MICHAEL SAVAGE: Autistic Children are "Idiots" & Minority Children Fake Asthma to Get More Welfare Money
Michael Savage, Nationally Syndicated Radio Host
I don't even know where to begin on this one. On July 16th, syndicated radio host Michael Savage had this to say about autism on his radio show The Savage Nation:
"Now, you want me to tell you my opinion on autism.....A fraud, a racket. Now, the illness du jour is autism. You know what autism is? I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, "Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot." Source: Media Matters
For good measure, he also had this to say about minority children with asthma:
"For a long while, we were hearing that every minority child had asthma. Why did they sudden -- why was there an asthma epidemic amongst minority children? Because I'll tell you why: The children got extra welfare if they were disabled, and they got extra help in school. It was a money racket. Everyone went in and was told [fake cough], "When the nurse looks at you, you go [fake cough], 'I don't know, the dust got me.' " See, everyone had asthma from the minority community. That was number one." Source: Media Matters
I'm disgusted with this man's comments on so many levels. As a woman with an autistic sister, I know first hand how REAL autism is. It is not about an unruly or misbehaving child. Not only does Mr. Savage's words reveal his ignorance, but also his complete lack of knowledge on the subject. As such, he has no business speaking about it. His words and commentary are beyond offensive.
With respect to his commentary on asthmatic minority children, his words again reveal an utter lack of knowledge for the subject matter he is speaking on. In addition, he also reveals his race-based biases and preconceptions. He immediately connects asthmatic minority children with welfare recipients (Stereotype #1 - All minorities are on welfare). He dismisses the possibility that these children were, in fact, asthmatic and instead replaces it with the idea that they were lying to receive more money, benefits, welfare, etc (Stereotype #2 - All minorities are untrustworthy and out to "get over" on the system). In addition, he completely overlooks the reality that in some communities, minority children are living in substandard housing and as a result, are exposed to lead paint, asbestos, and other agents known to cause or be linked to asthma. Of course, he wouldn't dare look into these very real and more likely explanations for the high asthmatic rate among minority children. No, throwing around racial stereotypes, masquerading as explanations, is far more accurate and effective (yes, you're hearing sarcasm).
