 |
| This is MY passion... |
Now that that is out of the way, I should begin. This is my letter to Mr. Joe Scarborough, a.k.a Douchebag, in response to his unfounded conclusions between Autism and being a murderer. Yes, you did read that correctly. So, here goes:
Dear Mr. Scarborough,
You sir, are an idiot. Not just any kind of idiot either. You are the kind of close-minded, open-mouthed, idiot that really should never be in the public eye. I am thoroughly disgusted to see that despite having a son on the spectrum, you believe that many "shooters" commit these crimes because they are on the spectrum.
Just because some of the anti-social behaviors of those on the spectrum (though, keep in mind that many are friendly and fully functional in social settings) mimic those of a person who is rather mentally unstable (psychopath, sociopath, etc) DOES NOT mean that there is a link between the two. While I do have to commend you for acknowledging that you know NOTHING about the Colorado shooter, I just can't fathom how you drew that conclusion.
And while we're already here, what's to stop you from saying that rapists, pedophiles, thieves, and serial killers are also this way because of some "undiagnosed spectrum disorder"? I am being serious. Is this where your comments are hinting to? Is this what you really think of people on the Autism Spectrum as a whole?
SHAME. ON. YOU.
For someone who has a child on the spectrum, you should be advocating awareness of the disorder and not drawing false conclusions about the "link" between Autism and murder. That makes you look like a horrible (not to mention ignorant) person and a terrible father. How do you think it makes your son feel to know that his daddy thinks that Autism disorders lead to murderers? Do you treat him differently, perhaps less kind or empathetical, because you think this way (I'm sure your kid is wondering this too now)? How are you going to justify these conclusions and remarks?
These kinds of comments are what breeds discrimination, hate, and lies. These kinds of comments only make the world a harder place for those on the spectrum to navigate through and succeed in. Already you are setting your own child up for failure with these kinds of comments and conclusions.
I believe that you owe the Autism Spectrum community (which is a VERY large one by the way Mr. Scarborough) one hell of a big public apology. Go ahead and do it the same way you told the world you believed this conclusion, on your talk show. I also believe that you should freshen up on your knowledge of mental disorders, because drawing conclusions without facts just makes you look like a douchebag.
Sincerely,
The Mouthy Bitch
I also have to share this wonderful video that was posted after Joe stated his conclusions on public television. This young man, Kerry Magro, is also on the Autism spectrum and calls Scarborough out on his conclusions.
I also encourage everyone to sign this petition demanding Scarborough to retract his unfounded statements and apologize to those on the spectrum and those who love someone on the spectrum. I sure did and I hope you do too!!
That is absolutely INSANE! What the hell is wrong with people???
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew.... :(
DeleteAs someone who worked for almost 6 years teaching children with Autism, I cannot for the life of me, see how he could come to that conclusion.
ReplyDeleteI feel so appalled by his attitude, given that his own son has Aspergers. How must he look upon his own flesh and blood if that's how he sees others?
I'm still in contact with some of 'my kids'. Some have gone on to college, university and have jobs, whilst the more severe on the spectrum will need long term care. Either way, ever have I seen signs denoting 'future mass murderer' in any of the kids. The man is an asshat!
I agree 100%!! I can't imagine the opinion he must harbor for his own son. It is appalling and saddening all at the same time.
DeleteFor whatever reason, I am drawn to children on the Autism spectrum. I can "click" with them and just love the feeling I get when I watch them accomplish their goals :) This is why I want to work with them long-term (someday).
I can also say that I have never--not even in one of the more violence-prone children I worked with--seen precursors to becoming a murderer. I can't begin to fathom how that conclusion actually happened in his head.
One last thing, I have to say I laughed so hard to see that you called him an asshat. That was originally what I had called him but I couldn't take all the red squiggly lines on my screen!! :D Love it!
What a way to set back thinking about a whole group of people. Speechless I am Speechless
ReplyDeleteAt first I didn't know what to say either...Then rage, shock, and utter disgust took over. It stuns me the amount of ignorance in the world sometimes....And statements from people like this is the reason there is so much hate in the world :(
DeleteThat's such a shame for anyone to cast a shadow of doubt and blame over people that have to struggle harder just to live normally anyway. One only has to watch the news on any given day to hear about supposedly ordinary people doing horrible things.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, that's wonderful that you have found your passion in working with autistic children. I worked briefly with brain injured adults, and know how much patience and compassion a job like that took, but also how worthwhile it was.
It really rather surprises people that I am passionate about working one on one with autistic children because I honestly am not a patient person. For some reason, however, I have all the patience in the world with them and the rewards of seeing them accomplish each small goal, each step towards the bigger goals, is an indescribable feeling :)
DeleteThanks for reading! I agree with you about simply turning on the news to see ordinary people doing horrible things. And in the same context, simply doing that will point out the many special needs victims targeted by "normal" people. It is truly heartbreaking.
Wait, was he saying that kids with mental issues are likely to become murderers or that murderers are likely to have mental issues?
ReplyDeleteThis is a direct quote of part of what he said to the nation on his morning talk show....
Delete"As soon as I heard about this shooting, I knew who it was. I knew it was a young, white male, probably from an affluent neighborhood, disconnected from society -- it happens time and time again. Most of it has to do with mental health; you have these people that are somewhere, I believe, on the autism scale," said Scarborough, whose son has Asperger's syndrome. "I don't know if that's the case here, but it happens more often than not. People that can walk around in society, they can function on college campuses -- they can even excel on college campuses -- but are socially disconnected."
I suppose you could draw both conclusions from what he said......
My thinking is if he was saying most murderers have mental issues, then it's just a misunderstanding. If he meant what Kerry Magro believes he meant, then yes that was a terrible thing to say.
DeleteI would have an easy time believing it was a misunderstanding if all he had said was that in most cases, like what happened in Colorado, it has to do with mental health and had then just left it at that. However, I can't believe it to be a misunderstanding because the actual sentence he used is this:
Delete"Most of it has to do with mental health; you have these people that are somewhere, I believe, on the autism scale"
If he had not tacked on that comment on the end of his original statement, I am sure that there would not have been such a backlash from the community against him. However, adding that last part to it is definitely what I find outrageous! Especially coming from a man with a son on the spectrum :(
Well I pray it doesn't come to that :P
DeleteAs do I :)
Delete