• Replies 19 replies
  • Subscribers 85 subscribers
  • Views 12302 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

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

  • If people think it's a crap idea that won't make an iota of difference, then fair enough.  Lord knows, plenty of other ideas have been tried without changing attitudes very much.

    On the other hand... if people think it's worth a punt to try to get a broader dialogue going, then what's the harm?  You can't win (or lose) the money if you don't place the bet.

    Just speak up.  Say what you think.

Reply

  • If people think it's a crap idea that won't make an iota of difference, then fair enough.  Lord knows, plenty of other ideas have been tried without changing attitudes very much.

    On the other hand... if people think it's worth a punt to try to get a broader dialogue going, then what's the harm?  You can't win (or lose) the money if you don't place the bet.

    Just speak up.  Say what you think.

Children
  • in reply to Martian Tom

    All campaigns have to start somewhere.  There are always members of the apathy party who can't be bothered or who think things won't make a difference.

    A mighty oak tree grows from a little acorn, a desert is made of tiny grains of sand.  Once enough people are motivated, there will be a difference.  And most of all we have to believe in ourselves.

    As I have stated about National Autism Week in previous years, we should take the opportunity to campaign, to publicise our problems, to show we are 'normal' but different, that we have our needs but also have our own skills and abilities.  We should send letters to the press, write to our MP, contact the broadcasting companies.  Very little has ever been successfully achieved without a fight.

    And Tom, I think this is a great idea which needs developing.  Not every autistic person is a Susan Boyle, a Gary Numan, an Ann Hegarty or a Chris Packham.  But we share something with them. 

    And this is worth publicising, celebrating and making others aware.

  • in reply to Martian Tom

    As you say, no harm in trying! I think it's a great idea to increase awareness and to show people that we look the same but perceive things and react to things very differently.