The Yin and Yang of Privilege and Empowerment

Leah Kelley 30daysofautism.wordpress.com I have been reflecting on privilege … and perhaps entertaining the loss of it as we work to find our place and way to support others in the autism community. I have been raised with privilege (not riches and extravagance — see the link at the end of this post to learn more about this). Although I am in my late forties and have occasionally felt the sting and squeeze of sexism, or the judgment of others in dealing with low mood and depression, I have not suffered abuse, nor have I been silenced because of my neurology, or my ethnic background, or… That sense of privilege has a shadow, and the shadow is the assumption that I have the right to speak up — to say my piece — to be heard. And I am coming to realize that this attitude may actually silence or dilute…