Breaking Me Down and Lifting Me Up: An Autoethnography of Being a Black Autistic Woman Online
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: This autoethnography investigates the diverse challenges associated with being a Black, undiagnosed autistic woman coming of age on the internet, and examines how online experiences shaped my identity over the past twenty years. Early encounters with racism and cautious self-expression on platforms such as forums, GeoCities, Myspace, and YouTube are explored as my initial efforts to "fit in" in virtual spaces. I discuss how engaging with platforms like Instagram and Etsy enabled my participation in the gig economy while grappling with my pre-diagnosis social struggles. I also share how I navigate post-2020 experiences as a Black autistic online creator, how TikTok played a pivotal role in my journey to diagnosis, and how my self-expression, self-employment, and online sharing changed as a result. Through this paper, I hope to encourage discussions about the intersections of autism, race, and gender within our digital experiences.
Author: Morgan Harper-Nichols
Institution: Lindenwood University
Language: English
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4376867385