Asperger's and political activism...........

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......don't mix very well.

For a start, I can't go on any anti-war marches, since I don't like crowds.

Then, I think to myself, to join a progressive pressure group like Amnesty or World Development Movement, by I don't much like meetings, and I don't have the transport to get there.

Not sure what to do guys. Are any of you involved in activism or the counter-culture? How does your asperger's affect this??

i am less "physically" active than i was, for various reasons. however, i "campaign" via the internet, by post, and by example. i talk to friends about stuff. i post it here. i challenge the things i think are wrong, where i can. i support various groups financially (albeit a pittance, cos i ain't well off). but i suppose the greatest way is by example - by "walking my talk", as the saying goes.

i couldn't go on the anti-war marches, as i was suffering from severe depression (amongst other things) at the time. but i supported those who did, again, financially, by emails etc.

when there were the protests at Newbury about the bypass (people in the UK may remember this), i never went there, as i'm a physical coward - i couldn't spend days up a tree, let alone face the cherry pickers and violent security men. i did give some financial support, but still felt i wasn't doing enough. however, i was told by one of my friends who DID spend several weeks hanging by his earlobe from a tree that the protesters couldn't have continued if it weren't for gifts of money and food, etc. we all have our ways of supporting stuff, some at the coal face, as it were, and some behind the scenes.

this is what i meant by "doing what one can", in another thread.

In case you guys haven't noticed me talking about my political views, I only really do it online. If I was an political activist (in any way, shape or form), I'd be making a web page and doing my activism from there. From behind a computer screen an a long list of HTML coding.

Other than that, I've found many politcal activist demonstrations to be rather annoying and unnecessary. Usually, there are too many people and way too much noise and stuff going on to make sense of it all.

my friend (NT) goes to loads of protests. i love hearing about the arguments he's had with policemen and other figures of authority! i wish i could be as politically active as he is.
i have attended some smaller protests which i really enjoyed. shouting your opinions at people you disapprove of can feel so theraputic it counter-acts the stress of being in a crowd! although there is always a risk of being singled-out by a member of the opposition so i would recommend going with someone you know and ask them to stay close to you and help you make your way through the noise and movement.

I have my own secret ways of getting across messages. The internet is a lovely tool for that though...

oh, and i used to be a steward (marshall, possibly, in the US) on a lot of rallies and marches (anti-racist, education cuts, miner's strike etc.), which means you get to wear a delightful fluorescent tabard (8O), but you also get to walk outside the heaving masses. could be a way of doing it without the horror of all the crowds.

I have been to the republican march to mourn the 20th anniversary of the passing of Bobby Sands.

Didn't fancy going to ground in a tunnel, then? Who was that guy on the news... was it Swampy?

Anyway, the other side of the coin is that during those protest many self-employed people in the Civil Engineering industry, going about their lawful business, get expensive equipment damaged by "peaceful" protesters. Although I agree, it's right to to take a stand for what you believe in, it's unfortunate that a certain minority who engage in those types of activities are nothing but thugs who get a kick out of intimidating people.



Me neither. I get confused when I'm around lots of people.

I guess this makes me The Exception yet again...

I don't really care about politics... nor activism... I've not had reason to care either.

GA

that's him, gawd love him. apparently, he was a bit of a twit, in real life (i have several friends who knew him). but he walked his talk.

Once I have a job, I want to be active in the NRA and the Republican party. For social matters, I plan on being active in the Boy Scouts again.

I want to protest hurricanes.

I'm very active in my own way (you may have noticed some of my online diatribes)

I'm not into party politics; both parties are so screwed up, neither represents the people.

But I take my life in my hands whenever I go for a drive.

Bumper sticker # 1: Bush lied and you know it
#2: If you voted for Bush you have blood on your hands
Coming soon, to complete the triangle: If Bush lied then he is a mass murderer

I expect to get shot or run off the road at any time;
fortunately, I live in Massachusetts, which minimizes the risk.

I love it ed!! ! LOL

How about voting for Nader??

It is shocking and kinda of sad to see that when people think of political activism, they think of it as dealing with national politics and protesting. It could be further from the truth.

Ever:
Send a letter to your federal or state representative.
Called or talked to your mayor or council member
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper
Assist a politician (at any level) to win their election bid
Go to a public meeting and speak up about an issue that affects you (The Hyde Park NY School District was glad to be rid of me because of this).
Run for an elected position yourself
Assists others (Especially other adults on the spectrum) in registering to vote and in voting
Assist a organization politcal/legislative arm in setting policy and convincing lawmakers

All of this is political activism. You do not have to do something big or support a big national issue to be a political activist. You do not have to practice civil disobediance to be a political activist. The small things do get results too. Maybe the 2000 elections results would have been different if every aspie able to vote was registered and voted?

Yes my mum is my local council representative and i helped deliver leaflets when i was younger though i dont any longer. I have also campaigned and delivered leaflets in the past for other candidates in the local and national elections.