01/26/2026
As a disabled, autistic person in Minneapolis who has been protesting state violence here for the decade that I've lived here:
🔴 I'm sorry to those who are truly overwhelmed by seeing talk of state violence across socials.
Please really do connect with your neighbors, your social support networks if you have them, family if you have those people.
YES it's hard. If someone's great right now? 🤷 I mean, how tf?
Those doing great say things like "Comply to not die. Hope this helps!"
Ridiculous and not-applicable instruction.
🟠 As Franchesca "Chescaleigh" Ramsey and others have noted, state violence is interconnected.
I'm a disabled veteran who gets their healthcare at the Minneapolis VA. I'm there at least once a week most weeks. My heart is shattered by the ex*****on of Alex Pretti.
As someone who's taught undergrad psychology at a state university for 21 years, and has been a population health researcher for six years, fwiw -
I invite folks to recognize that state-sanctioned violence is. not. new.
See also Jamar Clark (shot in the head by two Minneapolis police officers in 2015 while he was already on the ground).
Side note: Please miss me with "did he have a criminal record tho?" Yes he did. The US imprisons 1 out of every 5 Black men at some point in their lives. Seriously, read a book.
Back to now...
🟡 As The Activistic Autistic and others have pointed out, this isn't T's United States. It's just the United States. Elsewhere is not P's Russia, just Russia. It's not N's Israel. It's just Israel. It's not M's India. It's just India.
Countries aren't reborn with regime change. If you think they are, at best you're judging books by their covers.
If you don't get that, show your credentials for understanding global health and wellbeing along with your CV. No? Then just ha-ha react to my post and return to your favorite propaganda channel, podcast bro, trad wife influencer, or whatever tf you have legitimized as your source of wisdom.
🟢 I'm personally struggling. My health is precarious. I'm in the Twin Cities, trying to teach an undergrad online course voice to text since I mostly cannot type due to those health issues.
I've been trying to convert a mobility scooter to power the heated socks my feet require, which might improve my ability to be outside, slightly, and might not.
My spouse is caring for Minneapolis community members in crisis night and day. I'm trying and failing to pour into her a fraction of what she's pouring out.
🔵 Look. I'm making this post hoping it's helpful to some. Disinformation is wrong information shared with the intent to mislead people, and it's absolute mindf**kery, especially for autistic people. I've written about this before, including some thoughts on how to cope
ref:
https://autisticphd.com/theblog/disinformation-and-autistic-coping/
As always, take what you need and leave what you don't. I know everything is hard. Peace, love, and solidarity always, friends. ✌️💕✊
Image Description: Selfie of me (Erika) at the Minneapolis VA last week for my monthly IVIG infusion for immune deficiency. I'm wearing a hat that says "Stata" and an N95 mask. A very large US flag hangs in the main space of the hospital lobby behind me.
