From Rabbi Michael Levy: Thank you for reminding us that people with autism are not a mistake.
I would add the following:
-1. How powerful it would be if people with autism THEMSELVES could begin to believe
“I am not a mistake!”
-2. Adding to that power, how could people with autism demonstrate that belief! Take a tip from other minorities. Could I make my autism a source of pride? Could I show the non-autistic world the beauty and value of my autistic culture, my autistic way of viewing people and the world?
-3. Once people with autism BELIEVE in themselves and who they are, it will be easier for them to go on the offensive.
-4. All groups who have gained acceptance by the majority, and a growing amount of respect, have gone on the offensive. Sit-ins, legal action, dazzling the media with press packet and interviews, and ultimately bringing pressure on groups and individuals that practice or tolerate discrimination.
-5. Use what works. Sometimes it’s re-education, one media contact at a time. Sometimes it’s an attention-catching demonstration that makes the six o’clock news.
-6. Like nonbinary individuals, racial minorities and those underserved by health professionals, we the disabled know that our greatest obstacle to integration is not our disability status.
-7. Our greatest obstacle to integration into society and access to effective health care is the stereotypical attitudes of the non-disabled majority.
-8. RFK JR. and his allies, some in the current federal Executive Branch, make judgments about us through flawed statistical analyses.
-9. Even more galling, they value their flawed statistics over direct discussion and dialog with the autistic community.
-10. As with other minorities, the ultimate judgment about “truth” should be made by THEM, not by outsiders.
-11. Those with autism are not “defective diseased individuals.” They are, first and foremost, Americans with the same rights and responsibilities as the nondisabled.
-12. Has RFK Jr. ever worked with an individual with autism on an equity power basis?
-13. In his capacity as Secretary of Health, has he made it a priority to recruit qualified articulate individuals from the populations which his office serves?
-14. Has he organized focused groups from among autistic individuals and organizations at which ideas can be exchanged freely without pressure from him and his allies?
-15. What’s his rush? Blacks, nonbinary individuals, women, and others wouldn’t stand to be rushed, especially since the death of so many individuals in police custody.
-16. Those of us with disabilities, some of whom have been mistreated by police, won’t be rushed either.
-17. RFK Jr. is rendered incompetent by his own syndrome:
“Oughtism”
-18. RFK Jr. and his allies (perhaps not even consciously) decide how things OUGHT TO BE.
-19. They then mangle statistics and true science.
-20. They do this to achieve their self-proclaimed and self-centered vision of the future.
-21. My organization’s board, staff and consumers empower each other to use our voices.
-22. In a continuing journey towards full integration into society, we strive and struggle for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
-23. Until Talking Point (22) comes to fruition, we have not made America great again
Agreed. I will amplify this message as I can and do what I can in my work to keep raising awareness and promoting actions for all our safety and well-being.
I’ve asked the RRC and the Reconsructionist movement to comment on this for 2 weeks now and been ignored unfortunately. Where are the statements? Thanks for your attention to this absolutely crucial and pressing topic and looking forward to you pushing this forward 🙏🏼
From Rabbi Michael Levy: Thank you for reminding us that people with autism are not a mistake.
I would add the following:
-1. How powerful it would be if people with autism THEMSELVES could begin to believe
“I am not a mistake!”
-2. Adding to that power, how could people with autism demonstrate that belief! Take a tip from other minorities. Could I make my autism a source of pride? Could I show the non-autistic world the beauty and value of my autistic culture, my autistic way of viewing people and the world?
-3. Once people with autism BELIEVE in themselves and who they are, it will be easier for them to go on the offensive.
-4. All groups who have gained acceptance by the majority, and a growing amount of respect, have gone on the offensive. Sit-ins, legal action, dazzling the media with press packet and interviews, and ultimately bringing pressure on groups and individuals that practice or tolerate discrimination.
-5. Use what works. Sometimes it’s re-education, one media contact at a time. Sometimes it’s an attention-catching demonstration that makes the six o’clock news.
-6. Like nonbinary individuals, racial minorities and those underserved by health professionals, we the disabled know that our greatest obstacle to integration is not our disability status.
-7. Our greatest obstacle to integration into society and access to effective health care is the stereotypical attitudes of the non-disabled majority.
-8. RFK JR. and his allies, some in the current federal Executive Branch, make judgments about us through flawed statistical analyses.
-9. Even more galling, they value their flawed statistics over direct discussion and dialog with the autistic community.
-10. As with other minorities, the ultimate judgment about “truth” should be made by THEM, not by outsiders.
-11. Those with autism are not “defective diseased individuals.” They are, first and foremost, Americans with the same rights and responsibilities as the nondisabled.
-12. Has RFK Jr. ever worked with an individual with autism on an equity power basis?
-13. In his capacity as Secretary of Health, has he made it a priority to recruit qualified articulate individuals from the populations which his office serves?
-14. Has he organized focused groups from among autistic individuals and organizations at which ideas can be exchanged freely without pressure from him and his allies?
-15. What’s his rush? Blacks, nonbinary individuals, women, and others wouldn’t stand to be rushed, especially since the death of so many individuals in police custody.
-16. Those of us with disabilities, some of whom have been mistreated by police, won’t be rushed either.
-17. RFK Jr. is rendered incompetent by his own syndrome:
“Oughtism”
-18. RFK Jr. and his allies (perhaps not even consciously) decide how things OUGHT TO BE.
-19. They then mangle statistics and true science.
-20. They do this to achieve their self-proclaimed and self-centered vision of the future.
-21. My organization’s board, staff and consumers empower each other to use our voices.
-22. In a continuing journey towards full integration into society, we strive and struggle for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
-23. Until Talking Point (22) comes to fruition, we have not made America great again
Agreed. I will amplify this message as I can and do what I can in my work to keep raising awareness and promoting actions for all our safety and well-being.
Thank you for all you do, Rabbi Asher.
I’ve asked the RRC and the Reconsructionist movement to comment on this for 2 weeks now and been ignored unfortunately. Where are the statements? Thanks for your attention to this absolutely crucial and pressing topic and looking forward to you pushing this forward 🙏🏼
Passionate and well written and needs to be said. In my role ss a family counselor I had the privilege of working with autistic children and families.
Thank you, Leslie.
Thank you for the article and for placing it in a Jewish context. Everyone needs to pay attention and act in whatever way they are able!