Source ~ @/autisticamente_marcela

Everyone else seems to have their soapbox lately when it comes to Star Wars and representation, so here's mine.

On Autism representation.

I can't think of many examples, but the two that spring to my mind are Thrawn and Tech from TBB. In my opinion, I think they are both done well.

I haven't seen much complaining about Thrawn, but the Tech posts have been rampant. Saying he's tone-deaf, unfeeling, robotic, and misses the point frequently. People have said that this is bad representation. The thing is, that is how Autism can present itself, especially in someone that has been more socially isolated. Something that Tech experiences. His social life is limited to the rest of TBB (which all have various aspects of neurodivergency themselves) , Kaminoans (who are an entirely different species and culture that are also isolated), and the other Clones (who have been shown to treat TBB badly).

I see so many traits in him that I see in myself, my family, and a friend of mine. All of these people fall somewhere on the Autism spectrum. Because that's what Autism is, a spectrum. Everyone experiences it differently.

-leg bouncing when he's anxious

-info-dumping

-meticulously collecting information about topics that he's interested in

-not understanding "it's a feeling" in relation to flying

-frustration when things aren't going according to plan and when the things they are supposed to do are interrupted

-seemingly tone-deaf direct comments on what he sees

-focusing on what's important to him and ignoring other things around him

Everytime he does one of these things, I smile to myself, because I feel seen. The reactions of others around him are so accurate as well. Hunter rolling his eyes/shaking his head. Wrecker saying "yeah yeah we know". I've experienced those reactions my whole life.

Before you criticize representation, and automatically assume that it's bad because it might not be perfect, consider the opinions of those represented. Not their family members, not health professionals, not what you think it is.

Also that ableism term you all like to throw around? Dismissing the experiences of those with the conditions you're critiquing because they don't fit into your narrative is far more ableist than the thing you think is bad.

Hunter, why?!😭 Well, at least Crosshair can give some burns as well as he takes them yeah I'll see myself out.

Someone stop me-

Please someone stop me-

I die every time I see this! Fives delivers that line PERFECTLY. It was nice knowing you Kenobi. 🤣

I definitely don't want to see Spider harmed, he's a sweet kid and deserved far better than what he's been getting, both in and out of universe, and he did nothing wrong.

That said, the Sully's aren't gonna see it that way.

Granted, you're right about Spider, he didn't betray anyone, and he saved the life of someone that showed he cared... during a hostage situation, sure, but it's more than the kid usually gets, and even without that, he likely would've saved the jerk anyway, because SPIDER IS NOTHING LIKE HIS FATHER. (well, maybe the same capably crazy energy, but that's it)

BUT, the Sully's have been dealing with this psycho Colonel's bullshit for too long already, they've lost so many of their community and family, the whole famn damily done with this man, and they thought they were rid of him... only for Spider to save him.

I still say he's not wrong for it, but the Sully's are equally not wrong to be mad about it, though they would be wrong for trying to kill him for it (I'm looking at you, Neytiri).

Since everyone assumes the worst if and when the Sullys find out Quaritch is alive because of our boy Spider. Let's think this through.

He didn't betray them. They betrayed him and left him to Quaritch. He had every right to save someone who saved him from torture.

If anything this is a chance for the Sullys to reward his loyalty and love because he could have chosen to go with him but he didn't.

Quit wanting Lo'ak to kill his best friend. Quit wanting Netyri to kill a boy who just wanted to be apart of their family and endured torture for them.

I swear there is something deeply wrong with this fandom.

I know a few people like this... such individuals usually wear me out.😅

frank castle + tumblr text posts

Wholly agree with this (and love it!), just gonna add a couple things:

First, and I can't believe we're here, but: Aaravos might have just made it on the best cartoon dad list, AND JUST FROM ONE EPISODE! That's gotta be a record.

Second... I think this point could get even more sad, so sorry in advance; Leola was executed for breaking Cosmic Order, right? Because she gave magic to humans... Aaravos also gave magic to humans, and a far worse kind at that, while being a menace to any other form of Order he could find..... and was imprisoned. I'm sorry, WHAT?

And while we're mentioning it, let's look at that prison, shall we? It's a big pearl, sure. Inside it, it's a near-perfect replica of the home Aaravos and Leoa lived in before her execution. Outside, it rests among bones that could very well be LEOLA'S REMAINS, inside a body of water that Aaravos made with his tears over the span of 100 YEARS!!! And someone chose THAT as his prison, like they're trying to rub salt on the wound.

All this, on top of your point, makes me think that they, while definitely not wanting humans to have magic, were more concerned with getting rid of a child they could not understand or control, while trying to keep "one of the Great Ones" with them, and subsequently got petty when that (unsurprisingly) backfired.

The whole situation reeks of toxicity and ableism under a perfect facade.

Ok ok ok SO!

I think everyone has realized that Leola was autistic. It was heavily implied both through the flashback images and Aaravos' narration-

She lined up her toys, flapped her hands (it was also shown in the trial scene), seemed to be sensitive towards loud sounds (like the other startouch elves when they talked), and walked on her tiptoes. All of those are classic signs of autism.

But there's one thing I haven't seen anyone else bring up, and that's that her giving her human friends magic and breaking the "cosmic order" or whatever could also be because of her neurotype!

Autistic people tend to have very strict senses of morality and fairness, and will disregard rules if they don't fit their idea of right or wrong. Personal example here, I used to constantly do things I was told not to because I thought the rules in question were bogus.

It's not hard to guess that Leola would find the rules about humans not having magic to be unfair- after all, her and all the other elves, and even the animals around them are full of it! So in the mind of an autistic child, this would be incredibly unfair. And she had the power to "fix" the situation! So why wouldn't she?

Why wouldn't she try to help her friends? Because it would break the cosmic order? That's vague as hell and she was a KID!

And the startouch elves atomized her, for breaking a rule she probably only half understood and thought was stupid. Because she was autistic.

Had this thought and wanted to share, makes the whole thing even more tragic.

*inhales* EEEEEEEEEEP!!! I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! The mash-up I didn't even know I NEEDED!

just imagining an AU where the Bad Batch meet the Serenity crew

The Crew

Jayne and Crosshair shooting contest

Jayne and Wrecker. (That's it.)

Jayne and Hunter and knives

Jayne teaching Echo Cantonese swears

Mal teaching Omega cantonese swears

Mal and Hunter staredown when they realize they're both Sargeants. Hunter slightly confused when the Crew call Mal "Captain".

Wash and Tech trading crazy flying stories

Wash:I'm a leaf on the wind Tech:What does that even mean?

Wash teaching Omega more about "flying is about a feeling" (Leaf on the Wind)

Wash responding to Crosshair's snark with the cheekiest sarcasm

Wash asking Zoe which Sarge they're gonna listen to

Zoe, annoyed by the Sargeants, and seeing how well The Crew (except Jayne) get along with him, decides Tech is in charge because "it's his ship, Sir... Sirs"

Zoe teaching Omega the 1st Rule of Battle

Zoe and Crosshair holding direct, unreadable eye-contact, arms crossed, for about 3 seconds before slightly nodding to each other. They never say a word to each other, but there is just pure understanding and respect between them. Neither the Crew or the Batch really get it.

Zoe asking if they can trade Jayne for Wrecker

Simon being overwhelmed at the idea of bacta and medical droids, staight up fainting when he finds out Echo was literally blown up, and is now half droid

Kaylee repairing the ship with Echo while Simon is passed out

Kaylee making improvements to the ship that Tech was too Tech-y to think of

Kaylee helping Omega paint her room

Kaylee being unbearably cheerful with Crosshair (she paints a tiny flower on one of his reflector discs he sticks it to the lid inside his wepons kit because it reminds him of his nickname for you)

River playing hide and seek with Kaylee, Omega, and Wrecker. They resort to asking Hunter to track her down, and she's almost too good even for his senses

River balled up in the copilot seat just absorbing every single thing Tech says, occasionally interjecting with her own theories/calculations/corrections

River, to Echo: He's proud of you. ("Who?") Your twin. The others are too. You lived to fight another day.

i had more ideas but i made myself cry with that last one. will probably add to this over time and do a list from the side of The Batch

today im thinking about the huge buff bread guy from kikis delivery service. highly underrated guy

FACTS! Say it louder for the NT's in the back!!!

ND culture is that the "taking stuff literally" thing goes in both directions.

No, allistics, I'm NOT exaggerating, saying things between the lines, being metaphorical, emphatic, or sarcastic, or anything like that. I'm being LITERAL. So when I say something, take me seriously and at face value, damnit!!

.

Now that's some REAL high Fives.😆 My kinda guy.🍃😏

this man is having a blast on twitter