Zoom Autism Magazine Issue 9 | Page 10

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, 10 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 11