Neurodivergent strength lists written for the fabulous additions we bring to schools and workplaces have become really unsettling for me lately. When I started thinking about what I’m supposed to be stronger in and what the strengths would be used for, it all went downhill from there. Because what’s the point in listing my neurodivergent strengths if not to say, “not only can I uphold the systems of oppression as well as any one else, but my neurodivergence means I could potentially do it better.”
And now I’m left wondering why so many ND activist etc, would keep choosing to dehumanise us all for systems that continue to exploit us at every turn.
Oh yeah, this is a big reason why I’m so wary of the white neurodivergent narrative. In addition to what you said, this ethos somehow manages to also…. generalize neurodivergence as inherent dysfunction while ignoring outstanding disability politics. We’re prime capitalist cogs yet also doomed to be messes with no quality of life. It’s possible to imagine another way of being that capitalizes (lol) on the way neurodivergent people function collectively (i.e. shifting outside of an individual strength + resilience mindset) to radically oppose the system which separates us, lead healthier lives, and uplift those neurodivergent people at several margins of oppression who need it most in the process of it all
Yesssss to all of this!! Whew! Also, I appreciate you adding community into this comment as well. This is another thing that just gets me frustrated all the time and why white ND ppl just cannot lead advocacy efforts. They come at it from a place that doesn’t know how to be in community first off but that’s seen in how they rarely uplift the most marginalised. Those strengths lists aren’t made with everyone in mind that’s for sure.
I won't lie in the beginning I kind of bought this sh*t, after years of low self-esteem. A kind of beginner's trap. I'm a bit ashamed of myself for initially falling for it a bit, but what I've learned with you, is to become more vigilant about what narrative is sold to us, whom it benefits and who it hurts (sorry for my grammar I'm tired)
Aww thank you, my friend! I fell for it too. It’s very much a thing that’s used with ND kids too, which is another thought I have that pisses me off but I digress.
Also, feel free to not apologise for your grammar. If it helps the policing of grammar is another white supremacy characteristic that’s connected to professionalism (which I also have thoughts on too but again, I digress). ❤️
Omg literally DITTO TO EVERYTHING U HVE SAID HERE!!!!!! EspECIALLY the “what you've learned with Sandra” part cos me too!!!!!!!! I did not realise the way it was killing me before Sandra 🥹
Sandra I am actually screeching with emotion - ahhhhhhghhghhhgghhhhhhhhhhhhh YES YES YES YES YES oh my fos. God. “not only can I uphold the systems of oppression as well as any one else, but my neurodivergence means I could potentially do it better.”
Kinda got me thinking abt your creativity comment in another thread when you were like, I can be creative and then I get told, but not like that or celebrated for it when I am.
Oh yeah, this is a big reason why I’m so wary of the white neurodivergent narrative. In addition to what you said, this ethos somehow manages to also…. generalize neurodivergence as inherent dysfunction while ignoring outstanding disability politics. We’re prime capitalist cogs yet also doomed to be messes with no quality of life. It’s possible to imagine another way of being that capitalizes (lol) on the way neurodivergent people function collectively (i.e. shifting outside of an individual strength + resilience mindset) to radically oppose the system which separates us, lead healthier lives, and uplift those neurodivergent people at several margins of oppression who need it most in the process of it all
Yesssss to all of this!! Whew! Also, I appreciate you adding community into this comment as well. This is another thing that just gets me frustrated all the time and why white ND ppl just cannot lead advocacy efforts. They come at it from a place that doesn’t know how to be in community first off but that’s seen in how they rarely uplift the most marginalised. Those strengths lists aren’t made with everyone in mind that’s for sure.
Oh yes all of this 🔥🔥🔥
I won't lie in the beginning I kind of bought this sh*t, after years of low self-esteem. A kind of beginner's trap. I'm a bit ashamed of myself for initially falling for it a bit, but what I've learned with you, is to become more vigilant about what narrative is sold to us, whom it benefits and who it hurts (sorry for my grammar I'm tired)
Aww thank you, my friend! I fell for it too. It’s very much a thing that’s used with ND kids too, which is another thought I have that pisses me off but I digress.
Also, feel free to not apologise for your grammar. If it helps the policing of grammar is another white supremacy characteristic that’s connected to professionalism (which I also have thoughts on too but again, I digress). ❤️
Omg literally DITTO TO EVERYTHING U HVE SAID HERE!!!!!! EspECIALLY the “what you've learned with Sandra” part cos me too!!!!!!!! I did not realise the way it was killing me before Sandra 🥹
Sandra I am actually screeching with emotion - ahhhhhhghhghhhgghhhhhhhhhhhhh YES YES YES YES YES oh my fos. God. “not only can I uphold the systems of oppression as well as any one else, but my neurodivergence means I could potentially do it better.”
OMG OMG OMGOMGOMG
Kinda got me thinking abt your creativity comment in another thread when you were like, I can be creative and then I get told, but not like that or celebrated for it when I am.
oh gosh. I get annoyed every time I see these.
I read one where it said "athletic ability." Errrrr nope. Not all of us.
Not all of us are good in a crisis, or super duper creative thinkers.
Some of us need more** time to process, not less.
It’s almost like we’re not allowed to have individual differences or some of the things we struggle with actually BE disabling or something?! Smdh