What's Still Bothering Me

Thanks to everyone in Gamergate for making me feel so welcome. :D

Most of you know @Omniuke and also know he has High Functioning Autism/Asperger's. You probably also know that the stereotyping of gamers as 'lacking social skills' by the press along with conflating the behavior of many people on the spectrum with the way that rapists and murderers behave is making people who are already afraid even more so.

What you may not know is that my daughter is also neuroatypical, but not autistic. She has severe OCD including Pure 'O'. She has anxiety and many other co-morbidities that I won't go into, but suffice it to say, she has also found the vilification of neuroatypical people in the press frightening. The press has made her feel lesser and she really can't afford to see or hear these things. I worry for her.

I've heard from other parents, relatives, and friends of neuroatypical people as well as people, both male and female. on the spectrum. They are hurt and afraid. They're angry and disheartened.

This isn't about gender. That's always been a red herring. It's also not just about getting the gaming press to be ethical. There is something very wrong with the press that goes to the highest level and it's hurting people who can NEVER act the way the press says is required. In fact, they can NEVER act like anything but the scary and bad people the press is warning people about even though they've done NOTHING wrong!

I'm concerned that when the gaming press has fallen into line to the satisfaction of the majority using the Gamergate hashtag, that the hashtag will no longer be viable. And maybe that's right. However, without that tag I do worry that people like my son and daughter will go back to being unheard, a casualty of all this. As TotalBiscuit said, he has a huge following and he doesn't need a hashtag, well, I do and so do my kids.They have always faced prejudice. but nothing on this scale and it is set in people's minds like never before. It won't go away without re-educating people after all the negative press they've heard and seen.

So, I'm asking for suggestions on how we continue on for the people who may get lost in the shuffle without the hashtag? There must be a way, I just can't think of one. Also, I think it should come from people who are directly affected and not me.

Thanks to anyone whose taken the time to read this. I really appreciate it. I found it impossible to tweet this in any way that would make sense.

Janet @jmackay1962