In New Orleans on The Autism Society’s 47th National Conference panel with keynote speaker and New York Times Best Selling Author, of the book ‘NeuroTribes’, Steve Silberman (far left) and (left to right) Alex Plank, Jeff Staley, Chloe Rothschild, Lindsey Nebeker
and John Newman-Miller.
than me and has an especially pleasing tone of
voice. Yes, her voice. That detail may not seem
important to many, but as an audible learner and
lifelong musician, the impact of tones on my nervous system is massive. Her voice literally calms
me. I can listen to her non-stop. It’s pretty awesome. There’s nothing in the world more powerful than loyal love, and I’ve found it.
because we’ve been publicly dehumanized and
mischaracterized in front of people for so long
(helped along by corporate media, politicians
and some social elites), many are unable to show
compassion for a people they perceive as dangerous and destructive, making some feel unsafe
and believe that we’re responsible for bringing
down their quality of life, materially.
Even though, autistic,
“Even though, autistic, Whatever the apprehension,
male, adult, brown,
male, adult, brown, com- our stories need to be told.
I’m also savvy enough to
compassionate, loyal
passionate,
loyal
and
know much of this behavior
and productive people,
productive
people,
like
me,
isn’t as intentional as it is
like me, exist, we remain
invisible. We’re, sumexist, we remain invisible.” societally learned. As the renowned educator Jane Elliott
marily, not considered
(brown autistic men or women) when regular
bluntly points out, “Racism is learned. It can be
unlearned.” Until such a time, I and my brown
conversations are being had concerning autism,
how broken social and justice systems uniquely
multiethnic autistic brothers and sisters will
have to remain vigilant in the hope that enough
impact our emotional, mental and physical wellbeing and what it’s like for us to experience lovpeople will someday say, ‘Enough. We see you.
Let’s talk. Let’s learn.’
ing loyal relationships, such as friendships and
marriage. We’re just like anyone else, but time
and again brown autistic peoples are forgotten,
seemingly viewed through the broad lens of ‘the
standard black stereotype.’
Maybe there’s the view that we couldn’t possibly
be interested in sharing our experiences. Maybe,
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ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
(The above essay was edited and shared with permission. To
read the unedited version in its entirety, please visit the author’s
website Hot Mike’s Music Industry Chronicles.)
ZOOM Autism through Many Lenses
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