The Ableism and Idiocy of the Professional Class
DK's "professional class"
@The Aspie CornerPerhaps I should have stopped sooner when the professional class there decided to give me shit because I couldn't obtain a drivers' license.
You are, of course, correct here.
The "make the able more able and fuck everybody else" anti-ethic puts DK in some nasty company: early 20th Century Fascism, the KKK, etc.
You'd think that "educated professionals" would know better. But obviously, they don't. They're ignoring this aspect of their history, guaranteeing that all of us repeat it.
- fellow Caucus member thanatokephaloides on the ableism of the GOS professional class
As many folks here likely know, I once tried to give disability, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorders, a voice on GOS in part to vent my frustration, but mostly make people aware of the fact that it is much harder for people with disabilities to land or work their way into a job within the realm of the professional class. Like with all disenfranchised groups, even if one or two happen to make it, it's simply for the sake of legitimizing the ableism that is too often seen and ignored in the workforce.
In my short time blogging at GOS, I met many people who understood what I was going through. But there were always those who would bash me in one way or another. This happened a lot when it came to the subject of getting a drivers' license. It didn't matter to detractors that I had tried many times to obtain one, nor did it matter to them that with my conditions I have no business being on highway roads, to them I was just lazy. I was suffering from 'learned helplessness'.
There were also those detractors who told me I should move. Believe me, if I could, I'd leave the US tomorrow and never return. Problem is, I'll never have the money nor the autonomy. And this is on purpose.
The professional class has gone out of its way to make sure that no matter how much education or job training we get, we'll never move into anything we train for. We will never move up in any company because according to the professional class, we hurt their image. That's why most job postings require drivers' licenses, years of experience with programs that are only out for 6 months and so on for entry level positions.
That's why a few months ago I simply quit caring about employment. I did everything I was supposed to do and more, but it'll never be enough in the eyes of the professional class. Does that sound jaded? Bereft of passion, creativity or imagination? Maybe. But that's what happens when people have it all beaten out of them for the sake of keeping up the lie that is the American economy.
See ya around,
Aspie
Comments
someone very close to me is diagnosed
with "mild autism" and ADD (Asperger's being no longer considered a distinct category from autism).
she is 14, and i worry that she will never be able to get a driver's license -- almost as much as i worry that she will. either way, this ain't a great country to live in if you don't drive.
The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
Our city has an extensive system of golf cart paths so our
Aspie son can get around by golf cart. Still, USAA won't insure him because he's an Aspie--not even for a golf cart.
To
He's not really made up to drive a car, especially now with road rage so common. So we drive him where he needs to go if it's out of golf cart range.
He's already been in an accident which was not his fault. At a four-way stop the golf cart path crosses a main intersection. He stopped and a city truck to his left stopped just after. The city worker waved our son through. Unfortunately, another truck came up on the left as well to make a left hand turn. His view of the golf cart was blocked by he city truck, so the other truck driver decided to do an illegal rolling stop. He T-boned the golf cart. Our son freaked out, but the police were great. We went to the accident scene and helped him calm down. The police charged the truck driver since rolling stops are far too common in a town with a lot of four-way stops.
Cruelty and selfishness have been encouraged for a while now. It's not the kind of world I want to live in.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
Wow. Glad I'm not driving then.
@Lily O Lady
That's nuts.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
thank you, Aspie!
thank you, Aspie!
True again!
Most of those who are employed while suffering any sort of disability are, as far as I've ever been able to tell, tokens. The company now has its token (blind, cripple, Aspie, etc., ad nauseum) and doesn't ever need to hire another.
I don't hold this against those holding those positions in any way. These people occupy a niche I wouldn't want to try to hang on to. Among other problems, they are often the first to be laid off when it is time to downsize, no matter how well they do their jobs. When the chips are down, the name of the game in corporate America is perfect conformity, a fact I know I don't need to acquaint you with at all.
Solidarity, amice. And thank Cat we have c99p!
Sean
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
My creeping disabilities have given me great understanding.
And I am a terrible golf cart driver! How sobering.
Aspie, I have one daughter maybe on the spectrum. And one niece. They each have fast-paced responsible employment (in nursing). Not for me...
I hope you can find something satisfying. But two strikes against you, and yes, you butt into a class problem.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
If I was still able to rpactice law
I'd find a way start a class action against employers who exclude people with autism disorders from gaining employment based on inability to get a driver's license.
Seems like a clear violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott
As much as I rag on Nebraskans
the one absolutely awesome aspect of being here is that everybody is part of the community. During one of my first days in Nebraska: As I was walking downtown I slowly became aware that "those others" that are so often hidden away were walking about just like "normal" people. Damn, that was nice.
As I have said before this place is shot through with contradictions.
I would welcome something like that.
@Steven D We just need someone who's willing to take this on. And it's not just hiring practices, but even when we do get jobs, we're treated like total crap.
A few examples
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
Amateurs built the Arc and professionals built the Titanic.
Always remember that.
"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Groucho
How About an eBike?
Depending on your situation, your state's interpretation of Federal law, and your local laws, you may be able to ride an electrical bicycle - i.e. an eBike. 749 Watts or less, 20 miles per hour (on level ground with no pedal assistance) or lower, and some electricity could get you riding. Then, you could fight the license requirement from a stronger position.
I've looked at the pictures of the RadWagon myself. Now how to get $1,600 and a place for parking.
Strange that a harp of thousand strings should keep in tune so long
I have a golf cart and a motorized quad-cycle.
And thankfully I live in a community that actually allows golf carts on sidewalks. Finding a job I can handle in said community is another matter because it seems all there is to do is shop and eat.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.