RANT: It's nobody elses' concern what I like about myself

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One thing I hate is people being snobby about something they have that other people don't have- let's say they've won the lottery. I also hate people being snobby about something they didn't earn, such as someone who is born into wealth, like Paris Hilton. Keep this very close in mind.

But a thing I hate even more is when people think they have the right to tell me what to like or what to not like about myself. For example, nationality; people think you're a bigot for being proud of your nationality. How exactly is that? I don't hate other people for their own nationality- I just don't hate my own country and I'm proud of the things people in my country have done. Now Scotland is not perfect- it is far from perfect, but it's far from absolutely terrible. On one hand, we have a terrible drug problem- on the other hand, students don't have to pay their tuition fees. I live here and I'm probably going to live here most of the time, so I might as well like it or lump it.

Same with my AS: I am proud to be autistic, but not out of supremacy or self-indulgence (far from it- I often have a terrible self esteem). Everybody's got their quirks and everybody's that little bit dysfunctional- who are they to tell me that I shouldn't be proud to be me? It's not up to anyone else but me to say what is or isn't important to my identity. It's my life! My brain is different and perhaps inept in areas but it's the only one I'll have and it's not like I don't have any skills (or that the way my mind is wired doesn' t contribute to those skills).

If it's hard for people to understand this, I'll give you a similar scenario: one day you walked down the street, minding your own business and someone walks up to you and says "you're too ugly to walk down this street- get some plastic surgery and then you'll be forgiven". Screw that- even if I don't think I look good, I'm not going to change because some randomer decided to be a thug. Just like it's none of my business if people have had/want plastic surgery, it's none of anyone's business if I don't want it.

And before anyone says "but you shouldn't be proud of what you didn't earn" then you have no idea what you're talking about. I did earn my pride; I could have just succumed to the idea that I am diseased; I could have accepted that I am inferior; I could have let myself be pitied and treated like some hopeless nobody. I didn't. I worked hard, used what I had (which I found out was actually quite a lot) and never lied to myself that conforming to society's expectations will wash the autism away.

Don't get me wrong- I encourage people to be open about their opinions and I'm being open about mine. I shouldn't have to answer to anyone. If anyone has a problem with me being proud of my autism, then you just don't fully understand how important it has been in my life, so don't pretend you do.

Rant over- I hope there's no hard feelings about this. I don't want to portray those who are against "Autism Pride" as intolerant assholes- sweeping statements are very damaging and I understand that. As long as they're happy (and if they aren't happy, I hope they will be happy with the choices they've made).

I cannot think of a way to articulate your point any better!

I second the above statement ^

People should be more respectful of others' views. I can't tell you how many problems I've had in my life that were due to ignorance, arrogance, and superiority complexes.

Well done, MindBlind.

I don't like pride simply because it can lead 4 above things. Not to mention violence.

I know it doesn't always end up that way, but that doesn't take away from continually made mistakes by those in charge because they're too prideful to admit the mistakes, or to even accept an alternative to their own.

With pride, one should be humble. Not many are humble.

Alright -- its a one man webssite and I appluad the effort...

but with help I wreckon it could be done better...

I really think NT needs to be classified and studied. (marketing companies do it all the time)

The comedy is fine, and funny, but it wreckon it should be done for real. With a hotline and everything.

Hotline Answer Service.... 1800 NORMAL

An Autiitcly abled person will be with you shortly, please hold the line,,, no literally are you holding the line, what line, draw an imaginary one in the air if you cannot equate line with telephone line. Thankyou, youron your first steps to being able to converse aith an Autisticly abled person, all our representatives are busy right now (PAUSE) .... what you didn't hang up, I didn't say anyone would be with you shortly, you should have hung up when I stated that we are all busy.
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