I heard Polly Tommey on Women's Hour this morning. No mention of her or her
family's links to profit making organisations selling nutritional cures for
autism as described by the Guardian article. also no mention of the recent
UK government Autism strategy, which has been published recently after a
period of consultation with people with autism, their families and service
providers. In fact Ms Tommey said repeatedly that the government had done
nothing for autistic people and their families. The Autism Strategy targets
social barriers faced by many autistic people and puts a lot of emphasis on
boring, non vote-winning issues like housing, employment, education and
bullying, rather than having prominent photos of breasts.
In the context of a close run election with desperate politicians falling
over themselves to display their common touch, individuals such as Ms Tommey
who claim to represent the mistreated and hard done by can assume a
disproportionate prominence. Remember the glue-ear girl a few elections
ago?
There does seem to be a trend in the increasing objectification and
commodification of women's bodies in advertising "good causes". We used to
see glamorous women wearing t-shirts with logos to promote breast cancer
awareness or whatever, now they are wearing tea towels or nothing at all.
Sexism and body facism oppress disabled and ill women as well as the rest of
us.
Deborah
----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin REvell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 5:04 PM
Subject: Election 2010- 'Autism': "Hello Boys, Autism is worth over 6
million votes. It's time to talk..... Please send it on to others!!!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/apr/07/autism-campaign-wonderbra-posters
Colin Revell
_________________________________________________________________
http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/195013117/direct/01/
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