Home, Home Again

by Katlynn Seghetti!

Or, a gentle recap of an endlessly busy semester, and a philosophy of activism

One of the main struggles people have getting involved with activism is getting started, knowing where to go, what your strengths are, and how long you can keep going. Ironically, I’m having the same issue with this blog post. At the beginning of the semester, I had a grand plan of detailing a long list of things I’ve done, and providing places for readers to go to get involved. Coming up to the end, I’ve been struggling with the concept of being ‘done’. 

What have I ‘done’? What ‘counts’ as success? Everyone around me is so affirming that Good Things Have Happened because of my work, which I know, logically, is true. There is still a part that feels like the work is incomplete, and the perfectionist in me doesn’t like incomplete endings. 

But, that’s really what you have to do, make sure the project continues after you leave it. Activism that can continue is the goal, and inspiring others to take your place (and, of course, change it up in their unique way). What I hope I’ve done, if the title is any indication, is helping make UMBC feel more like a ‘home’ for neurodivergent folk. Home is a loaded word, in my mind, but the ‘home’ I want is one rooted in support and care; unconditional and enduring. A ‘home’ is something you feel comfortable leaving and coming back to, even if you don’t have a reason why. 

A lot of firsts happened this semester: the UMBC Neurodiversity Club, Headspace’s creation, and other events centering neurodivergent people. I know, without a doubt, I’ve done well. But I could do more. Another year as an undergrad student, and I can iron out the details, make better what’s in place, another B.A, do a real GWST capstone project around autism.

Then I think, “and then what”? With activism, it seems like you will always find more work. It simply will just be there. What hits harder now, is that with RFK Jr. as head of HHS, and his apparent disdain for the lives of autistic people, the feeling of not doing ‘enough’ is heavy. Part of this is likely fear because of chronic illnesses, wanting to make sure I do good while my body is still (relatively) in decent shape. I know UMBC has so many students willing to cause some trouble, and they (you) will keep up the move to a more (neuro)diversity-affirming world. We are far from being a ‘home’ yet, but there’s attention on where we’re struggling, and more space has been intentionally carved out for us. 

I thought it would be clever to leave this off on an unsatisfying conclusion, but I think instead, I’ll leave off with a few significant organizations that I found so helpful (and most are run but autistic individuals!)!

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
• Embrace Autism (Link)
• UMBC SDS 101 Page (Link)
• Autistic People of Color Fund (APOC) 
• Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN)

Please, get involved with the neurodivergent community in some way, especially if you aren’t. It will be odd, it will feel uncomfortable, but that is how you know you’re learning and unlearning and relearning. Take care of yourselves, and a reminder that activism can look like anything, loud and quiet, big and small!

• More Information about Home, Home Again