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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?

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  • in reply to Tinyexplorer

    sorry, I hit enter button for paragraphs and it posts. Soo , I think it is sad that it didn't get traction. Perhaps a campaign like 56 men needs to be led by autistic people who are comfortable 'coming out'. This might be one of the problems. If you don't mind me saying, I think autistic people need a campaign that normalises us, showing all those adults that led successful lives and succeeded professionally, formed families, raised children while being autistic. Not focussing on problems, because it perpetuates the myths and perception of defectiveness. Instead it would help to show various facets of success of autistic people, their strengths. A campaign busting 56 myth as it were. For example busting the myth about lack of empathy, showing people in jobs, showing the strengths, being successful, showing couples in successful relationships, showing children doing well after correct SEN provisions were made. A lot of press coverage focuses on lack of services and insufficient budgets, creating the perception that autism is an expensive problem on the side of society, not part of it. I think in parallel to this there should be loud message that autistic people are full part of society, always have been, they have a contribution to make, are essential productive part of civilisation, of human diversity.