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56 Aspies

Martian Tom

Something occurred to me earlier when I read about the social media campaign that has been started by 56 black men, using photographs of themselves wearing hoodies.

In case you haven't heard about it, you can read about it here:

Why 56 black men are posing in hoodies

These are all black men who are successful in their own right: politicians, directors, teachers, entrepreneurs, etc.

The campaign has a very simple and important purpose: to challenge perceptions and stereotypes.

22 of these men appeared on the Victoria Derbyshire programme on BBC2 to discuss the campaign and the reasons for it. 

Footage of their appearance is here:

Victoria Derbyshire

I was wondering what people think about setting up a similar campaign for Aspies (men and women). 

And about seeing if we can get a similar chance to have our say on national TV.

Part of starting a dialogue, maybe...

Any thoughts?

Parents

  • I've just read the article and can see the parallels. Except that Aspies can't be distinguished by the way they look. Unless acting awkwardly and aloof counts? What do you suggest, 56 Aspies in hoodies? Challenge the perception sometimes portrayed in the media associating people with ASD with criminal behaviour when actually the vast majority of us are not criminals, many hold academic qualifications and professional jobs? What's your vision Tom?

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  • I've just read the article and can see the parallels. Except that Aspies can't be distinguished by the way they look. Unless acting awkwardly and aloof counts? What do you suggest, 56 Aspies in hoodies? Challenge the perception sometimes portrayed in the media associating people with ASD with criminal behaviour when actually the vast majority of us are not criminals, many hold academic qualifications and professional jobs? What's your vision Tom?

Children
  • in reply to Kitsune

    I don't suggest running it in the same way at all, because it's about focusing on an entirely different set of perceptions and stereotypes. What appealed to me was the idea of having a national platform,  maybe,  to both present a case and to challenge some of the perceptions often associated with autism. So people could see a bunch of 'ordinary looking' people who actually have needs that are perhaps greater than most 'ordinary" people's needs - and who also have capabilities that many employers,  for instance, would be attracted by.