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Autism Speaks as strawman

Post reblogged from
allies-person:

This is not a defense of Autism Speaks. Not at all.

But I do have to say that Autism Speaks is becoming something of a strawman for neurodiversity activists. Pro-neurodiversity writings rather give the impression that all ableism against autistic people can be traced to them. And that’s just not true. Frankly, if it were, the mission of working towards justice for autistic people would be significantly easier if it was.

When we condemn Autism Speaks in hyberbolic terms, we risk not being taken seriously. There are many legitimate criticisms of the organization. There’s no need to resort to hyperbole and caricature in explaining why it is not an organization that people should support. We need to keep the facts on our side.

When we describe them, it should be in terms of ableism, silencing, fearmongering, condescension toward those they claim to serve, and a eugenic bent. Do not use words like ‘genocide.’
- actuallyautistic
- 45
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7. fromonesurvivortoanother reblogged this from mommy-cuteella and added:
  
  [tw: mention of murderous ableism, suicide] (disclaimer: I am not autistic so I am just generally speaking on this) Some...
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9. mommy-cuteella reblogged this from allies-person and added:
  
  Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005. I’d done most of my survivin’ several years before then. Prejudice against...
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  Given that (to my understanding) the UN only recognizes race, religion, national origin and political opinion as valid...
19. littlemissmutant reblogged this from allies-person and added:
  
  I mean, there’s an aspect of genocide which people often miss, which is that it has the goal/effect of reducing or...
20. fadedgeneration reblogged this from allies-person and added:
  
  ^this this this^
21. allies-person reblogged this from littlemissmutant and added:
  
  Interesting. Given popular connotations about the words, I would prefer to use “eugenics” for actions which target the...
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27. iamthethunder reblogged this from allies-person and added:
  
  When we describe them, it should be in terms of ableism, silencing, fearmongering, condescension toward those they claim...
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  That is a really important point, and this is something I’ve been screwing up.
31. youneedacat reblogged this from allies-person and added:
  
  Also people keep talking about Autism Speaks as originating a lot of things, like the puzzle symbol, that predate them...
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