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I can’t get my head off of Sia’s shitty video. That clip is really etched in.
These are not coherent thoughts but I’m thinking abt Maddie in the orange segment
& the blurring of the divide between fantasy & real life
These are not coherent thoughts but I’m thinking abt Maddie in the orange segment
& the blurring of the divide between fantasy & real life
Sia was aiming for “accurate representation” of autism (yeah right) but put her character in an overstimulating strobe light environment right, so we have a clear mixing of fantasy -
I’ve not met an autistic so could readily inhabit that space right, + concurrence of epilepsy
I’ve not met an autistic so could readily inhabit that space right, + concurrence of epilepsy
But the kicker for me is the stimming. Like yes, some of us do stim like that & likely would in that environment if we were put in it.
But I’m finding the blackfishing to be particularly insidious in this context.
Like. From an intersectional lens we know that systemic racism +
But I’m finding the blackfishing to be particularly insidious in this context.
Like. From an intersectional lens we know that systemic racism +
disability does not equal good options for Black disabled people.
So in the context of a Black child stimming to that extent visibly... - I am just so frustrated. Like. I can’t even properly explain this but the way race intersects with disability
So in the context of a Black child stimming to that extent visibly... - I am just so frustrated. Like. I can’t even properly explain this but the way race intersects with disability
Means that a black child stimming publicly to that extent would endanger that child pretty fucking quickly.
So there’s just layers to this fantasy of Sia’s. A superimposition of race, of disability, & of danger.
There’s only so much suspended belief.
So there’s just layers to this fantasy of Sia’s. A superimposition of race, of disability, & of danger.
There’s only so much suspended belief.
Like whichever way you slice it it was gonna be a shit show.
But the (silent) conversation around race on this one is a secondary kicker. Just that silent killer you’ve got to tease out to understand.
Still mumbled in my brain.
But the (silent) conversation around race on this one is a secondary kicker. Just that silent killer you’ve got to tease out to understand.
Still mumbled in my brain.
So: Sia was actively racist (Blacl family happy their autistic relative was dead because it was a curse/sin), forced a child into cripping up, facilitated blackfishing, the dangerous restraint hold.
All as a “love letter to caregivers” that was based on a Black autistic child???
All as a “love letter to caregivers” that was based on a Black autistic child???
I’m just seething. To me, just from this clip, the ultimate element of fantasy is the thought that a Black child could visibly stim and/or meltdown without being in immediate danger.
It’s how we get killed. The intersection of racism and disability is not a kind one.
It’s how we get killed. The intersection of racism and disability is not a kind one.
Particularly with non-normative behaviours (like big stims) that might be wrongly (and more readily) interpreted as the impact of drugs or mental illness.
I know white autistic people are also treated terribly by those who uphold institutional values, but we know who
I know white autistic people are also treated terribly by those who uphold institutional values, but we know who
the more at risk person would be if it came to a white person stimming and a black one.
Does this apply to children? Yes, I think so. Age as a protector functions differently in the face of anti-blackness. Our kids are aged up.
Does this apply to children? Yes, I think so. Age as a protector functions differently in the face of anti-blackness. Our kids are aged up.
Which just circles back to fantasy for me. There’s just so much fantasy engaged with in this portrayal. So much asked of an audience.
Bcus let’s be real. Autistic people are not the audience. We’re accidental and incidental.
Black autistics even more so.
Bcus let’s be real. Autistic people are not the audience. We’re accidental and incidental.
Black autistics even more so.
Final other thought about this shit show and Sia:
the black autistic child she’s been “inspired” by.
Have you paid them for all these behaviours you’ve mined from them?
What is the extent of the exploitation in that relationship??
Who tf is letting Sia near this child?
the black autistic child she’s been “inspired” by.
Have you paid them for all these behaviours you’ve mined from them?
What is the extent of the exploitation in that relationship??
Who tf is letting Sia near this child?
Absolutely fucked to be a source of inspiration then to have your personal SELF SOOTHING REGULATORY AND PERFECTLY NORMAL behaviours caricatured like this.
My heart fucking goes out to them.
Fuck Sia.
My heart fucking goes out to them.
Fuck Sia.
