Comments on: This is Not a Petitionary Prayer: Carving Out a Space for Self-Representation

By: Jacob P.

Jacob P. — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 21:20:55 +0000

I read the whole thing.

One part of this is that it’s between mercy and justice. Should we all be condemned for all the wrongs we have done, or all forgiven? (rhetorical question) Because we all have done wrong, and hurt others in some way, haven’t we?

One view is to not hate people but only there actions.
Jesus had said, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”

I believe people should be made accountable for there actions. And that we have to learn to love rather then hate. If we hate all others for the injustices they have done, then like this post points out we will also have to hate ourselves.

By: Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg

Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 02:35:21 +0000

Thanks so much for your comment, Amanda. As always, it’s good to know that I’m not alone in feeling these things.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:21:02 +0000

Too sick to fully reply.

But I feel closer to part of the DD community and the disability community than to the autistic community. The autistic community is too… twisted and slanted and pointed in directions other than love and compassion. And that’s also despite doing lots of work for it.

By: Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg

Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 02:24:50 +0000

I don’t know whether I can articulate the distinction any more clearly, but I will try… I remember, when I was younger, feeling rage as a powerful, consuming force. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve felt that. Outrage feels more like a powerful, consuming moral imperative. Perhaps love for humanity transmutes rage into outrage? I’m not sure. But it seems to me that outrage is based on love for humanity; there would be no reason to be outraged at injustice or human suffering without that love.

By: Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg

Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 02:17:07 +0000

I think I’m very fortunate in that I have so many words in my head that they must come out in writing. I write because I have to; it’s almost a physical imperative. If I don’t get the words out, it’s as though I’m just stuck.

By: Belfast

Belfast — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:31:57 +0000

Rachel wrote:
“I wish that I had control over how my words are interpreted and used, but I don’t, because that is the nature of putting words out into the world. In order to avoid misinterpretation and misuse, I’d have to be silent, and that I will never do.”

That right there is the big risk (and the big reason why) I struggle with: expressing myself (be it speaking or writing) in public-including but not limited to online venues. Would that I were courageous enough to push past the fear more often.

By: Atomic Geography

Atomic Geography — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:28:29 +0000

Fine essay.

Buddha is not a deity, but there is prayer in Buddhism. “Impressing your heart what you want it to be” is a good description of Buddhist aspirational prayer. Mantras can be considered a sort of prayer that literally protects the mind and functions as the language equivalent of a good deed – it can be the bridge between one’s positive intention and one’s positive action. There is much of this sense in what you write here, although I’m sure there are differences.

I have a sense of your rage/outrage distinction and find that I both am sympathetic and wary of it. Maybe in another post you could explore it more.

By: Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg

Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 02:15:21 +0000

Yes, it’s the concern about ending up on the “wrong” side of the line that makes it difficult to navigate. This is one of the reasons that I identify as “disabled” rather than “autistic” now, even though, as you say, I will always be autistic and support autism/neurodiversity issues. I’m really more about crossing back and forth between lines, and understanding different kinds of experiences. From this perspective, cross-disability work seems to be a better fit for me, at least at this point.

By: Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg

Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 01:55:51 +0000

I’m so glad, Heather. Thank you!

By: Heather Clark

Heather Clark — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:42:11 +0000

I always have to wonder about those people who think love only inspires positive and happy feelings. They must have such a shallow view of it. A shallow feel of it. Love feels like everything to me, like work, like pain, like joy, like a perspective, like a religion, like an approach to life. I choose to approach Autism with love, and that notion has been twisted and turned into many dark things. But they can’t reach it. They don’t feel it. They could never take my love away.

I love the new picture of YOU!

I love your radical love!

It matters a whole lot, and you can tell from the first comment written here, and I will tell you from my family; your love means a whole lot.