Dear 50 Cent

As most of you know, kiddos with autism hold a really special place in my heart. Kids with any and all special needs are near and dear to me, but kids with autism (and their families) are so amazing to me. I have never been more proud to be part of any community. So it kind of got me all riled up when I heard about this.

A couple of weeks ago 50 cent, a man with millions of fans and followers (many of whom are young and impressionable) made some questionable comments on his twitter feed. 

In response to a post from a fan's tweet that said "Release the album or get shot again" 50 tweeted "yeah just saw your picture fool you look autistic." followed by "I don't want no special ed kids on my time line follow some body else," 

Dear Mr. 50 cent (?),
 
Aside from the gross grammatical errors, these posts are offensive in so many ways. 

First of all.... a man in your position really needs to think about what you're saying before you say it. When you have an audience of so many, maybe you should consider using it for good. Bashing and insulting people with special needs has got to stop. They are people first. With feelings and family and love in their hearts. Their disability is only second. It does not define who they are. And they are certainly not idiots talking about shooting people who don't release albums. 


Second of all, "autistic" does not look like anything. There are no distinctive physical features that go along with having autism. I'd be willing to bet that you pass an autistic person on the street more than once a day and you have NO idea.

Third of all, you'd be lucky to have some kids with special needs following you. They're probably a lot smarter and more dignified than the idiots following you now (**note to self....stop following 50 cent). 

And last, having autism (or downs syndrome, or a learning disability, or a physical disability etc...) isn't an insult. It's a challenge that so many people in this world face every day. People who listen to  your music, buy your albums, download your songs and proudly hang posters of you in their room. Shame on you for saying such awful things about a community of people that looks up to you and spends their precious time even giving you a second thought. 

You have pissed off the wrong community Mr Cent (?). You have no idea what the mom's, dads, grandparents, sisters, brothers, families, therapists, teachers, advocates and countless other people involved in the lives of these "special ed kids" are capable of. I almost (ALMOST) feel sorry for you. 


Sincerely, 
A very pissed off behavior specialist who loves an awful lot of kids with autism.....