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?
Agreed. The world is crazy and it's getting crazier every day.
Because the world has gone mad Peter, in my opinion.
There are sone corners of the internet where autist is used as a slur but actually you find it used in a positive sense in tthe same places. I believe as a slur autismo is gaining traction which I believe is merely Spanish for autistic person. why that’s gaining traction I have no idea.
With regard to Autist though, surely it's not reclamation is it, as I don't believe it was ever used derogatorily?
I think NTs specifically are discouraged from using it because it can sound derogatory coming from them.
I'd never thought of that. I love the idea!
Sadly no if your different they home in on it and its made fun off.
Thank you ️
I'm really sorry to hear that.
Virtual hug x
Could you link to that page please.
Thanks.
Roy - as my comment to Juniper above - there are places where IT is accepted, if YOU are accepted.
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!
I wouldn’t find the word offensive, I’ve noticed black people using the “N” word between each other, it’s another way a word had been taken back. It isn’t acceptable for anyone else to use the word. I’ve seen T-shirts for parents of autistic children or partners, that’s brilliant, they are proud to have an autistic person in their family. It’s often how words just evolve, in the 1920’s the word gay just meant someone was happy. I identify as autistic, not having autism, it’s just my personal choice.
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.
It's ok
But the goalposts are constantly moving. I'm old enough to have seen words go from inoffensive to offensive and back again. I'm more concerned by people who are offended by homosexuality, who blow up gay clubs, or are offended by cartoons and react by shooting journalists. People should be prepared to be offended from time to time and should certainly not see their state of being offended as a licence to resort to violence.
Personally - I think it is the INTENT behind ANY word that matters.....not the word itself. Forgive me for being a simple d*ckhead.
[Disambiguation......my intent here, was humour. Apologies to all those who don't share my style of humour.]
I half agree, insofar as intent is always key and picking a fight instead of explaining the preferred term is silly. But sometimes you hear people put more effort into not updating to the more respectful terms, and that's where you have to ask 'which is really tiring?'
That's horrible, I'm so sorry. I naively assumed kids these days were more enlightened.
At school a few people have taken to using it as an insult towards me and the word autism. People say it makes me retarded
Keeping up with what words are regarded by some people as offensive is tiring, as they seem to change all the time. I do not think that being offended by word use is very important in the grand scheme of things, or that anyone has a right to never be offended. It is the people who resort to violence because they are offended that concern me.