So I am thinking about starting this sub-blog category titled 'Unpopular Opinion".
The whole point behind this idea is to spark some conversation.
This time, I want to bring up the Blue Buckets. This was the recent highlight for Feature Friday. BluebBuckets are blue Halloween trick or treat pumpkin pails for children. The significance of the blue is to provide awareness to community members that the child has Autism or other Special Needs/Disability.
Here's my Unpopular Opinion: NOPE! NOT OKAY.
So the young, naive and uneducated me would have thought "Well Gosh Darn that's a great idea because without it, how would I know that this kid at my door is challenged and needs special treatment?! It's a darn good thing they have this Blue Bucket because I wouldn't have been aware enough to make any minor adjustments to my behaviour to accommodate them without being told!"
Okay, so maybe I am being a little too 'harsh' or 'blunt' about the situation. But let's be real here. Even without my training and education regarding children and individuals with special needs and disabilities, I am still a HUMAN BEING.
Regardless of identification (and I'll get to that later), an ADULT who is handing out candy for Halloween should have the understanding and common sense to identify a child that is being non-verbal as just a child who can't or won't say the words "Trick or Treat".
Why educate the public that a Blue Bucket means a child may not ask for the candy or may hide behind their parents etc. Why not educate the public that there are many children that may come to their door on October 31st that have variety of differences than the children you may expect. NOT ONLY AUTISM!!
So on top of the fact that "We can't expect people in society to be accepting of children with autism as children without labeling them for the world to see. Because homeowners handing out candy should be WARNED when a child with a disability or a difference is at their door", we are now EXCLUDING all of the OTHER kids with disabilities or special needs. With your Blue Buckets for Autism, you are telling the world that ONLY children with Autism should be carrying it.. What about the child with CP? Or the child with a visual impairment? Or hearing impairment? What colour are they supposed to carry? Yellow? Purple? NEON PINK?!
Let's also look at the Blue Buckets from a child's perspective. Children are already cruel when they choose to be. Bullying is at a peak. Let's add fuel to the fire and put a Blue Bucket in the hands of any child that is different. Showcasing them for all of the bullies.
So. Maybe next time you see a Blue Bucket post on social media, you will think about whether or not you should share. Think about WHAT you are promoting when you hit that like button. Think about all of the repercussions and all of the viewpoints BEFORE you comment "omg so cute. great idea!!". THINK ABOUT IT!
Thank you for coming to my TEDtalk. More Unpopular Opinions to follow as needed.
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