Double standards in media representation

Post Reply New Topic

When we stand up to parodies made by Neurotypicals that exaggerate and stereotype Autistic behavior, we're often said to "lack a sense of humor." Example: The "Asperger's High" video.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFt2aZvg3qE[/youtube]

But when an Autistic makes a parody, we're often just considered "arrogant." Example: The Institute for the Study of the Neurologically Typical site.

http://hem.spray.se/erik.engdahl/autism/isnt/

Anybody else outraged by this? And does anybody else have any other good examples of double standards regarding Autistics in the media and pop culture?

I don't get it.

Annoyed, but not outraged. I think that aiming for better media representation of aspies (or whatever group) is a great thing to aim for, but we're not going to change perceptions by getting fighting mad. Just my two cents.

I must admit, I laughed a few times.

I thought the "Asperger High" video was very funny actually. I was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting it to be unfunny.

I would highly consider being friends with those characters.

I actually enjoyed the Asperger's High video. If it were a real show, I'd totally watch it (and probably buy the DVDs too).

This video was brilliant. I'm pretty sure they are lampooning the double standard you speak of.

This video has been posted before. I found it hilarious. So is the "isnt" site.

If we can't laugh at ourselves, maybe we really don't have a sense of humor.

But I think we can. We just have to not take ourselves so seriously. Who cares what people think? There's always going to be some stick in the mud that criticizes humor. So what?

I'll laugh at whatever tickles my funny bone. I don't worry about the critics. Their problems are their problems, not mine.

I don't believe there is any double standard either. I highly doubt the people who laugh at this video are the same ones criticizing the isnt site, or vice versa for the most part. It's mostly different people criticizing different things. It's not very likely a media conspiracy or double standard IMO.

Just make more quality parodies of NTs.. if aspies like them. Then it's just fine!

Even prisoners in the WWII concentration camps laughed at the misery to be able to remain sane. So this should not be a problem.

Same for me. Also, I imagine that aspies can find it humorous in a way that others might not, since it would be more akin to laughing at a parody of one's own oddities. (Rather than than taking them very seriously.) To me it's usually more fun to laugh at yourself than it is to laugh at others since that just seems a bit vindictive. Though I also tend to think that people ought to be able to make parodies of whatever they will.

I guess if the parody was of something a bit more personal/painful it could seem somewhat callous. Most of the things there looked like fairly superficial issues, revolving around weird facial expressions and special interests. (Which to me was just cute.) If they portrayed as funny someone with aspergers living with horrible, loud roommates while going through the panic attack-inducing stress of adjusting to a new environment, I think I might feel a bit differently about it.

I found the video funny. It's not like it's an attack or anything, it's a parody.

I totally agree! And believe me, that's never been my approach!

OK. Cool ^^

*thinks hard* Should I be happy about that? *imitates happy face*

Sorry, I didn't know this was posted before.

I generally don't take myself too seriously and I do laugh at myself. I might find this somewhat funny if I wasn't so stressed out at the moment.

I know I shouldn't care what other people think, but unfortunately, I do not have a very think skin when it comes to criticism.

As for the double standard, I was going by personal experiences and encounters with people I've had before.

This is cool, are they actually going to make it a series?