Disability as a subculture or identity is just really cringe. Especially the deaf/blind organisations lobbying against curing childrens deafness/blindness.
I’d say subculture is fine. A subculture doesn’t have to be bad or annoying. Identifying with autism is also totally fine. Recognizing kinship isn’t bad.
Where it goes wrong is using it as an identity outright. “Sorry, I’m autistic” is just fucking more annoying after someone does something annoyingly autistic. Being autistic doesn’t mean you literally cannot learn good social behavior. By the time that is true, there is definitely something more serious than autism involved.
Not arguing here. But just want to point out that disability subculture usually arises as a survival response in the face of discrimination and segregation. Everyone has a need for community and a sense of belonging. When broad hegemonic culture rejects you and your presence, belonging is found in the one distinctive feature that is the cause for the rejection and the source of cohesion with your peers. See also gay subculture as a response to homophobia, US black culture as a response to racism, feminist sorority subculture in response to misogyny, etc. So it is not rare to see disability subculture as a response to ableism. These communities are very important for security and preservation of individuals. Just as everywhere else, security is always a trade-off with something else.
Obviously autism can vary between people, but it’s not something that’s wrong with me, and I wouldn’t want to cure it. I’m different than what’s widely considered normal, but in a way that I think is fine. It’s like having red hair or being transgender.
Autism still isn’t a disease though, you can’t “cure” it, it’s something we are. Even with the most disabled we should start with accepting them and offering the help they need, not just immediately label them as defected and try to erase who they are. Sure, let’s figure out ways to lessen the worst symptoms, but how about if we’d just stop discriminating first and see where that leads
Nonverbal people are free to make up their own mind how they feel about it, but calling it “cringe” when people choose to come together over a shared identity and experience is extremely insulting.
Disability as a subculture or identity is just really cringe. Especially the deaf/blind organisations lobbying against curing childrens deafness/blindness.
I’d say subculture is fine. A subculture doesn’t have to be bad or annoying. Identifying with autism is also totally fine. Recognizing kinship isn’t bad.
Where it goes wrong is using it as an identity outright. “Sorry, I’m autistic” is just fucking more annoying after someone does something annoyingly autistic. Being autistic doesn’t mean you literally cannot learn good social behavior. By the time that is true, there is definitely something more serious than autism involved.
Not arguing here. But just want to point out that disability subculture usually arises as a survival response in the face of discrimination and segregation. Everyone has a need for community and a sense of belonging. When broad hegemonic culture rejects you and your presence, belonging is found in the one distinctive feature that is the cause for the rejection and the source of cohesion with your peers. See also gay subculture as a response to homophobia, US black culture as a response to racism, feminist sorority subculture in response to misogyny, etc. So it is not rare to see disability subculture as a response to ableism. These communities are very important for security and preservation of individuals. Just as everywhere else, security is always a trade-off with something else.
Support community? Great. Using it as an excuse or identity like many autistic people do? Cringe.
You don’t see black people going around talking jive, and then going, “oh sorry, you see I’m black” when they catch a confused look…
None of that changes the fact that lobbying against curing a child’s deafness/blindness when it can be cured is fucked up.
Interesting how you chose to just not engage with that point.
I told you, I’m not arguing. I actually agree on that point.
Obviously autism can vary between people, but it’s not something that’s wrong with me, and I wouldn’t want to cure it. I’m different than what’s widely considered normal, but in a way that I think is fine. It’s like having red hair or being transgender.
High functioning autism is a fine character trait to identify with. Though I seriously doubt someone who’s basically mute takes pride in their autism.
Autism still isn’t a disease though, you can’t “cure” it, it’s something we are. Even with the most disabled we should start with accepting them and offering the help they need, not just immediately label them as defected and try to erase who they are. Sure, let’s figure out ways to lessen the worst symptoms, but how about if we’d just stop discriminating first and see where that leads
Nowhere did I ever defend discrimination. I merely said some people do not have a form they’d likely be proud of.
Nonverbal people are free to make up their own mind how they feel about it, but calling it “cringe” when people choose to come together over a shared identity and experience is extremely insulting.
Nowhere did I ever call making a community cringe.
We wouldn’t need a subculture if we weren’t oppressed and excluded from normal culture.
Quick question, are you disabled yourself?