Harvard’s The Crimson is reporting that a panel discussion on autism has been postponed after protests that the panel titled “Autism Awareness: Thinking Outside the Box” is “violently ableist.”
According to a Change.org petition, the main objection is that the panel refers to autism as something that should be cured and treats “neurodivergent” and Autistic people as needing treatment:
“This is not only violently ableist but scientifically incorrect. Phrases like “winning our war against autism” infer countless problematic narratives and demonize neurodivergent and Autistic people for simply existing. Adding in phrases like “how to communicate” and “savant autism” in conjunction suggest an alien-like nature to Autistic people. We are human, too.”
Harvard student Kristin King objected that “Talking about things like treating and curing autism is a really toxic narrative.” Protesters also objected to the lack of autistic speakers on the panel.
The petition also labels the views of panelists a “misinformation” and claims that even holding the panel will make the campus “unsafe”:
“Harvard is a place of knowledge and learning. Misinformation is dangerous – and speakers like Marcia Hinds share violent misinformation about Autism saying, ‘maybe if we stopped calling it Autism and called it what it is, a messed up immune system.’ By supporting such an event, Harvard is signaling that its campus is unsafe for Autistic people, and that is unacceptable.“
The objections to the panel are precisely the type of debate that is encouraged on our campuses. However, canceling or postponing this event raise troubling issues of free speech and academic freedom. The argument that opposing views make campuses “unsafe” is becoming a common claim in the anti-free speech movement.
Even if protesters cannot get the panel to change or augment the event, they can hold their own event. That is what free speech is all about. Indeed, they can protest this event so long as they do not disrupt or shout down speakers inside the event.
This event was composed of leading experts who sought to share research on autism. If they view autism as something that is best “cured,” that is a view that should be protected as a matter of free speech and academic freedom at Harvard.
This decision is even more troubling on the heels of the decision after a British Romanticism author was prevented from speaking on campus due to her views on gender.
I seriously hate when these bought and paid for neurodiversity advocates falsely claim that they speak for me when all they do is propagate their views merely because they are told to. It’s insulting that actual voices like mind are marginalized by these “autism advocacy” groups.
Split personality is now becoming normalized. People refer to themselves as a “system.” In another example of social contagion, this phenomena is spreading. Many want to be treated as actual different people, all occupying the same body. You have to adapt to them. Trying to realign their psyches is ableist or discriminatory based on the neuronormative cis-gendered patriarchy. There’s probably a Republican in there somewhere, too. To make it even more confusing, these “systems” might have myriad genders. One personality might be male, another female, and still another non binary. All in one person’s body.
Woke run amuck.
So, the US is now ableist.
The ADA requires ramps, handicapped parking, IEDs in schools, allows service animals in public spaces, and has myriad building code requirements to help people with disabilities. If you hang a mirror in a public bathroom a 1/4 inch too high, you can be sued for a lot of money in shakedown lawsuits.
People who think that the US is “ableist” need to travel to other countries. Try using a bathroom in Japan or Iran if you’re handicapped. Try finding a handicapped ramp in most countries on planet Earth.
These people have no concept of what they’re talking about.
Ableist, ageist, racist, sexist, transphobic (e.g. trans/homosexual’s social exclusion of trans/bisexuals, trans/neogenders through gendermanding) and other class-based bigotries defended under the Diversity, Inequity, and Exclusion (DIE) regime of the Pro-Choice “ethical” religion.
Oh my God, this is devastating. I know people with children on the autism spectrum. One of them is non verbal. Early intervention and therapy has incredible benefits helping children communicate, self regulate, and improve their chances of living independently. Autism is a spectrum, that encompasses people unable to function, to brilliant minds like Temple Grandin. There was a child on the spectrum in my child’s elementary school who used to disrupt the entire class multiple times a day, crying, throwing tantrums, knocking desks over. Any claim that this child should not receive treatment in order to normalize reactions and behavior, and improve communication is irresponsible. “Normalize” has become a bad word. Cis gendered. Heteronormative. Neuronormative. All of this is now condemned as “privileged.”
Of course neurodivergent people should exist. That’s the impetus behind the movement to stop the genocide of people with Downs Syndrome. But now in the name of diversity, the Left doesn’t want people having access to a panel discussion on autism? If you don’t agree with one of the panelists, so what? You’re in a university. You’re supposed to learn how to ascertain whether someone proved their thesis or position. You make your own conclusion.
The woke movement always destroys what it purports to help.
NEWSPEAK is a real problem.
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Merriam-Webster
ableism noun
able·ism | \ ˈā-bə-ˌli-zəm
\
Definition of ableism
: discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities
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Discrimination is to distinguish, discern and differentiate.
English speakers borrowed it from the past participle of the Latin verb discriminare (meaning “to distinguish or differentiate”), which, itself, is derived from the verb discernere, meaning “to distinguish between.” Discernere, in turn, was formed by combining the prefix dis- (meaning “apart”) and cernere (“to sift”).
– merriam-webster.com
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Discrimination is absolutely constitutional and the first step of freedom.
People continuously discriminate between right and wrong.
If Americans cannot discriminate, Americans cannot not be free.
It is impolite, rude and immoral to accentuate, and unnecessarily and gratuitously criticize unusual and atypical characteristics of other people.
It is insidious and disingenuous to conflate violence with discernment.
Freedom of speech, thought, opinion, etc., are constitutional, edifying and productive.
Oppression and repression are unconstitutional, counterproductive, antithetical, anti-American and communistic.
I agree with the use of the word “discriminate”, but few of us remember its original meaning. What I hear now is “discern”.
Those in charge should have firmly told the protesters that the decision has been made and that they should go home. No one is forcing them to attend or telling them how to think. The blame for this misuse of authority sits sole on those who cancelled the event.
According to a Change.org petition, the main objection is that the panel refers to autism as something that should be cured and treats “neurodivergent” and Autistic people as needing treatment:
And yet if a panel were convened to discuss the various “cures” for climate change, these protesters would become self-anointed security for the event.
When I was applying to colleges/universities many decades ago, Harvard was among a select group at the highest level of aspiration. You get into Harvard, and you manage to graduate, you’re given the tools to success unlike any other.
This belief about Harvard is being steadily undone by Harvard itself.
If I were an Employer, and a Harvard graduate applied for a job, I would now have 2nd thoughts about hiring such a person. That would not have been true let’s say back in the 1960’s or even the 1970’s.
what, exactly does “Violently Ableist” mean. Does the left just invent speech for a particular protest and then blend it into their catechism?
@William Downey,
I have to agree.
On the one hand, trying to cure autism is like trying to cure dementia.
But to your point, the higher functioning levels of Autism could be ‘treated’. Not so much of a cure, but more of medication and training to help bring these individuals back into the mainstream of society.
I agree that the protest doesn’t help.
But if we look at today’s campuses… the protests are less about doing the right thing and thinking about the issue, but more about showing that they have a voice and are responding w a knee-jerk reaction to any stimulus.
The minute you confront them with the facts which lead to a different conclusion, they are taught to shout you down and to attack you and not the idea.
So a fix for “gender dysphoria” is good? But not for autism?
At least those nihilists are consistent: Start with the normal and the healthy — and destroy it. Start with the abnormal and unhealthy — and leave it be.
Disclaimer: Autism is personal for me. I am raising an autistic child.
First, all of those liberal or progressive individuals may not know that there are levels of autism. The levels range from high functioning formerly known as Asperberger’s to low functioning including non-verbal individuals.
Second, many autistics have the additional burden of physical, emotional, and social issues that negatively affect their ability to participate in society. Imagine not being able to attend religious services due to the sound of the organ. Many are unable to endure any kind of loud noise. Autistic individuals ‘stim’ and engage in behaviors such as finger snapping, clapping or fidgeting. Oten times these behaviors result in ridicule.
Third, as a result of autism these individuals are unable to work in ‘normal’ jobs and require special work programs.
Fourth, autism is a disability protected by the Americans With Disabilities Act and receive benefits through SSI and state benefits. They are not living in the lap of luxury. Individuals with lower functional levels are frequently living in group homes.
Fifth, non-verbal students are frequent victims of abusive behavior. Why, because they are unable to tell anyone.
Panel discussions discussing the treatment of or research into autism are designed to inform the community on dealing with autism, how to deal with autistics and showcase potential treatments.
The protest did nothing to help a vulnerable a population. Harvard’s administration caved showing that they do not value open discussions and have no backbone.
Thank you.
The post reality panopticon. Truth is cancelled by the guardians of a narrative.
These are facts: there are no people with Kanner’s autism at Harvard. People that deep on the spectrum are generally in diapers, non -verbal, and require 24 hour supervision or care. To suggest otherwise is a lie.
Quirky, shy, unconventional, introverted, neurotic- these are features of autistic spectrum disorder. People with these personality traits can and do excel at all levels of society.
The protestors here are gaslighting the millions of families around the world who act as caregivers and guardians for their loved ones debilitated by autism. Is not a cute, fun, mild disorder. The families dealing with this day in and day out deserve better from Harvard, and our deep thinkers in medicine.
Thank you for spelling it out so elegantly. Today’s protests are often just MOB get togethers, that think they are being cool, when most have NO IDEA what is really going on…they just jump on the outrage bandwagon. Upside down world.
@williamDowney – I guess being able to tolerate the church organ might depend a bit on the player? Of course, I am kidding. My wife is a 23-year special ed teacher with three masters degrees: All of which focus on education for autistic learners. I want to compliment you on your wonderful executive summary. It’s very well written.
I agree that the most troubling thing about this incident is that there will no free exchange of knowledge and ideas. As leftists are wont to do, they stifle that which they do not wish others to hear in the name of “protecting” others. It is ludicrous on face value, and denotes either an callous attempt to avoid trying to defend their indefensible ideas, or a willful suspension of the ability to be intellectually honest. Note these ideas are not mutually exclusive.
They wish to have a participation trophy for a debate they never attend in good faith. It is tiresome, predictable, and sad. As you point out, the victims of this current round of lunacy are autistic kids. I suppose it’s not enough to kill infants; now they wish to harangue living children that are demonstrably unable to defend themselves. Sad, sick, and pathetic.
Disclaimer: Autism is personal for me. I am raising an autistic child.
Beautiful comment. Thanks for it. Very uplifting and grounding.
There is an autistic man at my gym at 4:30 am daily, late 30s/early 40s, small guy and weighs less than 130 pounds. He keeps to himself and trains oddly: very restricted range of motion, quirky and abnormally intense, leading me to suspect Asperger’s. I created a monthly breakfast club for other gym rats, all talkative types yet educated professionals. One of the older women in our group has become friendly with him, and I asked her to invite him to our next breakfast gathering this Saturday. She confirmed that he is autistic. Ive approached him a few times to offer any tips on weight training but he demonstrates flattened affect. The older woman told me he is going through a “hard time”, has no friends and thinks our next breakfast meeting will be good for him.
Harvard has become increasingly irrelevant. There are a few towering Cardiology physician researchers at Harvard who crank out formidable scientific research papers, but otherwise, Ivy League seems like a millstone.
You did a good thing. Our small group of guys used to take out one of the neighbors who used a spoon only with great difficulty. We assisted him to the restaurant and back to the nurses. Everyone eventually needs some help from others. That was my point to ATS. We didn’t suggest that this guy be “aborted.” That argument used in favor of abortion is a bad one.
Not unlike life in the Metaverse, reality is suspended in favor of delusion. We are being coerced to live another’s fantasy of how they wish the world to be and being denied platforms to expose the madness. These impulses are no different than those that informed the Inquisition and Dark Ages.
Just more proof that the Left will knowingly and viciously harm ANYTHING because for the Left it’s not about what’s good and just, it’s about POWER and money. Also proof that the Democrats/Liberal establishment is too weak-minded to refute obvious inanities.
I don’t know how many times to say it but if you vote for Democrats anymore you are encouraging this rabid and harmful behavior. Out of the 280 Democrats in Congress only about 5 (1%) are willing to vote against the insanity of the Dem party, the inept and incompetent Joe Biden, and the shadow government that controls him.
Your proof that Democrats harm the US and its citizens: +14% inflation, $5/gal gas, 3MM illegals since 1/2021 including many gang members and sexually exploited children, violence up in every major city, more policemen killed, more crime in every city, more suicides due to lockdowns, drug use up, dead US soldiers in Taliban Afghanistan, Dem and Joe weakness causing war across the globe and the specter of more international crises to come.
Those who voted Dem in 2020 are responsible. And Democrat politicians lying and saying they aren’t aligned with this failed administration (Tim Ryan in Ohio as an example) are essentially 2-faced liars desperate for power.
What is truly astounding is that these “elite schools” cow-tow to these idiots!
JGgirdon-These “idiot’s” are the creations of the “elite” schools.
I guess I’m not smart enough to understand the objections to this panel.
Most troubling is that students are the future of our nation. People can change, but breaking the cult like trance will occur with facts and good old fashioned life experiences.
If an author presents information that offends or is not factual then the remedy is a vigorous academic debate.
Can you imagine a witness being blocked from testifying in court because they might say something contrary to the prosecutor’s perception?
The group should have promised a rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein “South Pacific” performed by the head of the Ministry of Fear. The group would have been accepted with open arm’s.
Sure. And I’d be willing to bet money many of the dissenters are on the spectrum. Denial, ‘mind blindness’, and (innocent) prevarication are actually *symptoms* of such a diagnosis. Remember when people with multiple personality disorder were arguing they didn’t need treatment about ten years ago? Same kinda thing. They may honestly believe that, their behaviors tell us otherwise (that would be the ‘mind blindness’ at work). Yes, people with autism have a disability, and doesn’t make them ‘bad’ or ‘broken’, but more often than not do need help. Millennials/Gen Z are bound and determined to never have to actually encounter a single shred of actual reality.
Anyone remember Bizarro World from DC Comics? I think we’re almost there
ALMOST????