It. It’s really bugging me
that the only reason conservative commentators
seem to be getting any backlash
or apologizing for attacking Tim Wallace’s teenage son Gus,
for crying in admiration of his father is because he has a disability.
I get this all the time online.
Whenever I share a silly or endearing story about my child,
and a. A perfect parent will come in and begin attacking me,
only to find out that my child’s autistic and be like,
if I had known, I wouldn’t have said anything.
That’s not why you should be a good person.
I shouldn’t have to disclose my child’s disability
just so you’ll show basic
human compassion. We can talk about it,
we can celebrate it. I love how his brain works. Right,
but that’s not the reason why you shouldn’t be a monster.
And in this particular instance,
we don’t need to pathologize crying.
Boys cry, men cry.
That’s part of being human.
As someone who is also neurodivergent
and who grew up having trouble regulating my emotions.
Right, the reason I felt so much shame
over not being able to shove down every emotion I felt
and hide it was because of reactions like this.
As a parent,
the only valid response to seeing a child well up with tears
in admiration of their father,
shouting out, that’s my dad!
Is to aspire to be loved by your own children that much one day.