If I’m being honest, the world has felt like a dumpster fire during the past several weeks, more so than usual, with the US election being no exception to this. Being on the other side of the pond, I am not going to pretend I am an expert in all things US politics. However, seeing how the Democrats are using ‘weird’ as a ‘dig’ towards the Republicans is something that has stood out to me, and it says a lot about attitudes towards neurodivergence. Let me explain.
If we are going by strict dictionary definitions, weird is an adjective for “Very strange and unusual, unexpected, or not natural”. In reality what is deemed ‘weird’ and not ‘weird’ is subjective to an extent. Generally though, most things that fall outside of normal are branded as weird. As our society puts a lot of emphasis on normality, this means anything weird is seen as automatically bad or as a problem. As neurodivergent people, our very nature of being often differs from what the world tells us is ‘normal’, so we are often negatively branded as weird.
However, the many of the ‘not normal’ things we do that are considered weird won’t cause harm or distress to ourselves or others. So why is ‘weird’ such a big problem then? It is catching on that weirdness is not the same as bad, with some neurodivergent people starting to reclaim and celebrate our weirdness. Weird Pride Day (4th March) is a prime example of this.
So how is this relevant to the US election in recent weeks?
What many Democrats have done is weaponise ‘weirdness’ to attack their opponents Donald Trump and JD Vance for their harmful policies. They are playing on the trope that everything weird is automatically bad and are reinforcing this message to the world (not just the USA). Many people on the left and Democrat supporters have also been fully embracing this message, but what does this mean for neurodivergent people who are often bullied and tormented for their weirdness? It gives more people approval and ammunition to be cruel towards those who are perceived as weird. When in reality they are likely minding their own business, meeting their own needs or just doing the things they enjoy.
So even as a cat lady who was mad at Vance’s attitudes towards people like me, the Democrats wouldn’t be winning my vote either with their weaponisation of ‘weird’ (and in addition to other issues) if I were a US citizen. Also if Democrats best come back towards the Republicans is ‘They’re Weird’, what a weak opposition! It is not weird what the Republicans are doing, it’s horrific. Call it for what it is and not weird. Claiming their ‘weird’ will play into harmful stereotypes that will mainly affect neurodivergent people just trying to go about their daily lives in peace.
I don’t envy those who are voting in this election in November, then again the UK’s political system is not much better either!
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References:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyjl912z7po
