The being represented in the logo itself is not meant to be representative of
either male or female. It is meant to represent all human beings.
The divide between black and white down the centre of this being's head is
generally symbolic of the struggle of all humankind with common polarized ways
of thinking and relating. Both those with Asperger's and those who are NT to
varying individual and personal degrees experience this polarization in daily
life. How it effects us may be different, what the impact of it is in our lives
may also vary. However, learning to live in and with the paradoxical nature of
life, as opposed to the polarized black and white, Aspie or NT, is a challenge
for us all.
The more we can live the questions of paradox the healthier we will all be
generally and the more open we can be with one another in our efforts to bridge
our very valuabe and worthwhile differences.
Also being represented by the black and the white on the being's head, are the
enigmatic struggles of those with Asperger's Syndrome. The struggles
between the "black" and the "white" as played out all-too-often when difference,
and different ability is thought of in biased negative ways that lead too many
people to feel "other", "less than", "not good enough", "weird", "invisible",
"dismissed", and so forth.
The white light behind this figure and the dove-like bird rising in the background
speak to what I know about Asperger's from the inside out -- it is paradoxical, it is
strengthing, it is a way of being in the world despite the world's persisting need
to try to have everyone fit into one box.
Having Asperger's to varying degrees for those with it impacts largely upon
socializing and relating. Outside of those realms, clearly, Asperger's (AS) is a
proufound and strengthening gift. A different ability - valuable to each individual
as they come to accept themselves, AS and all, and a profound gift to humanity.
Much about difference and different ability is a profound gift to humanity.
The danger is that we all fall into the mass mentality that sameness equals
the kind of in common that makes the world go around. This is an illusion.
Difference needs celebration.
Differing voices need to be heard. Different expressions or lack there of need
to be valued. Different ways of thinking/processing/relating need also to be
patiently respected. We label, Aspie, or NT, I hope, mainly to faciliate understanding
and not ever to give more value or importance to one or the other.
© A.J. Mahari, March 25, 2005
as of January 17, 2005
