A call to action

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I stumbled across two comments on deviantART that I consider hate speech against those with Asperger's Syndrome, but dA said they did not violate the Terms of Service. Those comments are clearly hate speech!

So I decided to start a petition. If you are Autistic, or know someone who is Autistic, please sign.

http://www.change.org/petitions/deviant ... s-syndrome

dont like the comments but i support freedom of speech

I don't think there's anything wrong with his first comment. The second seems like a personal attack, but nothing too extraordinary considering it's the internet. I don't think either comment is hate speech.

I think you will get better results if you focus on the second comment.

The first comment was written in a forum where someone had openly asked everybody for their opinions about autism, so he openly gave his opinion. It was also somewhat true (although he could have put it more nicely)- nobody likes people who flaunt their mental health diagnoses for attention and sympathy.

The second comment was much more offensive because because of the language he used and because it was uncalled-for. He was making a personal attack against someone who hadn't said anything to him or mentioned their autism at all. I think you would have a much better chance of getting this comment removed if you focus on it and just ignore the other comment.

Deviantart is e-Hell. This is just normal activity.

This campaign is far from over, just so you know.

have signed it.
their attitudes woudnt be so freely given to the e-population if it was towards cerebral palsy or brain injury,its an accepted form of hate that has become masked as an unpopular opinion.

I went back and read it again and even though it's unpleasant, I dont think it qualifies as hate speech. He's entitled to speak his opinion. And hes not suggesting any action against anyone.
So I'm still not signing it.

I checked his comments. He's a douchebag with the opinions of a douchebag This kind of over sensitivity is what he's talking about. It's not the end of the world. Who cares? Let him stew in his anti-aspie juices and get even by living well. If everyone tries to do that he won't have anything to whine about.

The poster is clearly an ass.

However, I hate censorship more than I hate stupid, hateful people.

In fact, sensors often are small, hateful people.

I support you in being offended by the jerk. I'd recommend a thoughtful, reasoned refutation of his idiocy.

But I do not want to live in a society where sticking one's foot in one's mouth and acting like a jackass is a criminal offense. In such as society, everyone would be uptight and most would be criminals.

I see your point. However, I support free speech, in a general forum. If he said that in a workplace or situation of responsibility, that would be different.

By what I can see from his username, he might have a photography business. You might want to locate advocacy groups in his area and make them aware of his posts. A local boycott might be more effective. Freedom of expression is a two-way street.

That is why I see this online petition as different then the one I attempting (very poorly) against Psychology Today

Very well said. You too BuyerBeware. Someone once said we have freedom of speech precisely because of the opinions we disagree with. I don't like when people think freedom of speech ends when their feelings being. Obviously suggesting that we round up and exterminate the untermensch is different but let's face it, thinking aspies can be f**k faces (when yes, there are such people in every group) doesn't really cut it as hate speech to me.