"Black Autistic & Safe" Part 2

"Black Autistic And Safe" is a four-part series hosted by News Anchor Esther Dillard that focuses on police reform and how it relates to people on the autism spectrum.

Listen now!

Episode Transcript

(00:03):
So when he ran to the basement, all the parents heard was Papa,
Papa pa, and he was dead. In part one of Black, Autistic
and Safe, we told you aboutautistic fifteen year old Stefan Watts from Illinois,
calum Met police shot and killed himinside his home after he had a
meltdown. In twenty twelve, Colorof Autism founder Camille Proctor explained how police

(00:29):
said Stefan lunched at them with aweapon. The cops said that Stefan pulled
a knife on him, but itwas in fact a butter knife. Stefan's
sister, Renee Watts, told meshe didn't want to relive the traumatic story
in an interview, but allowed usto share part of her talk she had
with the advocacy group Disability Lead intwenty twenty one. Instead of getting officers

(00:50):
with compassion, life experience, orpatience, my father was met with two
overworked, stressed out, hostile policeofficers who were tired of dealing with Stephan.
In the aftermath of the shooting,the police chief of cam At City
said that Stefan had made poor decisions, but anyone who understands the dynamics of
autism spectrum disorder. Knows communication,and decision making are some of the challenges

(01:15):
with the neurological disorder. The MaleClinic defines ASD as a developmental condition that
impacts how a person perceives, communicates, and socializes with others. Symptoms range
from mild to severe. Renee.Watts and her family lobbied Illinois Governor JB.
Pritzker to sign the Stefan Watts Actin twenty twenty one. Three major

(01:36):
reasons why I believe Stefan was shotwere because of class, race, and
his disability. Our society our society. Society is hardwired to classify people and
treat them based upon these classifications.When our parents were looking for resources to
help Stefan, we were met withresistance because Stefan didn't look like he had
a disability. The new Illinois law, named in honor of Stuff, is

(02:00):
also known as the Community Emergency Servicesand Support Act or sess UP. It
prohibits the use of police officers forhealth or medical emergencies. In other words,
police officers aren't allowed to respond tomental and behavioral health emergencies, but
some advocates believe this should be putin place across the country. It grieves

(02:21):
me a great deal when people callthe police because they feel like we who
else can you call? What elsecan you do? Doctor Marina kai Kiwa
on Naiwu is an adult diagnosed withautism. She works with nonprofit organization Advocacy
Without Borders. In Part three ofBlack Autistic and Safe, black parents,
caregivers, and autistic adults share howbeing autistic and black has added challenges and

(02:46):
what they teach their kids to keepsafe. If you'd like to hear an
extended version of this story, listento the extended version a Part two of
Black Autistic and Safe this Sunday onThe Black Perspective at nine am and nine
pm Eastern. I'm mister Dillard onthe Black Information Network.