Ubiquitous
2017-04-04 19:11:53 UTC
Earlier this week, the White House and autism organizations around
the world celebrated the 10th annual World Autism Awareness Day.
Actor William Shatner, best known for his role in Star Trek, changed
his profile icon and tweeted his support into the related hashtag to
draw awareness to the disability. Today, he was inundated with
outrage from social justice warriors likened his support for autism
awareness to hate speech. They further expressed their anger towards
organizations like Autism Speaks, which sponsored the event.
Autism is formally classified as a disability that happens during
pregnancy. Despite that, many people with autism live great lives.
Yet it would be a stretch to call it a gift. As with many challenges
people face, its usually something to overcome.
Autism Speaks is one of several global organizations that supports
finding solutions across the spectrum and catering to the needs of
individuals who suffer from it and their families. Critics refer to
the search for a cure as a form of eugenics.
Shatner fielded a host of complaints from critics who demanded he
preach autism acceptance rather than awarenesssome of whom made
it a crusade to dedicate themselves against Autism Speaks. He was
linked to an article on Forbes decrying awareness for the
disability. The hysterical article based most, if not all, of its
criticism towards the organization on its founders longtime
personal friendship with President Trump.
Having read the article, Shatner rejected the arguments and
addressed his critics, including the founder of an organization
called the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, which released a
statement condemning the White House for its autism awareness
proclamation.
Instead of being the social warrior fighting against a charity;
find an organization you do align with and become their advocate,
he tweeted. I supported an awareness day hashtag that appears to be
scorned by a group that doesnt want awareness.
His critics demanded an apology from him for supporting the hashtag
and started one of their own called #notmycaptain to condemn him for
his supposed ignorance.
They apparently dont want awareness so they attack (under the
guise of educating) those that supported the awareness day, wrote
Shatner.
When one critic told him that the reason Autism Speaks is bad
because it isnt run by autistic individuals, Shatner responded: I
run a charity focused mainly on raising money for equine assisted
therapy for disabled children. Im not a child and Im not
disabled.
Autism can be challenging for individuals afflicted with the
disability, and the costs accrued for special education and their
care is difficult for many families.
While a search for a cure to autism seems like a condemnation of
autistic individualsit isnt. No ones suggesting they havent a
right to exist. Who wishes to be autistic and wishes hardship onto
others? It would be akin to having a deaf child and refusing to
provide them with hearing aids. Its encouraging that we may one day
find a cure through science.
However, some peoplelike the self-advocates criticizing William
Shatnerare discouraging such research for the sake of feeling
special by setting themselves apart from neurotypicals.
Ian Miles Cheong is a journalist and outspoken media critic. You can
reach him through social media at @stillgray on Twitter and on
Facebook.
More
William Shatner at War With Feminist Blog The Mary Sue
Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry Accused of Raping Actress
Video Games Cause Fascism Has Become the Hottest New Meme
Melania Trump Threatens Suit Over Barron Autism Video That Rosie
ODonnell Promoted
the world celebrated the 10th annual World Autism Awareness Day.
Actor William Shatner, best known for his role in Star Trek, changed
his profile icon and tweeted his support into the related hashtag to
draw awareness to the disability. Today, he was inundated with
outrage from social justice warriors likened his support for autism
awareness to hate speech. They further expressed their anger towards
organizations like Autism Speaks, which sponsored the event.
Autism is formally classified as a disability that happens during
pregnancy. Despite that, many people with autism live great lives.
Yet it would be a stretch to call it a gift. As with many challenges
people face, its usually something to overcome.
Autism Speaks is one of several global organizations that supports
finding solutions across the spectrum and catering to the needs of
individuals who suffer from it and their families. Critics refer to
the search for a cure as a form of eugenics.
Shatner fielded a host of complaints from critics who demanded he
preach autism acceptance rather than awarenesssome of whom made
it a crusade to dedicate themselves against Autism Speaks. He was
linked to an article on Forbes decrying awareness for the
disability. The hysterical article based most, if not all, of its
criticism towards the organization on its founders longtime
personal friendship with President Trump.
Having read the article, Shatner rejected the arguments and
addressed his critics, including the founder of an organization
called the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, which released a
statement condemning the White House for its autism awareness
proclamation.
Instead of being the social warrior fighting against a charity;
find an organization you do align with and become their advocate,
he tweeted. I supported an awareness day hashtag that appears to be
scorned by a group that doesnt want awareness.
His critics demanded an apology from him for supporting the hashtag
and started one of their own called #notmycaptain to condemn him for
his supposed ignorance.
They apparently dont want awareness so they attack (under the
guise of educating) those that supported the awareness day, wrote
Shatner.
When one critic told him that the reason Autism Speaks is bad
because it isnt run by autistic individuals, Shatner responded: I
run a charity focused mainly on raising money for equine assisted
therapy for disabled children. Im not a child and Im not
disabled.
Autism can be challenging for individuals afflicted with the
disability, and the costs accrued for special education and their
care is difficult for many families.
While a search for a cure to autism seems like a condemnation of
autistic individualsit isnt. No ones suggesting they havent a
right to exist. Who wishes to be autistic and wishes hardship onto
others? It would be akin to having a deaf child and refusing to
provide them with hearing aids. Its encouraging that we may one day
find a cure through science.
However, some peoplelike the self-advocates criticizing William
Shatnerare discouraging such research for the sake of feeling
special by setting themselves apart from neurotypicals.
Ian Miles Cheong is a journalist and outspoken media critic. You can
reach him through social media at @stillgray on Twitter and on
Facebook.
More
William Shatner at War With Feminist Blog The Mary Sue
Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry Accused of Raping Actress
Video Games Cause Fascism Has Become the Hottest New Meme
Melania Trump Threatens Suit Over Barron Autism Video That Rosie
ODonnell Promoted
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Dems & the media want Trump to be more like Obama, but then he'd
have to audit liberals & wire tap reporters' phones.
Dems & the media want Trump to be more like Obama, but then he'd
have to audit liberals & wire tap reporters' phones.