Some Food for Thought on Autistic Pride Day 2024
I'm proud to be autistic and a blue in a sea of reds.
"You wanna hurt me? Go right ahead if it makes you feel any better. I'm an easy target. Yeah, you're right, I talk too much. I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynic like you...but I don't like to hurt people's feelings. Well, you think what you want about me; I'm not changing. I like...I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. 'Cause I'm the real article. What you see is what you get." - Del Griffith, Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Today is Autistic Pride Day, which is an annual global celebration for those of us on the spectrum to feel pride in our neurodiversity and uniqueness. Unfortunately, disappointing daily reminders persist that our society hasn't come as far as we had hoped it would by A.D. 2024. Just the other day, I overheard an argument between a pair of little girls, approximately 8-years-old, while I was shopping at Dollar Tree. The girls were running through the aisles of the store, until one of them nearly collided with an adult shopper. This led to the following "apology" to the shopper, and exchange between the girls: "I'm sorry, but you'll have to excuse my friend here. She's autistic.", "I'm not autistic! You're autistic!", "No, you're autistic!", "No, you are!", "No, you!", and so on. Hearing these two youngsters use "autistic" as an insult towards each other made me roll my eyes and shake my head.
This experience wasn't a one-off isolated incident, either. I frequently hear "autism" used in this demeaning manner, and children certainly aren't the only ones guilty of adopting such terminology into their everyday vernacular. Sadly, the widespread bad habit of using disparaging remarks about marginalized groups is nothing new. People of all ages often spout out expressions like, "That's so retarded!", or "You're so gay!", casually and without so much as a second thought. I've lost count of the number of times I've heard "autism", "autistic", "Asperger's", "ass burgers", "retard", "retarded", "short bus", "special ed", "special needs", "Special Olympics", etc. casually used by others in their idle chit chat. Honestly, I doubt most of these people are even aware they're using slurs in their everyday lingo. It reminds me of a scene in Shanghai Noon, in which Owen Wilson's character is genuinely confused as to why his constant usage of the words "Chinaman" and "Chinamen" are so upsetting towards Jackie Chan's character. Ignorance is only bliss to the ignorant; not the marginalized.
For the record, I'm not out to censor, shame, or guilt trip all the people who choose to use these expressions. I believe in free will and its associated responsibility. It's not my duty to confront or correct every single person out there who uses such slurs. If somebody's ignorance is showing, that's their problem. I genuinely don't care what others think of me, my quirks, or my disability. I'm autistic and proud to be on the spectrum. I don't view being a member of such a cool, funky, diverse, and unique community as something shameful, undesirable, or negative, or as a fate worse than death that must be "cured" or avoided like the plague. I 100% agree and identify with the above iconic quote from Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Anyway, I just wanted to provide some food for thought to consider the things you say before you say them. Happy Autistic Pride Day to everyone on the spectrum. I hope you're all doing something fun today. I'll be celebrating at the local aquatic centre tonight, as today is my final swimming lesson (I'll be writing about my level 3 swimming experience next time). Have fun. Be safe. Be proud. Consider the words you speak before you say them. Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Thanks for reading. Until next time, love, peace, and chicken grease.