Re: Autism Speaks Crosses the Line

[Guest guest]

Very well said, ... and for those who haven't seen them, here are some links to further information about why we despise Autism Speaks:http://www.notautismspeaks.tk

Why Autistic People Hate " Autism Speaks "

Why " Autism Speaks " Should Give Autistics a Voice

" Autism Speaks " Doesn't Speak for Me

" Autism Speaks " Poisonous IdeasWhy " Autism Speaks " Doesn't Speak for Me

 

I almost entitled this message, " The Most Offensive Thing I've Ever Seen " . While that would be accurate (and one of the previous contenders was a brochure for an amusement park called Stalin World), it doesn't really tell you much about the contents of the message.

 

For those of you who don't know, Autism Speaks is pretty much hated by autistic people. Before yesterday, I wouldn't have gone so far as to call it a genocidal hate-group (others haven't been so kind), but they certainly don't speak on our behalf... or even in our interests. Their website flat-out states that their goal is a world without us in it, something which pretty much sums up our opinion of them.

 

Their latest video project, however, crossed a line. As my first paragraph implies, it is easily the most offensive thing I have ever seen.

 

For those of you unfamiliar with the project in question, it's kicking up a bit of a storm in the blogosphere. While its URL at YouTube is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDdcDlQVYtM , I prefer to link to the various blogs hosting commentary along with an embedded player (e.g. http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/?p=3214 , which also includes Suzanne 's original appeal to parents for help; c.f. below).

 

This is especially offensive as Suzanne originally appealed to parents for help making the video in question (the appeal can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyBruPyf9rE )... then used the footage to dehumanize and stigmatize the children of the parents who responded.

 

One parent's reaction -- and commentary -- can be found at http://club166.blogspot.com/2009/09/when-will-they-listen.html . I chose this one because it's already sparked a degree of commentary from other parents, meaning that there's a discussion going on.

 

In any case, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Virginia branch (whose head is the person who first brought this video to the attention of the autistic community) has posted the following commentary. I am copying it to this list with their permission (a response from the organization as a whole should be expected soon, but the video just came out yesterday).

 

To quote:

 

Reminiscent of the failed Ransom Notes campaign, the latest video in the Autism Speaks arsenal uses a disembodied “voice of autism” that uses threat tactics, aimed at parents of autistic children.

“Voice” of autism: The “voice” speaks in a creepy, gloating, clipped tone, accompanied by the type of music reserved for scary movie scenes, saying repeatedly “I will” do (something particularly nasty) to “you,” the parent of a child on the autism spectrum. The litany of threats listed by the “voice” give an air of criminality to “autism.” Some of the threats include robbery, pain, and “relishing desperation.” “You ignored me… and that was a mistake,” threatens the voice.

“I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong.” “I know no morality.” How dare Autism Speaks say that we have no interest in right or wrong? Yes, I know the creators of this video would say “It is autism that is speaking, not autistic people.” Think again: You cannot separate autism from the autistic individual; you impute immorality to us by pretending to speak “our” language. It’s offensive and it is damaging to us.

“Voices” of parents: The second half of the film is the “voices” of parents and others who are “fighting back.” A list of people who will fight against “autism” follows. “Parents, grandparents, schoolteachers, pediatricians, friends”, etc. Everyone but anyone on the spectrum.

“We speak the only language that matters,” the voices of the “autism community” assert. The “community” envisioned here is a monolithic community of fighters-against-autism and not the real-life community of parents (including autistic parents), families, and communities, many of whom are disgusted by Autism Speaks’ dehumanizing tactics.

The voices of real autistic people, and of families who do not subscribe to the personification of autism, and therefore their family members, as something sinister and criminal, clearly do not matter to Autism Speaks.

United Nations: Near the end of this section we hear repeated by many voices: “We are the United Nations.” It’s pretty clear that Autism Speaks is trying to gain a foothold in creeping out people in other countries.

The United Nations, by showing this film, violates its own principles in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

“As a change of perceptions is essential to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, ratifying countries are to combat stereotypes and prejudices and promote awareness of the capabilities of persons with disabilities (Article 8).”

Finally, a voice of a parent/autism community member asks: “Autism, are you listening?”

Yes we autistics and our families and friends are. We are listening to myths, negative stereotypes, the co-opting of our very real and human voices, being made, ironically enough, to say things that we would not say, threaten people in ways that we would not threaten them, and participate in our own stigmatization. And we will not rest until this sort of Ransom Notes-esque “autism awareness” campaign is thoroughly discredited.

-- Cheezemaspieperspective.blogspot.com

-- Lydia www.rainbow-websites.com<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word. "

~Ron <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom.info<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designs

http://www.cafepress.com/autismrules<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. "

~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

and have ya seen the latest of one employee that makes over $600,000 and year is that where all your hard time and money of walks go too...pretty sad...keep the funds for our families the ones who really need it the most and lessen the waiting list for services...FAMILIES FIRST!!!

Thank you, Ellen Blackburn

www.thepuzzleplace.com

I almost entitled this message, "The Most Offensive Thing I've Ever Seen". While that would be accurate (and one of the previous contenders was a brochure for an amusement park called Stalin World), it doesn't really tell you much about the contents of the message.

For those of you who don't know, Autism Speaks is pretty much hated by autistic people. Before yesterday, I wouldn't have gone so far as to call it a genocidal hate-group (others haven't been so kind), but they certainly don't speak on our behalf... or even in our interests. Their website flat-out states that their goal is a world without us in it, something which pretty much sums up our opinion of them.

Their latest video project, however, crossed a line. As my first paragraph implies, it is easily the most offensive thing I have ever seen.

For those of you unfamiliar with the project in question, it's kicking up a bit of a storm in the blogosphere. While its URL at YouTube is http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=HDdcDlQVYtM , I prefer to link to the various blogs hosting commentary along with an embedded player (e.g. http://leftbrainrig htbrain.co. uk/?p=3214 , which also includes Suzanne 's original appeal to parents for help; c.f. below).

This is especially offensive as Suzanne originally appealed to parents for help making the video in question (the appeal can be found at http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=LyBruPyf9rE )... then used the footage to dehumanize and stigmatize the children of the parents who responded.

One parent's reaction -- and commentary -- can be found at http://club166. blogspot. com/2009/ 09/when-will- they-listen. html . I chose this one because it's already sparked a degree of commentary from other parents, meaning that there's a discussion going on.

In any case, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Virginia branch (whose head is the person who first brought this video to the attention of the autistic community) has posted the following commentary. I am copying it to this list with their permission (a response from the organization as a whole should be expected soon, but the video just came out yesterday).

To quote:

Reminiscent of the failed Ransom Notes campaign, the latest video in the Autism Speaks arsenal uses a disembodied “voice of autism†that uses threat tactics, aimed at parents of autistic children.

“Voice†of autism:The “voice†speaks in a creepy, gloating, clipped tone, accompanied by the type of music reserved for scary movie scenes, saying repeatedly “I will†do (something particularly nasty) to “you,†the parent of a child on the autism spectrum. The litany of threats listed by the “voice†give an air of criminality to “autism.†Some of the threats include robbery, pain, and “relishing desperation.†“You ignored me… and that was a mistake,†threatens the voice.

“I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong.†“I know no morality.†How dare Autism Speaks say that we have no interest in right or wrong? Yes, I know the creators of this video would say “It is autism that is speaking, not autistic people.†Think again: You cannot separate autism from the autistic individual; you impute immorality to us by pretending to speak “our†language. It’s offensive and it is damaging to us.

“Voices†of parents: The second half of the film is the “voices†of parents and others who are “fighting back.†A list of people who will fight against “autism†follows. “Parents, grandparents, schoolteachers, pediatricians, friendsâ€, etc. Everyone but anyone on the spectrum.

“We speak the only language that matters,†the voices of the “autism community†assert. The “community†envisioned here is a monolithic community of fighters-against- autism and not the real-life community of parents (including autistic parents), families, and communities, many of whom are disgusted by Autism Speaks’ dehumanizing tactics.

The voices of real autistic people, and of families who do not subscribe to the personification of autism, and therefore their family members, as something sinister and criminal, clearly do not matter to Autism Speaks.

United Nations: Near the end of this section we hear repeated by many voices: “We are the United Nations.†It’s pretty clear that Autism Speaks is trying to gain a foothold in creeping out people in other countries.

The United Nations, by showing this film, violates its own principles in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

“As a change of perceptions is essential to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, ratifying countries are to combat stereotypes and prejudices and promote awareness of the capabilities of persons with disabilities (Article 8).â€

Finally, a voice of a parent/autism community member asks: “Autism, are you listening?â€

Yes we autistics and our families and friends are. We are listening to myths, negative stereotypes, the co-opting of our very real and human voices, being made, ironically enough, to say things that we would not say, threaten people in ways that we would not threaten them, and participate in our own stigmatization. And we will not rest until this sort of Ransom Notes-esque “autism awareness†campaign is thoroughly discredited.-- Cheezemaspieperspective. blogspot. com

-- Lydia www.rainbow- websites. com<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 "Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word."~Ron <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom. info<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designshttp://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3"First

they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

Every year I ask, why are we raising money when none of it stays here? We have families asking everyone for money and giving their own to support this organization. This same organization that has no one on the board with autism and adults with autism hate.

 

and have ya seen the latest of one employee that makes over $600,000 and year is that where all your hard time and money of walks go too...pretty sad...keep the funds for our families the ones who really need it the most and lessen the waiting list for services...FAMILIES FIRST!!!

Thank you, Ellen Blackburn

www.thepuzzleplace.com

 

I almost entitled this message, " The Most Offensive Thing I've Ever Seen " . While that would be accurate (and one of the previous contenders was a brochure for an amusement park called Stalin World), it doesn't really tell you much about the contents of the message.

 

For those of you who don't know, Autism Speaks is pretty much hated by autistic people. Before yesterday, I wouldn't have gone so far as to call it a genocidal hate-group (others haven't been so kind), but they certainly don't speak on our behalf... or even in our interests. Their website flat-out states that their goal is a world without us in it, something which pretty much sums up our opinion of them.

 

Their latest video project, however, crossed a line. As my first paragraph implies, it is easily the most offensive thing I have ever seen.

 

For those of you unfamiliar with the project in question, it's kicking up a bit of a storm in the blogosphere. While its URL at YouTube is http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=HDdcDlQVYtM , I prefer to link to the various blogs hosting commentary along with an embedded player (e.g. http://leftbrainrig htbrain.co. uk/?p=3214 , which also includes Suzanne 's original appeal to parents for help; c.f. below).

 

This is especially offensive as Suzanne originally appealed to parents for help making the video in question (the appeal can be found at http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=LyBruPyf9rE )... then used the footage to dehumanize and stigmatize the children of the parents who responded.

 

One parent's reaction -- and commentary -- can be found at http://club166. blogspot. com/2009/ 09/when-will- they-listen. html . I chose this one because it's already sparked a degree of commentary from other parents, meaning that there's a discussion going on.

 

In any case, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Virginia branch (whose head is the person who first brought this video to the attention of the autistic community) has posted the following commentary. I am copying it to this list with their permission (a response from the organization as a whole should be expected soon, but the video just came out yesterday).

 

To quote:

 

Reminiscent of the failed Ransom Notes campaign, the latest video in the Autism Speaks arsenal uses a disembodied “voice of autism” that uses threat tactics, aimed at parents of autistic children.

“Voice” of autism:The “voice” speaks in a creepy, gloating, clipped tone, accompanied by the type of music reserved for scary movie scenes, saying repeatedly “I will” do (something particularly nasty) to “you,” the parent of a child on the autism spectrum. The litany of threats listed by the “voice” give an air of criminality to “autism.” Some of the threats include robbery, pain, and “relishing desperation.” “You ignored me… and that was a mistake,” threatens the voice.

“I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong.” “I know no morality.” How dare Autism Speaks say that we have no interest in right or wrong? Yes, I know the creators of this video would say “It is autism that is speaking, not autistic people.” Think again: You cannot separate autism from the autistic individual; you impute immorality to us by pretending to speak “our” language. It’s offensive and it is damaging to us.

“Voices” of parents: The second half of the film is the “voices” of parents and others who are “fighting back.” A list of people who will fight against “autism” follows. “Parents, grandparents, schoolteachers, pediatricians, friends”, etc. Everyone but anyone on the spectrum.

“We speak the only language that matters,” the voices of the “autism community” assert. The “community” envisioned here is a monolithic community of fighters-against- autism and not the real-life community of parents (including autistic parents), families, and communities, many of whom are disgusted by Autism Speaks’ dehumanizing tactics.

The voices of real autistic people, and of families who do not subscribe to the personification of autism, and therefore their family members, as something sinister and criminal, clearly do not matter to Autism Speaks.

United Nations: Near the end of this section we hear repeated by many voices: “We are the United Nations.” It’s pretty clear that Autism Speaks is trying to gain a foothold in creeping out people in other countries.

The United Nations, by showing this film, violates its own principles in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

“As a change of perceptions is essential to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, ratifying countries are to combat stereotypes and prejudices and promote awareness of the capabilities of persons with disabilities (Article 8).”

Finally, a voice of a parent/autism community member asks: “Autism, are you listening?”

Yes we autistics and our families and friends are. We are listening to myths, negative stereotypes, the co-opting of our very real and human voices, being made, ironically enough, to say things that we would not say, threaten people in ways that we would not threaten them, and participate in our own stigmatization. And we will not rest until this sort of Ransom Notes-esque “autism awareness” campaign is thoroughly discredited.

-- Cheezemaspieperspective. blogspot. com

-- Lydia www.rainbow- websites. com

<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word. " ~Ron <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3

WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom. info<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designshttp://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s

<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " First

they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. " ~~Mahatma Gandhi

-- AutismOnTheGo.com

[Guest guest]

Well, let's stop that. Let's support our local charities... we can start by listing them in here. Also, ASAN is excellent and always focused upon improving the lives of Autistic people everywhere. And honestly, Ari Ne'eman is an overall advocate for the disabled, period. But the more localized the usage of funds raised, the better, I say.

 

Every year I ask, why are we raising money when none of it stays here? We have families asking everyone for money and giving their own to support this organization. This same organization that has no one on the board with autism and adults with autism hate.

 

and have ya seen the latest of one employee that makes over $600,000 and year is that where all your hard time and money of walks go too...pretty sad...keep the funds for our families the ones who really need it the most and lessen the waiting list for services...FAMILIES FIRST!!!

Thank you, Ellen Blackburn

www.thepuzzleplace.com

 

I almost entitled this message, " The Most Offensive Thing I've Ever Seen " . While that would be accurate (and one of the previous contenders was a brochure for an amusement park called Stalin World), it doesn't really tell you much about the contents of the message.

 

For those of you who don't know, Autism Speaks is pretty much hated by autistic people. Before yesterday, I wouldn't have gone so far as to call it a genocidal hate-group (others haven't been so kind), but they certainly don't speak on our behalf... or even in our interests. Their website flat-out states that their goal is a world without us in it, something which pretty much sums up our opinion of them.

 

Their latest video project, however, crossed a line. As my first paragraph implies, it is easily the most offensive thing I have ever seen.

 

For those of you unfamiliar with the project in question, it's kicking up a bit of a storm in the blogosphere. While its URL at YouTube is http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=HDdcDlQVYtM , I prefer to link to the various blogs hosting commentary along with an embedded player (e.g. http://leftbrainrig htbrain.co. uk/?p=3214 , which also includes Suzanne 's original appeal to parents for help; c.f. below).

 

This is especially offensive as Suzanne originally appealed to parents for help making the video in question (the appeal can be found at http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=LyBruPyf9rE )... then used the footage to dehumanize and stigmatize the children of the parents who responded.

 

One parent's reaction -- and commentary -- can be found at http://club166. blogspot. com/2009/ 09/when-will- they-listen. html . I chose this one because it's already sparked a degree of commentary from other parents, meaning that there's a discussion going on.

 

In any case, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Virginia branch (whose head is the person who first brought this video to the attention of the autistic community) has posted the following commentary. I am copying it to this list with their permission (a response from the organization as a whole should be expected soon, but the video just came out yesterday).

 

To quote:

 

Reminiscent of the failed Ransom Notes campaign, the latest video in the Autism Speaks arsenal uses a disembodied “voice of autism” that uses threat tactics, aimed at parents of autistic children.

“Voice” of autism:The “voice” speaks in a creepy, gloating, clipped tone, accompanied by the type of music reserved for scary movie scenes, saying repeatedly “I will” do (something particularly nasty) to “you,” the parent of a child on the autism spectrum. The litany of threats listed by the “voice” give an air of criminality to “autism.” Some of the threats include robbery, pain, and “relishing desperation.” “You ignored me… and that was a mistake,” threatens the voice.

“I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong.” “I know no morality.” How dare Autism Speaks say that we have no interest in right or wrong? Yes, I know the creators of this video would say “It is autism that is speaking, not autistic people.” Think again: You cannot separate autism from the autistic individual; you impute immorality to us by pretending to speak “our” language. It’s offensive and it is damaging to us.

“Voices” of parents: The second half of the film is the “voices” of parents and others who are “fighting back.” A list of people who will fight against “autism” follows. “Parents, grandparents, schoolteachers, pediatricians, friends”, etc. Everyone but anyone on the spectrum.

“We speak the only language that matters,” the voices of the “autism community” assert. The “community” envisioned here is a monolithic community of fighters-against- autism and not the real-life community of parents (including autistic parents), families, and communities, many of whom are disgusted by Autism Speaks’ dehumanizing tactics.

The voices of real autistic people, and of families who do not subscribe to the personification of autism, and therefore their family members, as something sinister and criminal, clearly do not matter to Autism Speaks.

United Nations: Near the end of this section we hear repeated by many voices: “We are the United Nations.” It’s pretty clear that Autism Speaks is trying to gain a foothold in creeping out people in other countries.

The United Nations, by showing this film, violates its own principles in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

“As a change of perceptions is essential to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, ratifying countries are to combat stereotypes and prejudices and promote awareness of the capabilities of persons with disabilities (Article 8).”

Finally, a voice of a parent/autism community member asks: “Autism, are you listening?”

Yes we autistics and our families and friends are. We are listening to myths, negative stereotypes, the co-opting of our very real and human voices, being made, ironically enough, to say things that we would not say, threaten people in ways that we would not threaten them, and participate in our own stigmatization. And we will not rest until this sort of Ransom Notes-esque “autism awareness” campaign is thoroughly discredited.

-- Cheezemaspieperspective. blogspot. com

-- Lydia www.rainbow- websites. com

<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word. " ~Ron <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3

WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom. info<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designshttp://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s

<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " First

they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. " ~~Mahatma Gandhi

-- AutismOnTheGo.com

-- Lydia www.rainbow-websites.com<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word. "

~Ron <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom.info<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designs

http://www.cafepress.com/autismrules<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. "

~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

It's not so much that the money leaves the state. ly, there's plenty to do on a national level... or even in terms of research (which is often international). If they were just raising local funds for use on a national level -- or even an international one -- without all of their other problems, I wouldn't have a problem with them.

 

The fact that they actively dehumanize us, patronize us to the point of absurdity, try to silence our voices, actively work to create a world without us in it...

 

THAT is why I hate Autism Speaks.

 

-- Cheezem

aspieperspective.blogspot.com

Every year I ask, why are we raising money when none of it stays here? We have families asking everyone for money and giving their own to support this organization. This same organization that has no one on the board with autism and adults with autism hate.

 

and have ya seen the latest of one employee that makes over $600,000 and year is that where all your hard time and money of walks go too...pretty sad...keep the funds for our families the ones who really need it the most and lessen the waiting list for services...FAMILIES FIRST!!!

Thank you, Ellen Blackburn

www.thepuzzleplace.com

 

I almost entitled this message, " The Most Offensive Thing I've Ever Seen " . While that would be accurate (and one of the previous contenders was a brochure for an amusement park called Stalin World), it doesn't really tell you much about the contents of the message.

 

For those of you who don't know, Autism Speaks is pretty much hated by autistic people. Before yesterday, I wouldn't have gone so far as to call it a genocidal hate-group (others haven't been so kind), but they certainly don't speak on our behalf... or even in our interests. Their website flat-out states that their goal is a world without us in it, something which pretty much sums up our opinion of them.

 

Their latest video project, however, crossed a line. As my first paragraph implies, it is easily the most offensive thing I have ever seen.

 

For those of you unfamiliar with the project in question, it's kicking up a bit of a storm in the blogosphere. While its URL at YouTube is http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=HDdcDlQVYtM , I prefer to link to the various blogs hosting commentary along with an embedded player (e.g. http://leftbrainrig htbrain.co. uk/?p=3214 , which also includes Suzanne 's original appeal to parents for help; c.f. below).

 

This is especially offensive as Suzanne originally appealed to parents for help making the video in question (the appeal can be found at http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=LyBruPyf9rE )... then used the footage to dehumanize and stigmatize the children of the parents who responded.

 

One parent's reaction -- and commentary -- can be found at http://club166. blogspot. com/2009/ 09/when-will- they-listen. html . I chose this one because it's already sparked a degree of commentary from other parents, meaning that there's a discussion going on.

 

In any case, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Virginia branch (whose head is the person who first brought this video to the attention of the autistic community) has posted the following commentary. I am copying it to this list with their permission (a response from the organization as a whole should be expected soon, but the video just came out yesterday).

 

To quote:

 

Reminiscent of the failed Ransom Notes campaign, the latest video in the Autism Speaks arsenal uses a disembodied “voice of autism” that uses threat tactics, aimed at parents of autistic children.

“Voice” of autism:The “voice” speaks in a creepy, gloating, clipped tone, accompanied by the type of music reserved for scary movie scenes, saying repeatedly “I will” do (something particularly nasty) to “you,” the parent of a child on the autism spectrum. The litany of threats listed by the “voice” give an air of criminality to “autism.” Some of the threats include robbery, pain, and “relishing desperation.” “You ignored me… and that was a mistake,” threatens the voice.

“I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong.” “I know no morality.” How dare Autism Speaks say that we have no interest in right or wrong? Yes, I know the creators of this video would say “It is autism that is speaking, not autistic people.” Think again: You cannot separate autism from the autistic individual; you impute immorality to us by pretending to speak “our” language. It’s offensive and it is damaging to us.

“Voices” of parents: The second half of the film is the “voices” of parents and others who are “fighting back.” A list of people who will fight against “autism” follows. “Parents, grandparents, schoolteachers, pediatricians, friends”, etc. Everyone but anyone on the spectrum.

“We speak the only language that matters,” the voices of the “autism community” assert. The “community” envisioned here is a monolithic community of fighters-against- autism and not the real-life community of parents (including autistic parents), families, and communities, many of whom are disgusted by Autism Speaks’ dehumanizing tactics.

The voices of real autistic people, and of families who do not subscribe to the personification of autism, and therefore their family members, as something sinister and criminal, clearly do not matter to Autism Speaks.

United Nations: Near the end of this section we hear repeated by many voices: “We are the United Nations.” It’s pretty clear that Autism Speaks is trying to gain a foothold in creeping out people in other countries.

The United Nations, by showing this film, violates its own principles in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

“As a change of perceptions is essential to improve the situation of persons with disabilities, ratifying countries are to combat stereotypes and prejudices and promote awareness of the capabilities of persons with disabilities (Article 8).”

Finally, a voice of a parent/autism community member asks: “Autism, are you listening?”

Yes we autistics and our families and friends are. We are listening to myths, negative stereotypes, the co-opting of our very real and human voices, being made, ironically enough, to say things that we would not say, threaten people in ways that we would not threaten them, and participate in our own stigmatization. And we will not rest until this sort of Ransom Notes-esque “autism awareness” campaign is thoroughly discredited.

-- Cheezemaspieperspective. blogspot. com

-- Lydia www.rainbow- websites. com<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word. "

~Ron <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom. info<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3

Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designshttp://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. "

~~Mahatma Gandhi

-- AutismOnTheGo.com

[Guest guest]

Our money is best spent donating it to CARD and ASA of Broward.

Ida

> >

> >>

> >> I almost entitled this message, " The Most Offensive Thing I've Ever Seen " .

> >> While that would be accurate (and one of the previous contenders was a

> >> brochure for an amusement park called Stalin World), it doesn't really tell

> >> you much about the contents of the message.

> >>

> >> For those of you who don't know, Autism Speaks is pretty much *hated* by

> >> autistic people. Before yesterday, I wouldn't have gone so far as to call

it

> >> a genocidal hate-group (others haven't been so kind), but they *certainly

> >> * don't speak on our behalf... or even in our interests. Their website

> >> flat-out states that their goal is a world without us in it, something

which

> >> pretty much sums up our opinion of them.

> >>

> >> Their latest video project, however, crossed a line. As my first paragraph

> >> implies, it is *easily* the most offensive thing I have ever seen.

> >>

> >> For those of you unfamiliar with the project in question, it's kicking up

> >> a bit of a storm in the blogosphere. While its URL at YouTube is

http://www.youtube.

> >> com/watch? v=HDdcDlQVYtM <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDdcDlQVYtM> , I

> >> prefer to link to the various blogs hosting commentary along with an

> >> embedded player (e.g. http://leftbrainrig htbrain.co.

uk/?p=3214<http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/?p=3214> ,

> >> which also includes Suzanne 's original appeal to parents for help;

> >> c.f. below).

> >>

> >> This is especially offensive as Suzanne originally appealed to *

> >> parents* for help making the video in question (the appeal can be found

> >> at http://www.youtube. com/watch?

v=LyBruPyf9rE<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyBruPyf9rE>)... then used the

footage to dehumanize and stigmatize the children of the

> >> parents who responded.

> >>

> >> One parent's reaction -- and commentary -- can be found at http://club166.

> >> blogspot. com/2009/ 09/when-will- they-listen.

html<http://club166.blogspot.com/2009/09/when-will-they-listen.html> .

> >> I chose this one because it's already sparked a degree of commentary from

> >> *other* parents, meaning that there's a discussion going on.

> >>

> >> In any case, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Virginia branch (whose

> >> head is the person who first brought this video to the attention of the

> >> autistic community) has posted the following commentary. I am copying it to

> >> this list with their permission (a response from the organization as a

whole

> >> should be expected soon, but the video just came out yesterday).

> >>

> >> To quote:

> >>

> >> Reminiscent of the failed Ransom Notes campaign, the latest video in the

> >> Autism Speaks arsenal uses a disembodied " voice of autism " that uses threat

> >> tactics, aimed at parents of autistic children.

> >> * " Voice " of autism:

> >> *The " voice " speaks in a creepy, gloating, clipped tone, accompanied by

> >> the type of music reserved for scary movie scenes, saying repeatedly " I

> >> will " do (something particularly nasty) to " you, " the parent of a child on

> >> the autism spectrum. The litany of threats listed by the " voice " give an

> >> air of criminality to " autism. " Some of the threats include robbery, pain,

> >> and " relishing desperation. " " You ignored me… and that was a mistake, "

> >> threatens the voice.

> >> " I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong. " " I know no morality. "

> >> How dare Autism Speaks say that we have no interest in right or wrong? Yes,

> >> I know the creators of this video would say " It is *autism* that is

> >> speaking, not autistic people. " Think again: You cannot separate autism

from

> >> the autistic individual; you impute immorality to us by pretending to speak

> >> " our " language. It's offensive and it is damaging to us.

> >> * " Voices " of parents:* The second half of the film is the " voices " of

> >> parents and others who are " fighting back. " A list of people who will fight

> >> against " autism " follows. " Parents, grandparents, schoolteachers,

> >> pediatricians, friends " , etc. Everyone but anyone on the spectrum.

> >> " We speak the only language that matters, " the voices of the " autism

> >> community " assert. The " community " envisioned here is a monolithic

community

> >> of fighters-against- autism and not the real-life community of parents

> >> (including autistic parents), families, and communities, many of whom are

> >> disgusted by Autism Speaks' dehumanizing tactics.

> >> The voices of real autistic people, and of families who do not subscribe

> >> to the personification of autism, and therefore their family members, as

> >> something sinister and criminal, clearly do not matter to Autism Speaks.

> >> *United Nations:* Near the end of this section we hear repeated by many

> >> voices: " We are the United Nations. " It's pretty clear that Autism Speaks

is

> >> trying to gain a foothold in creeping out people in other countries.

> >> The United Nations, by showing this film, violates its own principles in

> >> the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

> >> * " As a change of perceptions is essential to improve the situation of

> >> persons with disabilities, ratifying countries are to combat stereotypes

and

> >> prejudices and promote awareness of the capabilities of persons with

> >> disabilities (Article 8). " *

> >> Finally, a voice of a parent/autism community member asks: " Autism, are

> >> you listening? "

> >> Yes we *autistics and our families and friends *are. We are listening to

> >> myths, negative stereotypes, the co-opting of our very real and human

> >> voices, being made, ironically enough, to say things that we would not say,

> >> threaten people in ways that we would not threaten them, and participate in

> >> our own stigmatization. And *we* will not rest until this sort of Ransom

> >> Notes-esque " autism awareness " campaign is thoroughly discredited.

> >>

> >> -- Cheezem

> >> aspieperspective. blogspot. com <http://aspieperspective.blogspot.com/>

> >>

> >

> >

> >

> > --

> > Lydia

> > www.rainbow- websites. com <http://www.rainbow-websites.com/>

> > <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> > " Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few

> > of them understand the simple meaning of the word. "

> > ~Ron

> > <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> > WE CAN DO THIS

> > http://www.nopom. info <http://www.nopom.info/>

> > <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> > Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designs

> > http://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s<http://www.cafepress.com/autismrules>

> > <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

> > " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then

> > you win. "

> > ~~Mahatma Gandhi

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

> --

>

> AutismOnTheGo.com

>

[Guest guest]

Ida,

 

Actually, I'd've said ANI, ASAN, and AutCom before certain recent events. Right now, however, I can't reccommend donating to AutCom (their president recently resigned and her resignation letter was... interesting -- I'm waiting to see how things pan out). I'd also suggest AANE, but they don't operate in this area.

 

Incidentally, the expected ASAN press release came out only a few minutes after I sent my original message. It reads as follows:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAutistic Community Condemns Autism Speaks’ “I am Autism” Campaign“We are the true voices of Autism,” say Autistic adults; Campaign spreads stigma, prejudice and inaccurate information; ASAN vows protest of upcoming Autism Speaks fundraisers

Washington, DC (September 23rd, 2009) - The autism community reacted in horror today to Autism Speaks’ new “I am Autism” campaign, presenting Autistic people as kidnap victims and burdens on their family members and communities.

“I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong. I will plot to rob you of your children and your dreams….And if you’re happily married, I will make sure that your marriage fails. Your money will fall into my hands, and I will bankrupt you for my own self-gain,” says the “I am Autism” video, released yesterday and created by Academy Award-nominated director Alfonso Cuarón and Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer Mann.

“This is the latest in a series of unethical fundraising strategies adopted by Autism Speaks,” said Ari Ne’eman, an adult on the autism spectrum and President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), “This type of fear mongering hurts Autistic people, by raising fear and not contributing in the slightest to accurate understanding of the needs of Autistic adults and children.” ASAN’s Columbus, Ohio chapter has already made arrangements to protest Autism Speaks’ upcoming local fundraising walk and other ASAN chapters will be making similar arrangements shortly, said Ne’eman.

In addition to relying on fear and pity mongering to raise funds, the Autism Speaks video repeats frequently referenced claims of higher than average divorce rates amongst parents of Autistic children. However, a 2008 study conducted by Interactive for Easter Seals in cooperation with the Autism Society of America found divorce rates for parents of Autistic children lower than those for families with no children with disabilities. The video also relies heavily on the idea of rapidly increasing autism rates. Another new study, released the same day as the video, by the British Government’s National Health Service found that autism rates among adults are the same as amongst children, indicating that the popular “epidemic” claim of rapidly increasing autism incidence is likely false.

“This video doesn’t represent me or my child,” said Dana Commandatore, a parent of an Autistic child living in Los Angeles, California. “Whatever the challenges that autism may bring, my son deserves better than being presented as a burden on society. Autism Speaks’ misrepresentation makes my life and the life of my child more difficult.”

“Autism Speaks seems to think that parents' embarrassment at their kids' meltdowns is more important than autistic kids' pain,” writes , an Autistic blogger at the blog Cat in a Dog’s World, “Autistic people deserve better than what Autism Speaks has to offer.”

The new video is reminiscent of the December 2007 NYU Child Study Center “Ransom Notes” campaign, which consisted of faux ransom notes claiming to be from an anthropomorphized disability which had kidnapped a child. Those ads were withdrawn after two and a half weeks, due to widespread outcry from self-advocates, parents and professionals and the condemnation of twenty-two national disability rights organizations, led by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. The Ransom Notes controversy was reported on by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Good Morning America, The Washington Post and other major media outlets. ASAN announced plans to work with the cross-disability community on a similar response to Autism Speaks’ campaign.

“The voices of real autistic people, and of families who do not subscribe to the presentation of their family members as something sinister and criminal, clearly do not matter to Autism Speaks,” said a Durbin-Westby, an adult on the autism spectrum in Virginia, who serves on the board of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. “Our community is furious about Autism Speaks’ continued exploitation and will be taking action.”

Selected initial responses to Autism Speaks’ “I am Autism” campaign from bloggers in the Autism community follow:Club 166 (Parent): http://club166.blogspot.com/2009/09/when-will-they-listen.html

“The above video takes up where the Ransom Campaign ended, and goes on from there. Not content just to dehumanize autistic individuals, the Autism Speaks video goes on to paint a picture of horror using the most vivid imagery it can find-your marriage will fail, you will go broke, you will never be able to function in society at all, etc…

Two years ago the NYU Child Study Center claimed ignorance of the way that autistic (and other disabled individuals) felt. The response at that time was heard throughout the country, even in major national media. I wonder what excuse Autism Speaks can possibly come up with this time.”

and Kowalski (self-advocate): http://turnerandkowalski.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/i-am-autism-speaks/

“I am Autism SpeaksI will steal your voice and make sure you can never speak for yourself.I will steal your parents’ money and spend it on a residence on Park Avenue.I will use demeaning language to degrade, pity and marginalize you.

I have declared war on you.” (Parent): http://daisymayfattypants.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-if-someone-did-this-with-say-downs.html

“This is horrific. I cannot believe that these people thought it was OK to demonize a developmental disorder in this way, behaving as though autism were something separate from the people who have it, like a wart or a blight or a boil that should be burned off or lanced and drained before it infects someone else or destroys your marriage, rather than what it really is, a differential neural construct that is just as much a part of the people who have it as their eye color. Is there any other developmental difference or genetic disorder that could be vilified in this way with an assumption of impunity? Dyslexia? Schizophrenia? Tourette's? Depression? Chromosomal disorders? Doubt it.”

(Self-advocate): http://autisticcats.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-am-autism-embarrassment-trope.html

“Autism Speaks seems to think that parents' embarrassment at their kids' meltdowns is more important than autistic kids' pain. They're wrong in that, and they're also wrong to suggest that donating money to Autism Speaks and trying to find a " cure " is the only way to solve this problem. Because while Autism Speaks-funded scientists play with genes in their laboratories, real autistic people are living our lives and will continue to suffer serious anxiety in many public places. Instead of writing another check to Autism Speaks, I suggest actually trying to figure out why an individual autistic person may be experiencing these difficulties. And taking steps on both a personal and societal level to ensure that public places are more accommodating of autistic people.

Autistic people deserve better than what Autism Speaks has to offer.”

 

-- Cheezem

aspieperspective.blogspot.com

Our money is best spent donating it to CARD and ASA of Broward.Ida

> >> >>> >> I almost entitled this message, " The Most Offensive Thing I've Ever Seen " .> >> While that would be accurate (and one of the previous contenders was a

> >> brochure for an amusement park called Stalin World), it doesn't really tell> >> you much about the contents of the message.> >>> >> For those of you who don't know, Autism Speaks is pretty much *hated* by

> >> autistic people. Before yesterday, I wouldn't have gone so far as to call it> >> a genocidal hate-group (others haven't been so kind), but they *certainly> >> * don't speak on our behalf... or even in our interests. Their website

> >> flat-out states that their goal is a world without us in it, something which> >> pretty much sums up our opinion of them.> >>> >> Their latest video project, however, crossed a line. As my first paragraph

> >> implies, it is *easily* the most offensive thing I have ever seen.> >>> >> For those of you unfamiliar with the project in question, it's kicking up> >> a bit of a storm in the blogosphere. While its URL at YouTube is http://www.youtube.

> >> com/watch? v=HDdcDlQVYtM <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDdcDlQVYtM> , I

> >> prefer to link to the various blogs hosting commentary along with an> >> embedded player (e.g. http://leftbrainrig htbrain.co. uk/?p=3214<http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/?p=3214> ,

> >> which also includes Suzanne 's original appeal to parents for help;> >> c.f. below).> >>> >> This is especially offensive as Suzanne originally appealed to *

> >> parents* for help making the video in question (the appeal can be found> >> at http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=LyBruPyf9rE<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyBruPyf9rE>)... then used the footage to dehumanize and stigmatize the children of the

> >> parents who responded.> >>> >> One parent's reaction -- and commentary -- can be found at http://club166.

> >> blogspot. com/2009/ 09/when-will- they-listen. html<http://club166.blogspot.com/2009/09/when-will-they-listen.html> .

> >> I chose this one because it's already sparked a degree of commentary from> >> *other* parents, meaning that there's a discussion going on.> >>> >> In any case, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Virginia branch (whose

> >> head is the person who first brought this video to the attention of the> >> autistic community) has posted the following commentary. I am copying it to> >> this list with their permission (a response from the organization as a whole

> >> should be expected soon, but the video just came out yesterday).> >>> >> To quote:> >>> >> Reminiscent of the failed Ransom Notes campaign, the latest video in the

> >> Autism Speaks arsenal uses a disembodied " voice of autism " that uses threat> >> tactics, aimed at parents of autistic children.> >>  * " Voice " of autism:> >> *The " voice " speaks in a creepy, gloating, clipped tone, accompanied by

> >> the type of music reserved for scary movie scenes, saying repeatedly " I> >> will " do (something particularly nasty) to " you, " the parent of a child on> >> the autism spectrum. The litany of threats listed by the " voice " give an

> >> air of criminality to " autism. " Some of the threats include robbery, pain,> >> and " relishing desperation. " " You ignored me… and that was a mistake, " > >> threatens the voice.

> >> " I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong. " " I know no morality. " > >> How dare Autism Speaks say that we have no interest in right or wrong? Yes,> >> I know the creators of this video would say " It is *autism* that is

> >> speaking, not autistic people. " Think again: You cannot separate autism from> >> the autistic individual; you impute immorality to us by pretending to speak> >> " our " language. It's offensive and it is damaging to us.

> >> * " Voices " of parents:* The second half of the film is the " voices " of> >> parents and others who are " fighting back. " A list of people who will fight> >> against " autism " follows. " Parents, grandparents, schoolteachers,

> >> pediatricians, friends " , etc. Everyone but anyone on the spectrum.> >> " We speak the only language that matters, " the voices of the " autism> >> community " assert. The " community " envisioned here is a monolithic community

> >> of fighters-against- autism and not the real-life community of parents> >> (including autistic parents), families, and communities, many of whom are> >> disgusted by Autism Speaks' dehumanizing tactics.

> >> The voices of real autistic people, and of families who do not subscribe> >> to the personification of autism, and therefore their family members, as> >> something sinister and criminal, clearly do not matter to Autism Speaks.

> >> *United Nations:* Near the end of this section we hear repeated by many> >> voices: " We are the United Nations. " It's pretty clear that Autism Speaks is> >> trying to gain a foothold in creeping out people in other countries.

> >> The United Nations, by showing this film, violates its own principles in> >> the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:> >> * " As a change of perceptions is essential to improve the situation of

> >> persons with disabilities, ratifying countries are to combat stereotypes and> >> prejudices and promote awareness of the capabilities of persons with> >> disabilities (Article 8). " *

> >> Finally, a voice of a parent/autism community member asks: " Autism, are> >> you listening? " > >> Yes we *autistics and our families and friends *are. We are listening to

> >> myths, negative stereotypes, the co-opting of our very real and human> >> voices, being made, ironically enough, to say things that we would not say,> >> threaten people in ways that we would not threaten them, and participate in

> >> our own stigmatization. And *we* will not rest until this sort of Ransom> >> Notes-esque " autism awareness " campaign is thoroughly discredited.> >>> >> -- Cheezem

> >> aspieperspective. blogspot. com <http://aspieperspective.blogspot.com/>> >>> >> >> >

> > --> > Lydia > > www.rainbow- websites. com <http://www.rainbow-websites.com/>

> > <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3> > " Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few> > of them understand the simple meaning of the word. "

> > ~Ron > > <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3> > WE CAN DO THIS> > http://www.nopom. info <http://www.nopom.info/>

> > <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3> > Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designs> > http://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s<http://www.cafepress.com/autismrules>

> > <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3> > " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then> > you win. " > > ~~Mahatma Gandhi

> >> >> >> >>>>> --> > AutismOnTheGo.com>]

[Guest guest]

I sure hope everyone feels like you and opens there eyes to our families needs....we need more support and services for our families and they are the ones that do it...so make sure everyone joins there local chapters and goes to some of the meeting,etc..they are there for us...

Thank you, Ellen Blackburn

www.thepuzzleplace.com

Subject: Re: Autism Speaks Crosses the LineTo: sList Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 6:20 PM

Our money is best spent donating it to CARD and ASA of Broward.Ida> >> >>> >> I almost entitled this message, "The Most Offensive Thing I've Ever Seen".> >> While that would be accurate (and one of the previous contenders was a> >> brochure for an amusement park called Stalin World), it doesn't really tell> >> you much about the contents of the message.> >>> >> For those of you who don't know, Autism Speaks is pretty much *hated* by> >> autistic people. Before yesterday, I wouldn't have gone so far as to call it> >> a genocidal hate-group (others haven't been so kind), but they *certainly> >> * don't speak on our behalf... or even in our interests. Their website> >> flat-out states that their goal is a world without us in it, something which> >> pretty much sums up our opinion of

them.> >>> >> Their latest video project, however, crossed a line. As my first paragraph> >> implies, it is *easily* the most offensive thing I have ever seen.> >>> >> For those of you unfamiliar with the project in question, it's kicking up> >> a bit of a storm in the blogosphere. While its URL at YouTube is http://www.youtube.> >> com/watch? v=HDdcDlQVYtM <http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=HDdcDlQVYtM> , I> >> prefer to link to the various blogs hosting commentary along with an> >> embedded player (e.g. http://leftbrainrig htbrain.co. uk/?p=3214<http://leftbrainrig htbrain.co. uk/?p=3214> ,> >> which also includes Suzanne 's original appeal to parents for help;> >> c.f. below).> >>> >> This is especially offensive as Suzanne originally appealed to *> >> parents* for help making the video in question (the appeal can be found> >> at http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=LyBruPyf9rE<http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=LyBruPyf9rE>)... then used the footage to dehumanize and stigmatize the children of the> >> parents who responded.> >>> >> One parent's reaction -- and commentary -- can be found at http://club166.> >> blogspot. com/2009/

09/when-will- they-listen. html<http://club166. blogspot. com/2009/ 09/when-will- they-listen. html> .> >> I chose this one because it's already sparked a degree of commentary from> >> *other* parents, meaning that there's a discussion going on.> >>> >> In any case, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Virginia branch (whose> >> head is the person who first brought this video to the attention of the> >> autistic community) has posted the following commentary. I am copying it to> >> this list with their permission (a response from the organization as a whole> >> should be expected soon, but the video just came out yesterday).> >>> >> To quote:> >>> >> Reminiscent of the failed Ransom Notes

campaign, the latest video in the> >> Autism Speaks arsenal uses a disembodied "voice of autism" that uses threat> >> tactics, aimed at parents of autistic children.> >> * "Voice" of autism:> >> *The "voice" speaks in a creepy, gloating, clipped tone, accompanied by> >> the type of music reserved for scary movie scenes, saying repeatedly "I> >> will" do (something particularly nasty) to "you," the parent of a child on> >> the autism spectrum. The litany of threats listed by the "voice" give an> >> air of criminality to "autism." Some of the threats include robbery, pain,> >> and "relishing desperation. " "You ignored me… and that was a mistake,"> >> threatens the voice.> >> "I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong." "I know no morality."> >> How dare Autism Speaks say that we have no

interest in right or wrong? Yes,> >> I know the creators of this video would say "It is *autism* that is> >> speaking, not autistic people." Think again: You cannot separate autism from> >> the autistic individual; you impute immorality to us by pretending to speak> >> "our" language. It's offensive and it is damaging to us.> >> *"Voices" of parents:* The second half of the film is the "voices" of> >> parents and others who are "fighting back." A list of people who will fight> >> against "autism" follows. "Parents, grandparents, schoolteachers,> >> pediatricians, friends", etc. Everyone but anyone on the spectrum.> >> "We speak the only language that matters," the voices of the "autism> >> community" assert. The "community" envisioned here is a monolithic community> >> of fighters-against- autism and not the

real-life community of parents> >> (including autistic parents), families, and communities, many of whom are> >> disgusted by Autism Speaks' dehumanizing tactics.> >> The voices of real autistic people, and of families who do not subscribe> >> to the personification of autism, and therefore their family members, as> >> something sinister and criminal, clearly do not matter to Autism Speaks.> >> *United Nations:* Near the end of this section we hear repeated by many> >> voices: "We are the United Nations." It's pretty clear that Autism Speaks is> >> trying to gain a foothold in creeping out people in other countries.> >> The United Nations, by showing this film, violates its own principles in> >> the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:> >> *"As a change of perceptions is essential to improve

the situation of> >> persons with disabilities, ratifying countries are to combat stereotypes and> >> prejudices and promote awareness of the capabilities of persons with> >> disabilities (Article 8)."*> >> Finally, a voice of a parent/autism community member asks: "Autism, are> >> you listening?"> >> Yes we *autistics and our families and friends *are. We are listening to> >> myths, negative stereotypes, the co-opting of our very real and human> >> voices, being made, ironically enough, to say things that we would not say,> >> threaten people in ways that we would not threaten them, and participate in> >> our own stigmatization. And *we* will not rest until this sort of Ransom> >> Notes-esque "autism awareness" campaign is thoroughly discredited.> >>> >> -- Cheezem>

>> aspieperspective. blogspot. com <http://aspieperspec tive.blogspot. com/>> >>> >> >> >> > --> > Lydia > > www.rainbow- websites. com <http://www.rainbow- websites. com/>> > <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3> > "Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few> > of them understand the simple meaning of the word."> > ~Ron > > <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3> > WE CAN DO THIS> > http://www.nopom. info <http://www.nopom. info/>> > <3 <3 <3 <3

<3 <3 <3> > Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designs> > http://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s<http://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s>> > <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3> > "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then> > you win."> > ~~Mahatma Gandhi> >> >> > > >> > > > -- > > AutismOnTheGo. com>