by Monika Brooks
Last weekend I was on a Tech Break... I came back to emails and Posts asking me about how I felt about Joe Scarborough. My First Reaction was that he probably said something about the election.
Although he didn't want to make "a generalization," MSNBC's Joe Scarborough assumed that James Holmes, The accused person in the Aurora, CO Shooting, was on the "Autism Scale.." and apparently told people so on his show "Morning Joe." sigh
Joe Scarborough is given credibility because of his previous position in US Congress and the fact that his Son is diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. He is a noted author and claims to be a supporter of education programs across the country. Scarborough is someone that has pull in places where Celebs don't... His phone calls on the Hill get answered.
So Let's play a game.
Lets give into Scarborough's assumption that folks on the "Autism Scale" (in this case Mr. Scarborough pointed out 'Asperger's') "have this Trait. Now let me give you the information that my son was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum at age 4. Now add the fact that People of Color are being harassed, arrested and Shot at alarming rates around the country. Let's add the information that Blacks/Latinos are the least diagnosed and most suspended in the US School System. Now understand that Scarborough used to be in the position to create laws...
Yeah, that's why he is worse than Denis Leary and 50 Cent Combined...
It is unacceptable that Scarborough is allowed to provide a half-hearted apology and a say that he will continue to work with the Autism Speaks organization and have folks think its OK. His work so far has not provided him any additional awareness so far, Don't let this slide. His words are no more powerful than yours
In addition to her position as co-founder of the Mocha Autism Network, Monika Brooks is a Leadership and Diversity Consultant, radio host, and Advocate for Parents with children on Autism Spectrum. She can be reached by email here.
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