Thread by @JHMarble

Watching the series #MrsAmerica (@MrsAm_FXonHulu), I suddenly realized that an entire generation of women and queer people grew up not knowing the terror that was Phyllis Schlafly.

Schlafly’s activism constantly shamed gay kids like me growing up in evangelical homes in the 80s.

At the same time, I’m really happy that the series has humanized Schlafly. She was human. She did what she did out of love.

That might be odd to hear, but rarely are people pure evil. Often, the most damaging things people do are done from a place of good intent.

Being on the receiving end of Schlafly’s activism also taught me early on about the power of true grassroots organizing. Hers was a model I learned from and adapted...deliciously taking those lessons and using them to organize for LGBT rights (and now autistic equality).

🌈🌈🌈

If you haven’t yet seen @MrsAm_FXonHulu, it’s an outstanding, compelling series on the feminist movement and the battle to enact the #ERA.

For my other #ActuallyAutistic advocates, it presents a template as we organize our own community...

It deals with the inherent conflict every movement experiences:

*The need to be firm, the need to compromise;

*The need to work the inside, the need to pressure from the outside;

*The need to speak truth; the need to speak language in a manner that others understand.

And...

It shows the inherent need to build movements that are representative of all AND the need to build capacity & space specific to the needs of specific communities.

i.e. Don’t just build a white movement. Also, be excited & supportive when those unlike you create their own space.

As autistic advocates, we do not have the same access to resources, capital, and power that those who control the narrative around autism have. What we do have are the lessons of history to learn from and the momentum of history on our side.

It is a PRECIOUS gift and resource to be an #ActuallyAutistic movement at this time. Although autistic people have been working for decades, as a movement we are still relatively new.

So, let’s ensure we build a movement of, and led by, #AllAutistics. THAT’S how we win.

Many others have pointed this out. @Cal__Montgomery has written on the need for leadership by Autistics with developmental disabilities. @BeingKaylaSmith has rang the alarm on empowering autistic people of color. @HariSri108 is showing why non-speaking Autistics must be centered.

Y’all, I am duct taping together @PivotDiversity with no money. I’ve spent my savings to fund advocacy. I pinch every penny I have. But, being a white guy in this space is a rich privilege. And damn is it joyous to spend that privilege to shift attention to others not like me.

People welcome me because they understand autism from a white male frame. But, then I get to be the person who connects them to autistic communities they never imagined.

It’s like on the ‘Price is Right’ when the door pulls back to reveal a new car. “You get #AllAutistics!!!”

*Pausing this thread to share a somewhat-related gif of Oprah, which is one of the best gifs ever made.

🐝🐝🐝

And while I primarily learned that organizing lesson from friends who are POC, I also learned that lesson early-on from Phyllis Schflafly.

Her early activism was primarily w/in her Catholic community. But, her movement gained power by working w/ Evangelicals, Mormons, & others.

So, if we are to build an effective #ActuallyAutistic movement, it must center and be led by #AllAutistics. Where any of us find privilege, may we give it over to the cause so that we can spend it as common resource.

It’s funny how thinking of Phyllis Schlafly, who caused me such pain in my childhood, instills in me such hope for our movement today.

History can be deliciously ironic at times.

Oh, and #ShirleyChisholm!!! I’m so excited that part of her story is being told by @MrsAm_FXonHulu.

When it comes to organizing, I often repeat her quote: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

❤️♾🪑