Black History Month

I didn't want February to pass without acknowledging Black History Month—especially through the lens of autism. Even though the calendar has moved forward, the message still matters. Because Black history doesn't stop when the month of February ends, and neither does the lived experience of being Black and autistic. Being Black and autistic means living at an intersection that often goes unseen. In Black spaces, disability-- especially autism-- is still misunderstood, minimized, or ignored. In autism spaces, Black voices are often missing, overlooked, or treated like an afterthought. 

Existing in both worlds can feel isolating, like you're constantly having to explain who you are just to be believed. Growing up, I rarely saw people who looked like me represented in conversations about autism. Most images, stories, and narratives centered on white families and white experiences. That absence sends a quiet message: this isn't for you. And when you're Black and autistic, there are already stereotypes about you.  

Brown Side Of Autism exists because our stories deserve space. We deserve conversations that honor culture and neurodiversity at the same time-- not one without the other. We deserve to be seen as human beings, not just statistics or stereotypes. 

- Daniel Gillespie