He had absurd levels of ridiculous, reckless optimism. He always looked to the future. He was sensitive, kind and thoughtful in ways most people aren’t observant enough to be.
Parents of autistic children know that the ignorance about autistic behavior and what autism means can be a death sentence for their autistic children. That’s what happened to Matthew Rushin.
Osime Brown is in prison for being autistic while Black.
The UK today is a land of austerity steeped in racism. Osime Brown is feeling the weight of centuries of violent oppression.
After part 1 of this series published, reader responses unanimously opined about the lack of awareness and training by police officers. Did the Virginia Beach Police Department lack training? The facts.
When people think of autism, Raymond Babbit in Rain Man, Christian Wolff in The Accountant, or Sheldon in Big Bang Theory, may come to mind. These negative stereotypes persist in popular culture despite increased positive representation for autistic characters. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (SPOP) is different.
“I know why Matthew Rushin said he wished he was dead, and why that was the furthest thing from admitting to trying to commit suicide via car accident.”
Matthew Rushin, a young Black autistic and ADHD man, was a mechanical engineering student at Old Dominion University when a traffic accident lead to a sentence which would
Autistic kids and adults, especially autistic people of color, are victims of state-sanctioned police brutality. Florida’s Baker Act law is written in a way that empowers police to remove autonomy and freedom for displaying normal autistic traits.
Whoever invented the “sticks and stones” parable was a liar. Words hurt, especially parents who talk about autism like a burden. Words can lead to physical hurt. So, choose your words wisely. Autistic lives depend on it.
Andrew Wolfheart Sanchez challenges the media to stick to its ethics code and stop contributing to the loss of Black and autistic lives.
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