shortly after finding out they've got a fundraiser in my stay-weird-pride-and-hippies-and-nonconformity city. And all I have to say to that is:
Autism Speaks, shut the fuck up and get the fuck out. There are a number of bridges here. You like driving off bridges, right? Go pick one but leave us the hell alone. And do the right thing, the responsible thing, and leave your children with a responsible adult (you are neither of these things, either as individuals or a collective) while you do so.
The vast majority of the autistic community utterly LOATHES you, Autism Speaks. Why? Because you purport to speak for us. YOU DON'T. You don't speak for your children either. You speak with the voice of spoilt parents who don't want children, but puppets. You are SPOILED.
Now, there is NO acceptable, none whatsoever, NO acceptable justification for anything in that video. "Faster than cancer and AIDS", REALLY? REALLY? I'm in my mid 20s and haven't died yet. What the hell? Oh wait. Autism doesn't kill you. This is profoundly disrespectful to people with fatal diseases. STOP DOING IT. It's also disrespectful to autistic people. Haven't you heard? We are people. Yep, that child who embarrasses you oh so much (oh poor you. Be a grownup and get over it) is in fact their very own person, and spreading that kind of hate is disrespectful.
No one kidnapped us. We are not the destroyer of hopes and dreams-as awesome as Kassiane, Destroyer of Dreams sounds, that's not how it is. Children do not exist to live your dreams. We have our own dreams. Time to get over the myth of the perfect child--everyone has to, not just the parents of autistic children--and learn to accept that your children are their own people. Time to let them dream their own dreams instead of wanking for DECADES on the fact that they aren't the child you wanted. It's disgusting. It's juvenile. It is narcissistic and it is tired. Your adolescence is over.
Shut the fuck up and go away. Let AUTISTICS speak. Stop trying to rob us of the communication which we fight so hard for. You don't speak for us. You don't fight for us. You fight against us, with lies, hate, bigotry, and your own self centered lack of empathy. I feel for your children, but not because they're autistic. Because they have to live with such monsters for parents. Monsters who fight the very core of their childrens' beings, demonize them to everyone, just to make it all about mommy. Screw that.
I saw the new Autism Speaks video shortly after finding out they've got a fundraiser in my stay-weird-pride-and-hippies-and-nonconformity city. And all I have to say to that is:
Autism Speaks, shut the fuck up and get the fuck out. There are a number of bridges here. You like driving off bridges, right? Go pick one but leave us the hell alone. And do the right thing, the responsible thing, and leave your children with a responsible adult (you are neither of these things, either as individuals or a collective) while you do so.
The vast majority of the autistic community utterly LOATHES you, Autism Speaks. Why? Because you purport to speak for us. YOU DON'T. You don't speak for your children either. You speak with the voice of spoilt parents who don't want children, but puppets. You are SPOILED.
Now, there is NO acceptable, none whatsoever, NO acceptable justification for anything in that video. "Faster than cancer and AIDS", REALLY? REALLY? I'm in my mid 20s and haven't died yet. What the hell? Oh wait. Autism doesn't kill you. This is profoundly disrespectful to people with fatal diseases. STOP DOING IT. It's also disrespectful to autistic people. Haven't you heard? We are people. Yep, that child who embarrasses you oh so much (oh poor you. Be a grownup and get over it) is in fact their very own person, and spreading that kind of hate is disrespectful.
No one kidnapped us. We are not the destroyer of hopes and dreams-as awesome as Kassiane, Destroyer of Dreams sounds, that's not how it is. Children do not exist to live your dreams. We have our own dreams. Time to get over the myth of the perfect child--everyone has to, not just the parents of autistic children--and learn to accept that your children are their own people. Time to let them dream their own dreams instead of wanking for DECADES on the fact that they aren't the child you wanted. It's disgusting. It's juvenile. It is narcissistic and it is tired. Your adolescence is over.
Shut the fuck up and go away. Let AUTISTICS speak. Stop trying to rob us of the communication which we fight so hard for. You don't speak for us. You don't fight for us. You fight against us, with lies, hate, bigotry, and your own self centered lack of empathy. I feel for your children, but not because they're autistic. Because they have to live with such monsters for parents. Monsters who fight the very core of their childrens' beings, demonize them to everyone, just to make it all about mommy. Screw that.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wow. Best. Post. Ever. And some other stuff.
This post from Asperger Square 8 is pretty much one of the most important posts ever. Read it. Now.
Are you back now? Ok. Because the reactions people have to it seem pretty distinct. Autistic people I know have reacted with recognition, and if they see it like I do, think it's pretty fucking sweet that people are putting it in words and pointing it out. I'm about at the point of wanting to print this shit out, make copies, and leave it at all the whiney-autie-mommy groups around my city. It's that powerful. It spells out the power dynamics that concretely, that clearly. In spite of all the crappy things it says, reading that made me jump up and down saying "yes! Yes! YES!" because it's not something wrong with me. It's an actual societal imbalance, an imbalance that we can theoretically fix.
So being all excited and breaking the autism stereotype, I sought-to-share-enjoyment. I sent the link, uh, everywhere. Twitter, facebook, and to a good friend of mine. Said good friend of mine is NT. Said good friend of mine did not react as expected. I found the whole document really exciting. He found it depressing and unbelievable. This isn't someone who's a thorough moron. This is someone who's extremely social issues aware, asking me if it's really like that. Yes, it's really like that. These are the things we have to take into account every day. It's not something you'll ever read about in the professional literature on autism, or see in the documentaries, not until we're the ones writing it. And that won't be a long time, because of NT privilege. That reaction, though, the depressed-disbelief-"I-had-no-idea-oh-my-god-really?"-horror thing, it took me very much off guard.
Seriously. Go read it. Spread it far and wide. It's thought provoking stuff.
Are you back now? Ok. Because the reactions people have to it seem pretty distinct. Autistic people I know have reacted with recognition, and if they see it like I do, think it's pretty fucking sweet that people are putting it in words and pointing it out. I'm about at the point of wanting to print this shit out, make copies, and leave it at all the whiney-autie-mommy groups around my city. It's that powerful. It spells out the power dynamics that concretely, that clearly. In spite of all the crappy things it says, reading that made me jump up and down saying "yes! Yes! YES!" because it's not something wrong with me. It's an actual societal imbalance, an imbalance that we can theoretically fix.
So being all excited and breaking the autism stereotype, I sought-to-share-enjoyment. I sent the link, uh, everywhere. Twitter, facebook, and to a good friend of mine. Said good friend of mine is NT. Said good friend of mine did not react as expected. I found the whole document really exciting. He found it depressing and unbelievable. This isn't someone who's a thorough moron. This is someone who's extremely social issues aware, asking me if it's really like that. Yes, it's really like that. These are the things we have to take into account every day. It's not something you'll ever read about in the professional literature on autism, or see in the documentaries, not until we're the ones writing it. And that won't be a long time, because of NT privilege. That reaction, though, the depressed-disbelief-"I-had-no-idea-oh-my-god-really?"-horror thing, it took me very much off guard.
Seriously. Go read it. Spread it far and wide. It's thought provoking stuff.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Latest Mercury Malicia Target: Ari Ne'eman, ASAN president.
In an act of true and desperate crazy, the Mercury Malicia have truly outdone themselves.
Not to be content with threatening doctors and their children, libeling them, and calling them extraordinarily derogatory names behind their computers, they've moved on to an ultimate act of BATSHIT INSANE: "Let's get Newsweek to assassinate Ari Ne'eman!"
What. The. Fuck.
People. Get the hell off my planet if you think this is ok. Now. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. AoA, this isn't acceptable. You know that you're associated with John Best, and either he knows he is so far in the wrong he has gone to plaid, or he needs professional help about 10 years ago.
I don't give a flying FUCK what you think about neurodiversity. This is wrong. Jake Crosby--if you're defending this, know when you speak up, they know where you live. They're not above threats and have proven it before.
Any ideology that can move someone so far to hate as to threaten a young man for advocating for himself and for others like him so they can have better lives is, frankly, terrifying. The cult of AoA is an internet-religion of hate, disgust, and loathing.
I mean, not only is there some internet law that says "the first side to degenerate to death threats loses" because it indicates a lack of strength of evidence, but there's also the whole lack of ethics thing. The lack of legality thing. The WHAT THE BLAZING FUCK, YOU DO NOT THREATEN TO KILL SOMEONE OVER DISAGREEING WITH YOU factor. I mean, if you wanted to make people who were utterly uninvolved, or even sympathetic to your hysteria mongering, run SCREAMING from you, acting like psychopaths is the way to do it.
I don't care what side you're on. Anyone with any sense of ethics can see this is unacceptable behavior (and furthermore, exactly the kind of thing we want to avoid if that's what neurotypicality causes. No thanks. I'll stay me. I'm above death threats).
ND activists, do not return their fire. You all know that. Many of us are socially impaired, but we're BETTER than that.
Ari, we're behind you.
Not to be content with threatening doctors and their children, libeling them, and calling them extraordinarily derogatory names behind their computers, they've moved on to an ultimate act of BATSHIT INSANE: "Let's get Newsweek to assassinate Ari Ne'eman!"
What. The. Fuck.
People. Get the hell off my planet if you think this is ok. Now. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. AoA, this isn't acceptable. You know that you're associated with John Best, and either he knows he is so far in the wrong he has gone to plaid, or he needs professional help about 10 years ago.
I don't give a flying FUCK what you think about neurodiversity. This is wrong. Jake Crosby--if you're defending this, know when you speak up, they know where you live. They're not above threats and have proven it before.
Any ideology that can move someone so far to hate as to threaten a young man for advocating for himself and for others like him so they can have better lives is, frankly, terrifying. The cult of AoA is an internet-religion of hate, disgust, and loathing.
I mean, not only is there some internet law that says "the first side to degenerate to death threats loses" because it indicates a lack of strength of evidence, but there's also the whole lack of ethics thing. The lack of legality thing. The WHAT THE BLAZING FUCK, YOU DO NOT THREATEN TO KILL SOMEONE OVER DISAGREEING WITH YOU factor. I mean, if you wanted to make people who were utterly uninvolved, or even sympathetic to your hysteria mongering, run SCREAMING from you, acting like psychopaths is the way to do it.
I don't care what side you're on. Anyone with any sense of ethics can see this is unacceptable behavior (and furthermore, exactly the kind of thing we want to avoid if that's what neurotypicality causes. No thanks. I'll stay me. I'm above death threats).
ND activists, do not return their fire. You all know that. Many of us are socially impaired, but we're BETTER than that.
Ari, we're behind you.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Our protests may be symbolic, but they will reach someone nonetheless
Been away from the blog for a while. Life happens.
But this is important.
As most of you know, Lindt partnered with Autism Weeps to fund eradicating autism. They're having an unsung heroes of autism contest thing, in which they are taking essays nominating "unsung heroes who've made personal sacrifices in the name of fighting autism".
Well screw the whole fighting autism thing. But we should--no, in the name of Nothing About Us Without Us, MUST--nominate our own, nominate autistic advocates who've fought the bigotry that they're spreading, autistic advocates who fight the systemic impossibility, autistic advocates who speak against the injustices daily. Will they be filed in the circular file for offending them? Probably. Will someone have to read them first, possibly someone who will see that there are real people who their actions aren't just offending, but are actively hurting? I'm idealistic enough to hope so.
ABFH has the details and a better explanation. The nomination page is here.
As many people think in symbols, a symbolic act can be a pretty big deal. Make them think.
But this is important.
As most of you know, Lindt partnered with Autism Weeps to fund eradicating autism. They're having an unsung heroes of autism contest thing, in which they are taking essays nominating "unsung heroes who've made personal sacrifices in the name of fighting autism".
Well screw the whole fighting autism thing. But we should--no, in the name of Nothing About Us Without Us, MUST--nominate our own, nominate autistic advocates who've fought the bigotry that they're spreading, autistic advocates who fight the systemic impossibility, autistic advocates who speak against the injustices daily. Will they be filed in the circular file for offending them? Probably. Will someone have to read them first, possibly someone who will see that there are real people who their actions aren't just offending, but are actively hurting? I'm idealistic enough to hope so.
ABFH has the details and a better explanation. The nomination page is here.
As many people think in symbols, a symbolic act can be a pretty big deal. Make them think.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Survey: Adult Autistics In New Jersey Being Heard
And it's about time.
The link is here.
Take it. Take it even if you don't live in New Jersey, especially if you're autistic. They need to hear from us. After all, they're talking about us.
The link is here.
Take it. Take it even if you don't live in New Jersey, especially if you're autistic. They need to hear from us. After all, they're talking about us.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Dear Michael John Carley, the Enemy of the Enemy is NOT my Friend
An email from Michael John Carley of GRASP went out about a week back, asking recipients of said email to thank Autism Speaks for not pursuing the vaccine angle.
And to you I say, No. I will not.
I do not owe Autism Speaks a single thanks.
I do not owe Autism Speaks anything.
I certainly do not owe Autism Speaks thanks for following their own previously stated agenda, which is pursuing genetic research for a prenatal test. I do not owe them a thank you for continuing to wipe people like me out, before we ever are born. Their aims are directly counter to my aims, and while Autism Speaks and I both think the vaccine issue is an old, dead, beaten to unrecognizable horse that's a colossal waste of money, Autism Speaks does not deserve my thanks for agreeing with me.
When Autism Speaks listens to me, then I will consider thanking them-if they do something that deserves it.
When Autism Speaks treats autistics as human beings, instead of as sacks of parental inconvenience, I will consider thanking them-if they do something that deserves it.
When Autism Speaks actually does what they advertise themselves as doing and speaks WITH us, the autistic community, rather than trying to drown out and silence autistic voices, then I will consider thanking them-if they do something that deserves it.
When Autism Speaks apologizes personally and publicly to every child who they traumatized in the making of their awful propaganda piece, then I will consider thanking them-if they do something that deserves it.
Until that point, Autism Speaks is as much my enemy as the mercury malicia. The enemy of my enemy is NOT my friend. Autism Speaks doesn't deserve my thanks, and Autism Speaks does not and in all likelihood never WILL speak for me.
Related, from Wrong Planet and ABFH
And to you I say, No. I will not.
I do not owe Autism Speaks a single thanks.
I do not owe Autism Speaks anything.
I certainly do not owe Autism Speaks thanks for following their own previously stated agenda, which is pursuing genetic research for a prenatal test. I do not owe them a thank you for continuing to wipe people like me out, before we ever are born. Their aims are directly counter to my aims, and while Autism Speaks and I both think the vaccine issue is an old, dead, beaten to unrecognizable horse that's a colossal waste of money, Autism Speaks does not deserve my thanks for agreeing with me.
When Autism Speaks listens to me, then I will consider thanking them-if they do something that deserves it.
When Autism Speaks treats autistics as human beings, instead of as sacks of parental inconvenience, I will consider thanking them-if they do something that deserves it.
When Autism Speaks actually does what they advertise themselves as doing and speaks WITH us, the autistic community, rather than trying to drown out and silence autistic voices, then I will consider thanking them-if they do something that deserves it.
When Autism Speaks apologizes personally and publicly to every child who they traumatized in the making of their awful propaganda piece, then I will consider thanking them-if they do something that deserves it.
Until that point, Autism Speaks is as much my enemy as the mercury malicia. The enemy of my enemy is NOT my friend. Autism Speaks doesn't deserve my thanks, and Autism Speaks does not and in all likelihood never WILL speak for me.
Related, from Wrong Planet and ABFH
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