Thread by @MorenikeGO

I respect Finn’s clarification & concur. Not all signatories experienced the specific conflicts noted in the memo- though several, named & unnamed, did. (I didn’t have personal conflicts either.) All authors share a desire for more inclusive, transparent practices @ ASAN, though.

https://twitter.com/phineasfrogg/status/1406307615605411846

I will try to make edits to the letter, but I have been having difficulty accessing the site it’s posted on, so I don’t know how quickly the changes can be made.
I do want to emphasize that as I have stated repeatedly, I harbor no ill will toward @autselfadvocacy. (thread)

The Open Letter is addressed to the ASAN Board & ED because that’s who’s in charge there. Not because I hate them, or want them to be vilified or canceled. Not because I have any personal grievances w/any of them (I don’t). That’s what makes this whole thing so painful to do.

“To whom much is given, much is required.” ASAN is the largest, oldest, & most visible Autistic-led org in the world that’s still in operation. It just is. With that role comes a lot of responsibility. That isn’t personal. It’s just the truth. And I get that no one is perfect.

I also know what it’s like to be in the “hot seat.” When I was the Chair of the ACTG GCAB, I had to endure criticism & scrutiny as a result of my position. Several times I had to atone for & resolve problems that I’d inherited, barely knew about, & hadn’t had anything to do with.

It wasn’t fun. And I would have loved to have pointed out that I hadn’t caused said problem & that in some cases I hadn’t even been aware of said problem. That was all true. But it wouldn’t have fixed the predicament we were all in now. It wouldn’t have moved us forward.

I took (many) “lumps” as a result of other people’s mistakes. It sucked. But by acknowledging the depth of the problem(s) & making genuine efforts to openly implement timely & practical solutions, our collective community overcame the hurdles. Bruised & battered…but together.

The Open Letter & memo contain various people’s truths, & nothing has been included that isn’t corroborated. But that doesn’t mean, that if there are 12 authors, all 12 of us experienced bullet point 3 on page 4 (just throwing out a random number). Maybe 4 ppl did, or 2. Not all.

I was on ASAN’s Board for several years. We’ve had internal discussions about my concerns & they all know my POV. I also hope they know that I don’t hate them nor think they’re awful people nor do I think ASAN is an awful org. Quite the contrary. This has never been about that.

I’ll go on record to state that years ago, in one of the most difficult periods of my life, ASAN supported me & my family. I have never forgotten that & I never will. Me wanting to see growth & improvement isn’t an indictment of the people there whom I care for & respect.

But this is bigger than just that. I am, & always will be, a BIPoC Autistic person, & that’s where my true loyalty lies. WITH MY PEOPLE. I MUST speak up on behalf of my people. Against ASAN…against ANYONE. When it comes to matters of principle, I will always follow my heart.

Please note the updated memo: MorenikeGO.com/Memo-to-ASAN-2…