Published on 12, July, 2020
I can't stand stereotypes and do not wish to be defined by my condition. I would rather people saw me as an individual with strengths and weaknesses, some of which can be explained by me having Asperger's syndrome, rather than defining me by a label. This is why I can't stand the word 'aspie'. While having Aspergers is an important part of my identity, it is no more important than me being female, no more important than my sexuality or my age. I would hate it if someone did not see past me being a woman or past my age, why is having aspergers any different? The disability movement campaigned for disability to be seen not as an individual affliction or difference, to move beyond individualising disability and to see it as a societal problem: people with disabilities should campaign collectively to change society, making it imperative to see the person before the disability. I am a person with asperger's syndrome, not an aspie. I share traits that other people with AS may have, but I don't share all the traits, just enough to have aspergers. We are all different, to say I am an aspie suggests conformity with other 'aspies' and obliterates the part of me that defies easy categorization.
Scorpion0x17 said:But in a derogitory capacity or something that can be used against someone in a negative sense clearly isn't good.And so, surely, it is a positive thing to self-identify with the term, and to make it our own!Just as some people of colour have done with 'N word'.[/quote]Yup absolutely. In some way's Hope has stereotyped/labelled herself a feminist. In some ways this is similar. Through labelling yourself a feminist, people will stereo type strong and militant qualities. PS I'm not saying this to annoy Hope, but just to highlight it's the way you present yourself that is most important.I dunno, for me if you don't like it fair enough. I have no problem with being labelled an aspie, even tho I think it sound like something kellogs would make.
But in a derogitory capacity or something that can be used against someone in a negative sense clearly isn't good.
And so, surely, it is a positive thing to self-identify with the term, and to make it our own!
Just as some people of colour have done with 'N word'.
[/quote]
Yup absolutely.
In some way's Hope has stereotyped/labelled herself a feminist. In some ways this is similar. Through labelling yourself a feminist, people will stereo type strong and militant qualities. PS I'm not saying this to annoy Hope, but just to highlight it's the way you present yourself that is most important.
I dunno, for me if you don't like it fair enough. I have no problem with being labelled an aspie, even tho I think it sound like something kellogs would make.