Originally published: 5/18/2014
Normally I love to watch language evolve, but lately I've noticed one development that I loathe: the evolution of the word autistic into an insult. It fills me with anger and frustration whenever I see this happen, and every time I see it I set the user straight. But this time another commenter beat me to it. Here's a snippet of what they had to say:
"Are you kidding me? Did you just start using the word "autistic" as an adjective to denigrate an entire subsection of our society? ... It is people like you that make people like me constantly change the words I use for certain disabilities, because you think so unfavorably about them that you turn the terms into insults. Note: the autistic spectrum is filled with some of the world's smartest and most creative people."
It filled me with joy to see this. So often it can feel like a lonely battle, fighting against stigma and discrimination with only a handful of allies, and I know most of you have experienced that same frustration. Yet this time, far from feeling saddened and alone, I felt joy, joy which I wanted to share with you all. Because this comment was just a tiny reminder that we're not alone in our fight for what's right. We're part of a bigger movement, and small moments like this, dear readers, are how we achieve change as a community.
-Creigh
Note: When Caley read and approved this (as she does with all my posts), she gave the commenter a standing ovation. I don't have an account on the site this was posted on, but if you read this, Ryan Friend, giant props. Also, to anyone who's curious, the article that spawned the comment thread of which Ryan's words were a part wasn't even autism related - it was about Soylent, of all things.
"Are you kidding me? Did you just start using the word "autistic" as an adjective to denigrate an entire subsection of our society? ... It is people like you that make people like me constantly change the words I use for certain disabilities, because you think so unfavorably about them that you turn the terms into insults. Note: the autistic spectrum is filled with some of the world's smartest and most creative people."
It filled me with joy to see this. So often it can feel like a lonely battle, fighting against stigma and discrimination with only a handful of allies, and I know most of you have experienced that same frustration. Yet this time, far from feeling saddened and alone, I felt joy, joy which I wanted to share with you all. Because this comment was just a tiny reminder that we're not alone in our fight for what's right. We're part of a bigger movement, and small moments like this, dear readers, are how we achieve change as a community.
-Creigh
Note: When Caley read and approved this (as she does with all my posts), she gave the commenter a standing ovation. I don't have an account on the site this was posted on, but if you read this, Ryan Friend, giant props. Also, to anyone who's curious, the article that spawned the comment thread of which Ryan's words were a part wasn't even autism related - it was about Soylent, of all things.
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