Oh, really...? They “regret any offense it caused...?” WOW. How big of them.
The fact that this type of quasi-apology (I.e., not saying straight out that these depictions are WRONG) is accepted by the public is part of the problem. Big corporations KNOW that #ableism isn’t on anyone’s radar. #SelectiveActivism is a MAJOR issues for #PWD.
Think for a second of the wording of the statement. They regret any “offense” that it caused. But what about the #stereotypes that it reinforces? I see no mention of apologies for that.
The media needs to stop exploiting those that are physically and psychologically disabled or different. We’re currently only used as #InspirationPorn, as stereotypes (as seen through the eyes of others, with no care about our actual life experience), as people to be pitied, and as villains.
And until we start holding people accountable over this, there will continue to be children that grow up being picked on & feeling terribly about themselves, because of depictions like this - which encourage people to look at the disabled with pity and/or fear over what’s different. All while we’re STILL completely left out of all major dialogue & discussions regarding #diversity.
#Allies, this is where we need your help. Speak up when people joke about the #disabled, or when you hear someone use the “r” word (which I can’t even believe I have to say), or when people try to use the word “#autistic” as an insult.
And if you won’t, stop patting yourselves on the back for being so “#woke.” Ableism is still a major issue, and many of us have had to worry about #eugenics in the case of pandemic shortages. As well, “genetic discoveries” are often driven by the desire to eradicate a gene - leading to the termination of lives, based solely on genetic differences. It’s NOT okay.
A reminder to all of those with a #limbdifference, #ptosis, #scarring, #alopecia, #vitiligo, #scoliosis, #mobility issues, #speech differences, & other discernible differences & disabilities...you’re a beautiful, unique human being. To those with #InvisibleIllness - your struggles are VALID🙌🏻
To everyone else - we’re not villains, or the butt of a “joke.”
#ActuallyAutistic #PissedOff
