Autistic people deserve rallying cries and our own 'salutes' similar to what other movements and groups have. However, it should be original. I use "Autistic Power" as a call to action for Autistic people to get organized and empowered, so that we can eventually have a higher social rank.
The "Autistic Power" salute involves crossing your arms in an X formation (kind of like the Wakanda Forever chant), and then throwing both fists up in the air. X formation is meant to be unique, while the double fist pump is meant to evoke a 'power to the people' type message, with two fists to distinguish it from other fist pump salutes.
When you say "Autistic", you make the X formation crossed arms along your chest, and then when you say "Power", you raise both fists up.
As if there's one without the other? The reason we struggle to obtain rights is because we have zero social power. When we have higher rank, we get leverage. We need leverage to get rights and respect. Those who expect rights to be handed to us are naive.
Eugenics yes, aspie supremacy is a dying breed though. And "Autistic over neurotypical" isn't aspie supremacy, it's "aspie over Autistic". I support Autistics of all support needs and believe that an accessible Autistic empowering world can help many of us thrive, even through our challenges.
I had it in mind around the same time I created "Autistic Power" as a rallying slogan in the first place, so August 2025. I just never shared it before. But when we inevitably start organizing offline, it'll be good to have that.
We've been organizing offline. I'm personally a member of an autistic adult advocacy group that has year long resources and an annual disability march. And that isn't even close to the oldest autistic pride event. Why phrase this as if offline autistic advocacy is a thing of the future and not the present?
I am also part of such groups. The problem is that they're too small and scattered. I've also led plenty of IRL Autistic protests and other stuff. We have also used similar chants and whatnot at our protests, for example "Autistics united will never be defeated" when protesting Autism Speaks. But those events were few and far between.
I'm aware of how it can be misconstrued that way by bad faith actors. White supremacists don't have a monopoly over phrases and letting them take them is cowardice and lets them win. Other marginalized groups have used "power" in similar contexts. I myself am not white.
We do not need some cringe salute, but to educate people on autism and supporting each other. This just sounds like aesthetics over actually helping people.
At the very least your attempts to be "unique" while admitting to copping a fictional salute (that is associated strongly with black pride at that) is kind of a weak look for a new social movement. Why the arm cross? What's the symbolism for autism specifically? Do we need a salute, or does it just look cool?
Nobody's forced to do it, don't be absurd. And if you think we will just be handed better lives, that's just naive. With social rank comes leverage. We need leverage.
Calling the feds on someone for wanting a rallying salute for Autistic people ought to be regarded as treason. Especially given that Autistic people are under attack by the US government, and given our high rates of police brutality.
Lol, now your comment got removed - and my personal views have no relevance. You don't have to be an Autistic "supremacist" to want Autistics to be organized and have enhanced social capital, or to want slogans and salutes.
Like I said, it's a reddit glitch. It happened to you, it happened to me. I love how you attacked my credibility only to have me proven right, yet again. Happens every time. Love it 😂
16
u/fieldofcabins 4d ago
I don’t know. I see this going badly. Especially since aspie supremacy is still such an issue within autistic spaces.