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Using "autism" as an ableist insult is bigotry.


Dark Qiviut

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I posted this in my status and will repeat it here.

 

I LOATHE it when "autism/autistic" is tossed around as an ableist slur. "Autism" isn't something to laugh at or insult. There are thousands and thousands of people young and old with autism and other mental deficiencies. Many can cope, but others sometimes can't. For the latter, when they struggle, it can be HELL.

 

When you're using "autism" as a slur, you're resorting to bigotry. You're bullying people by using "autistic" as a pathetic slur. There are a lot of kids who contemplate suicide because they feel their autism causes them to not function so well in society, and tossing it around as an insult so casually will only make them more trapped. If you want to make your opinion be credible, never throw that word as an bigoted insult. It's disgusting, and you lose all credibility if you do.

  • Brohoof 20

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Coming from someone who has autism, I find people using it as a racial slur rather insulting. And the worst part is if you respond, they will just say you're butthurt or they have their freedom of speech or something.

  • Brohoof 7
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You're really stating the facts here. I'd call into question the level of mental functioning of anyone who even uses that as a slur.

  • Brohoof 5
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As someone with Aspergers, a form of Autism, I feel insulted whenever this is used as a way to say "stupid."
Whoever uses the Autism excuse needs to seriously get their heads examined.

  • Brohoof 6
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I don't feel stupid at all, me having high-functioning autism, I think they're just stupid for using that as an offence.

 

but alas, we're the last people to go fight for our rights because we usually keep to ourselves lmao.

  • Brohoof 3
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Honestly, the way the internet uses it is interchangeable with r*t*rd and the later is more acceptable and less offensive since it isn't a legal diagnoses anymore.  

  • Brohoof 2
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Usually what haters and troll say either has me indifferent or even makes me laugh at them but this really makes my skin crawl. As someone who has lived with Autism I can tell you firsthand that there are a lot of misconceptions about it and using such a complicated issue as a cheap insult does not help.

  • Brohoof 4
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  • Event Coordinator

I agree completely. Using autism as an insult is deplorable and anyone who does that should be ashamed of themselves. People should actually think about what they say before they say it. 
  
 

Thanks for posting this... with my autism I don't have a lot of friends.

 
Hey, I always love to make new friends here, so feel free to send me a message any time. :)

  • Brohoof 3
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I agree with your sentiments, but I don't think anyone willing to use "autistic" as a slur is going to care if it's bigotry or not.

  • Brohoof 3
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First off, let me say that you write some of my most favourite blog entires. They're well thought out and persuasive. I hope I get to see more from you. :3

 

Secondly, coming from someone who has autism, I usually either roll my eyes or laugh at how many people misuse autism. I do find it saddening that people do believe it originated as an alternative for retarded, however. I kind of blame Sonichu and 4chan for starting this belief... -3-

  • Brohoof 5
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