this post was submitted on 30 May 2026
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Autism

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How to you feel about using autism as a joking synonym for "dumb" or "awkward"? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)
submitted 1 month ago by Alvaro@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/autism@lemmy.world
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I have been struggling with this because a lot of people around me use it in this manner when they do something dumb or they act in an awkward way and they'll be like "oh, that was autistic of me" or "I've got the tism" and I always feel so uncomfortable but I also don't know how to raise it or what to say. I am myself not diagnosed, but I'm pretty sure I am on the spectrum. I was just wondering what you think of it and how you handle it.

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[–] TheStaffmaster@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Comedian Carlos Mencia had a bit where he would call things "retarded" in a mocking voice. Usually the antics of what we would call "karen culture" today. Even in the early 2000's this kind of humor was seen by some as a bit insensitive, which led him to explain on his show what the humor was about. He put it like this: (paraphrased because this was over 20 years ago and good luck finding this quote on YouTube these days.)

There are people who are born "retarded" and have special needs. These are brave people and I love and respect them and wish them nothing but the best. I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about people who were born and then BECAME "retarded."