As many people know the Autism Hub has been going through many changes after its previous operator shut down the site due to people attacking his character. Well the new operators have decided to try something new – hide behind a curtain of anonymity. Frankly this to me starts paving the road to the death of Autism Hub.
The Mission Statement
The Autism Hub seeks to promote diversity and human rights, with ethics and reality as the core guiding principles; aspects include: empowerment/advocacy, acceptance, and a positive outlook.
The idea of an anonymous group leading this blog contradicts there mission statement of ethics and reality. When you are anonymous there is no way to make sure you are upholding ethics and while your in a reality people have no way of knowing what reality – if its even related to the Autism Spectrum. You also can’t go around promoting diversity when you hide who runs the ship – how are we to know if its really diverse or run by just one person?
Activism
Like it or not blogging about Autism is a form of activism, and is even becoming a political hot topic. When your an activist you need to have a face and name to your work or frankly your going to loose all credibility. While the Autism Hub does not engage in direct activism it was often a central clearing house for Autism Activists feelings, statements and opinions online.
The way Autism Hub is run now would be like a political candidate running from office issuing written statements anonymously. There would be no public trust of the candidate and his campaign would be ineffective. The Autism Hub has become ineffective.
Its Dirty
Yes, activism is dirty. Your going to be attacked when people don’t like what you have to say. Previous Autism Hub operators were attacked frequently by people with opposing view points. I have been attacked for having opposing viewpoints by Autism Speaks – yes the nationwide organization that claims to advocate for people like me. I have even been attacked by people on the spectrum for saying Gary McKinnon should go to jail for disabling US Military Computer Systems in a hacking attempt. Welcome to activism. Autism is a hot topic, and hot topics involve conflict and debate often leading into attacks.
I’m not the only one who gets attacked. Autism Activists such as Amanda Baggs, Alex Plank, Ari Ne’man and many others. My point is if your going to be effective in activism your going to be attacked. Its comes with the turf.
In Closing
In closing I want to say I hope the Autism Hub once again becomes an effective and useful place for Autism Advocacy and Activism.
Related Posts |
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Zach, I too have been sorry to see the decline of the Autism Hub. It is very important to me to be able to read the blogs of many diverse writers on and off the spectrum, such as yourself.
Thank you…. i appreciate knowing people appreciate what I do.