The 2019 Oscar delivery ceremony continues to go a long way. The day after the gala, social networks were flooded with memes with some of the most commented and fun moments of the night, what they probably did not know who created the memes is that they could hurt.
Alfonso Cuarón was one of the undisputed figures of the night, when he collected three statuettes for 'Roma': Best Direction, Best Foreign Film and Best Photography. The director attended the gala with his daughter Tess and son Olmo, 13, who has autism, and by his gestures on the red carpet and during the gala was a victim of teasing in several memes.
Memes with lack of sensitivity
Some people took advantage of the boy's behavior to create memes (which we will not reproduce here), without realizing (or if) that the motive of the teasing was a product of the autism that suffers.
A campaign began immediately to publicize that Olmo has autism and ask for memes to be withdrawn about him.
In 2008, when Olmo was four years old, it was Cuarón himself who revealed that he was moving away from the entertainment world for a year to take care of his son, which for him was paramount.
"I give my support to the Autism Speaks Foundation, which is the only organization that seriously addresses the problem of autism, I think it is a global epidemic, the levels are really worrying," said the director in an interview with Notimex.
"I have a child with that condition and I can say that fortunately I have the financial means and access to specialists and for this reason I have stopped working, I suspended all my projects to dedicate myself to my son",
Elmo Teodoro Cuarón,
- Bobby Albarrán (@bobbyalbarran) February 25, 2019
the youngest son of Alfonso Cuarón. He has autism and is 13 years old.
For Olmo, it is quite a challenge to attend this type of event for as many triggers as noises, lights and stimulators that can alter it.
You have to inform yourself first 💙 #autism #StopStupidMemes pic.twitter.com/FW52v6HXxH
In Babies and more: So the world sees a child with autism: put yourself in a minuteThen they began to appear in social networks comments of support and admiration for the director and his son, for having attended the gala no matter what they will say.
It should be noted that for a child with autism it is a great challenge to attend an event of this nature and be exposed to such excess stimuli. People with autism have a sensory processing disorder, have exacerbated senses and are hypersensitive to sounds and lights, as well as places with many people.
Well, take your son with autism to the delivery of the Oscar, without worrying about what they will say, just prove that he is a good dad and a good person. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same of those who made jokes at the expense of it.
- Marco Batta #CPT (@ MarcoTotti2) February 25, 2019
I love these children ... authentic ... happy to accompany their dad !! Congratulations @alfonsocuaron
- Adriana Delgado (@ Adyda73) February 25, 2019
They make fun of networks ... #olmocuaron #Olmo #Cuaron #Cuarones #PremiosOscar #Asperger #aspegers #soyautista empathy, respect, understanding. pic.twitter.com/p9sCZDmhpp
- Daily Stories (@HistCotidianas) February 25, 2019
The lack of information about #autism is one of the biggest problems, to show bullying and memes to Cuarón's son. Awareness #IluminemosdeAzul #Rome # ROMACuarón #Oscars # Oscars2019 # Oscar2019 #Roma # Inclusion pic.twitter.com/iyP9rhyd15
- Illuminate from Blue (@iluminemosazul) February 25, 2019
More respect and empathy
Autism is a disorder often misunderstood by society, and this is an example of that. These attitudes they are a form of bullying, and the only thing they get is to put even more obstacles on people with autism.
It is important to make it known, normalize the disorder and raise awareness about the needs of children with autism, understand them, eliminate labels and integrate them.
Our role as parents is key to educate our children in respect and empathy to eliminate one of the main social barriers these children face.
