real freedom includes the right to be a fucked-up dysfunctional weirdo. when you lack this right, your inability or refusal to comply with social norms will be used as a pretext to take away your other freedoms. all of us are fucked-up weirdos on the inside, so with sufficiently hostile and intrusive surveillance anyone can be unpersoned.
Fucked-up dysfunctional weirdo with full rights to and supports available to ensure whatever needs can be functionally met and are desired by said weirdo are filled.
If you don’t support the rights of kooks, weirdos, freaks, oddballs, and funky fellows then get out.
The pathologization and criminalization of pecularity doesn’t only affect the neurodivergent and the mentally ill, it can and will be used by the state against “normal” people the moment they step out of line.
Not only is it good to support the rights of freaks and weirdos on the grounds of protecting the rights of the neurodivergent and mentally ill, it’s also good on the grounds of cutting off a vector of state repression against the general public.
As soon as you start deeming it acceptable to take away the basic rights of “freaks”, you open the door to being deemed a “freak” yourself as soon as those in power decide you’re inconvenient.
Throwing “weirder” people under the bus will never guarantee you safety. You gotta park the bus so it stops running people over in general.
This is why the right to privacy is so, so crucial.
“Why can’t we enhance the surveillance state? Do you have something to hide?”
Maybe I just like being my best, weirdest self without you looking at me. Let live our best lives by leaving us the fuck alone. Live and let live. Mind your business and I’ll mind mine.
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