Green thoughts on autism

2nd April (yesterday at this time of writing) was autism awareness day, something which I feel very concerned about even though it is often promoted by a 'charity' called Autism Speaks, whose actions have actually caused psychological harm to many people with autism and which are not charitable at all. This recent letter is why you should never support Autism Speaks: http://autisticadvocacy.org/2014/01/2013-joint-letter-to-the-sponsors-of-autism-speaks/

How does this relate to green or socialist politics, you ask?

Well, I can tell you.  The Green Party promises to help society become more cooperative and more respectful towards people with disabilities via greater promotion of diversity, so that people with disabilities like myself can be appreciated and respected in wider society, and not have to face the various forms of ableism (discrimination against people with disabilities) that many of us have faced in our lives: harassment, abuse, attacks on us in the media, and hate crime. People with autism are particularly vulnerable to these problems that people with disabilities face. Me and my fellow Greens believe in helping society become more inclusive, creating a more equal society, and also in enforcing internationally recognised disability rights and encouraging more people with disabilities to participate and also possibly run for elected office.

 As for relation to socialism, it is clear that disability is generally a social construct, and that the capitalist system is responsible overall for failing to help people with disabilities be properly included in society-simply because of capitalism's fundamental flaws. I strongly believe a democratic socialist and green society, based on sustainability, cooperation and fairness, is needed before human civilisation can be as fully inclusive as possible towards all people with disabilities, including (and often especially) those with autistic spectrum disorders.

 Alan.
 

Comments

  1. DON'T dis US3 April 2014 at 05:20

    hi alan thisis a very interesting post may I please repost it with acknowledgement in green left and gptu blogs? yrs peter murry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan B3 April 2014 at 09:10

      Yes,Peter,I would be very happy for you to repost this with the acknowledgements in question :) Alan.

      Delete
  2. Natsumi18 April 2014 at 14:45

    Thank you for remembering autism day and writing a little related to it. Regards from Spain.

    ReplyDelete

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