Published on 12, July, 2020
How do y'all feel about an autistic person identifying as an "aut*st" or calling their autistic friends they have close relationships with the same word? My autistic friend prefers it because he says it is "taking the word back", but only autistic people can use it. He likens it to the n-word or h*llbilly.
Personally, I agree with him. In fact, I designed a shirt that says "All my friends are aut*sts" (but actually spelled out without the astrix). It's from a running personal joke where I was completely unaware I was autistic and just thought I liked autistic people, which is why I would say, "All my friends are autistic." Using the word "aut*sts" in the shirt would be an indirect way of disclosing my autism flavor since only autistic people can use it. Would this shirt be offensive?
The problem is anyone's name can be turned into an insult. I personally think it's akin to using a personality type.
While identities have always existed (Her Royal Highness to the Postman to being an 'addict'), it's anything goes now, better to only use a term if it's been 'shaded' if it applies to you and you decide you like it. When it comes to slang, we can all take a note as Aussies and a fair amount of Scottish friends call each other the c word, while slang in the States is only allowed by those who it once applied as a derogatory term to.
Good point. You mention the c word......I know of a particular metropolitan neighbourhood where the n word is used quite harmlessly and prolifically in ways, and between people of differing skin colours, without fear or retribution...its the norm.....a "filler" word.....tongue in cheek.....counter-cultural. I fit in there - the only thing that is truly despised, is nonsense and posturing of ANY description - its a very REAL place!