Boycott Now!
Dear community,
Many of you have supported the protests against Jerry Lewis receiving a humanitarian award at the Oscars for his involvement with the MDA telethon. Similarly, the autistic self advocacy community is calling on folks to boycott Lindt Chocolates for supporting Autism Speaks, an organization that promotes a strong eugenic agenda, spreads its message through fear and pity, and denies the voices of autistics by only having parents and nondisabled professionals serve in leadership positions. Many of you will recognize Autism Speaks as the organization with the puzzle piece logo (connected to the idea that autistics have something missing and need nondisabled people to find the puzzle piece).
graphic made by Bev at Asperger Square 8
Boycotts hit them where it hurts the hardest, let’s mobilize once again and show the world the power of our coming together! You can read more here and shoot Lindt an email here.
In solidarity,
cripchick
(h/t to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network).
Two videos on neurodiversity:
damn there goes the lindt chocolate. and email has been sent. thanks for posting.
gogojojo
7 Mar 09 at 6:12 PM
ooh i didn’t know you read over here, love your blog (and kind of go around everywhere quoting you— ask sean bell’s widow if gay marriage is the last civil rights struggle!)
thanks for sending an email.
cripchick
7 Mar 09 at 7:01 PM
That interview on ABC is so very bad. I don’t think they could have been more condenscending if they’d tried.
Anna
7 Mar 09 at 9:52 PM
@ anna, no kidding, especially the ending. i use the clip since ari and kristina do a good job explaining things for folks who haven’t heard about ND before. do you have any youtube videos to recommend?
cripchick
8 Mar 09 at 3:09 AM
It’s true, they do do a good job of explaining it. Sadly, I can’t think of a better clip. Wow those interviewers were awful though.
That aside, I wrote Lindt. Their response was pretty underwhelming. *sigh*
“Thank you for your email. We appreciate your concerns about our partnership with Autism Speaks, and thank you for taking the time to share them with us.
Lindt supports Autism Speaks for its efforts in raising funds for autism advocacy and is happy to provide support for its continued research efforts. We also recognize the importance of directly supporting people impacted by autism and recently launched a recognition program to honor two individuals who are touched by the effects of autism in their family, home or community. For more information about the program, please visit LindtUnsungHeroes.com. “
Anna
9 Mar 09 at 1:45 PM
If Lindt’s response sounds like a form letter, that’s because it is. Several people whose blogs I read have e-mailed and gotten identical responses.
codeman38
10 Mar 09 at 4:34 PM
Hi Cripchick, I made you a little gift!
Link
You wanted for the bunny button, but I have a black background, so around the red circle, the pic is also black, so I made you a button with a white background, so it’ll look nicer on your blog.
:)
Let me know, if anything doesn’t work, like the downloading, or so.
(It’s the first time I have a public album)
Everyone else is free to use button, too, of course!
Thanks so much for the support!!
Miss Gonzo
11 Mar 09 at 7:08 PM
*you wanted the bunny button…
Apologies for my awkward English, I’m tired, so I can’t write decent sentences anymore!
Miss Gonzo
11 Mar 09 at 7:12 PM
how are you so freaking cool???? thank you SO much!!
cripchick
11 Mar 09 at 8:59 PM
You’re very welcome!!
It sure looks lovely on your blog. :)
And I see you made the link directly to the petition site, that’s even better, I’ll do that, too.
Miss Gonzo
12 Mar 09 at 6:30 AM