Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello, it has been 7 months since I have been on these forums due struggling with low mood and that sort of thing. Sadly its as if I've logged out and logged back in again. The same frustrations and misunderstandings that people are experiencing.
Most being bullied in school for being different, feeling unable to express who you really are for fear of it not being accepted, some people rejecting its a real thing, some people believing it can be cured. Am I referring to autism today or homophobia decades ago? How many of your favourite comedy shows have a "weird" peripheral character who pops up only occasionally to be pointed and laughed at their complete lack of self awareness and social norms. How many of these characters are likely to be on the spectrum? Its as casual in our society as the word "gay" meaning "bad" was not so long ago.
I'm sure a lot of you will relate to the idea of saying things that are not popular opinions or at least having to fight hard not to say them. Unfortunately I think the process by which we move towards better understanding and equality is not the ideal world situation we would like it to be, rather that a cause has to become fashionable.
It is trendy to be seen to be pro certain causes and while those causes are no more or less worthy, it doesn't help those that haven't had their time in the sun yet. It seems that these causes are the ones that are pursued the most perhaps due to their fashionable current stock, or perhaps because they are seen as easier because they are already further ahead in the process. It seems that ignoring the fact that a cause has to become trendy only makes the task harder than if we accept that fear of being seen to not be in line with current opinion is a more powerful driving force in people's behaviour than genuine compassion and wanting society to be the best it can be. If you want proof of that just look at how much we would look down on Russia due to them being behind on attitudes towards sexuality. We act appalled, as though we would never dream of such lack of acceptance when we are still seeing the back end of that culture in our country. Does anyone dispute this? And how do we make autism fashionable?
Wow - I'm new to this discussion board and it's function, but was prompted to look at this [Related] discussion. Your point is incredibly inciteful and has condensed a lot of thoughts I've had in an articulate and well written form allowing me to understand it - thanks.
Often, the first words out of someone's mouth when I say I'm autistic is an attempt at solidarity be telling me how much they love Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory.
The show doesn't appeal to me.
Now I've read your post, I now appreciate it doesn't appeal to me the same way I expect watching a show about a drug dealing pimp in the 1970s didn't appeal to a black man back then.
Because it's reinforcing stereotypes in a world where a broad spectrum (pun intended) of varieties isn't available.
I think Black Man Pimp is perfectly acceptable in a TV schedule, ALONG WITH Green Grocer, Primary School Teacher, Detective Chief Inspector and Intergalactic Power Ranger. But when Pimp is all you've got - nope.
So Sheldon with his idiosyncrasies is perfectly fine, along with every other type of ASD person being represented in the media.
Well written. Well said.