6:53pm June 28, 2014

Allies

I find it amusing that people say “you’re XCYZ, you don’t know what discrimination is” when talking about their favorite marginalized group. At first it looks like marginalized people kicking out potential allies. Until you look at the people saying it. They are not of the group that they claim to be protecting. Those of us that are marginalized do not kick out our allies.

I cannot speak for racism - I’m as white as you can get without being transparent. But I CAN speak for autistics and ‘unhealthy’ and ‘ugly’ people.

I have never said a non-autistic cannot be my ally. As long as they are not talking over me, I am happy for them to add their voice to the yell against Autism Speaks. If they want to speak FOR me and not over me, I welcome their help, since I have no voice. You do not have to be mute to speak for me, I will not say you are “entitled” or “privileged” and tell you to shush. As long as you are saying the same things I am typing, you can speak for me and I appreciate it!

I have never said a “physically fit” person cannot be my ally. As long as they are not saying I chose to look the way I do, as long as they are not speaking over me, I welcome their support. If they want to speak for me and tell the world that disabilities that cause physical deformities are not a choice then I welcome their help. I will not criticize someone for saying that my body is unhealthy and people like me need assistance just because they have a more ‘healthy’ body than mine. I appreciate the support.

Telling a person with a healthy heart to shut up when talking about heart disease is STUPID. They are the common people, they are the majority - as long as what they say is correct it does not matter that they have good hearts.

Telling a non-autistic person to shut up when talking about autism is STUPID. They are the common people, they are the majority - as long as what they say is correct it does not matter that they have been deprived of being autistic.

Telling a person to shut up when they are talking about an issue we have simply because they do not have it is STUPID. They are the common people, they are the majority - as long as what they say is correct it does not matter that they do not have that issue.

I accept allies of any size, shape, color, religion, fandom and fashion affiliation. As long as they are not contradicting what I say about my own status, I am not going to criticize them for not having it.

My allies may not know what it is like to be me, but that does not invalidate them.

I welcome even “autism moms” as allies, once they get over their “poor pitiful me” phase.

Don’t lump our allies into a group and chastise them for not ‘being us’ the same way others lump us as a group and push us aside. Welcome their help and educate them.

The common people listen to the common people. Accept allies from the common people.