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Bridget Stirling

@bridgetstirling.bsky.social

3.1K followers 1.7K following 2.4K posts

UAlberta PhD candidate exploring the politics of childhood and education and the temporality of childhood. Lover of travel, books, cats, music, coffee, and plants. Keeper of too many shoes. Not here to cheerlead for your political party. She/her.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · Oct 4

I've been sitting on this news for a couple of weeks now, and I'm excited to finally share.

I signed the contract today for my forthcoming book, "All Thy Sons Command: Childhood and the Canadian Far Right". I have a dissertation to finish first, but this is huge at this stage in my academic career.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 8h

Thanks for engaging with this thoughtfully as well! Online autism discourse can get pretty adversarial, and I don't think it's serving any of us well.

Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 8h

Really, not that far off from Smith saying Eby was "unconstitutional" in expressing disagreement with her pipeline proposal. Last time I checked, the constitution didn't prohibit premiers from saying they don't like a project or criticizing another premier. If it did, Smith would have some problems.

The Beaverton @thebeaverton.com · 9h

Danielle Smith announces plans to hold her breath until she gets what she wants

EDMONTON – After meeting with Mark Carney to discuss pipeline construction, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has vowed to hold her breath until the Prime Minister gives her absolutely everything she ask...

thebeaverton.com

Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 8h

Also, support needs can change over a person's lifetime and are contextual. Someone diagnosed as "level 1" (lower support needs) could need a lot more support if they experience an autistic burnout. They're not more autistic during a burnout than before; they're someone whose needs have changed.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 8h

I think the difference for me is whether you are locating a person along a perceived spectrum of how autistic they are. I am not less autistic than a person who may not speak or may have more daily living needs — I need less support in those areas. Autism is still inherent to both of us as people.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 8h

It depends on the intent. I think it's appropriate sometimes to talk about levels of support needs or to talk about specific areas in which someone might be affected more. I think it's also okay to talk about recognizing how people with more support needs might be affected by particular policies.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 8h

And again, I don't think you at all intend to cause harm or say that some of our lives have more values than others. It's just something my (admttedly sensitive) ear picked up, so I hope you hear this in the spirit with which it's intended from a longtime supporter of the pod.

Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 8h

In times like this, particularly, I think it is important to avoid language that might suggest a hierarchy. Autistic solidarity with other autistics is critical right now, and I hope our allies will hear this too. Thank you for your ongoing work to debunk the myths and fight eugenicist logics.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 8h

I say this not to scold, because I know you come at this from a good heart and are speaking up against the eugenicist view of autism RFK espouses. I'm mindful though of Hans Asperger determining which people like me had value based on his perception of their ability.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 8h

The spectrum is not really linear — it's more like a gradient colour wheel. Every one of us has different areas in which we may experience challenges or excel. That's not to deny that some people have more substantial needs for supports in some or many areas, but those are also not linear.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 8h

@derekberes.bsky.social Listening to the Sept. 29 episode (catching up) and love it but wanted to gently suggest you consider not using the concept of a "location on the spectrum." It's language many autistic people prefer not to use to talk about ourselves.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 2d

I quite like the building, but it isn't super eye-catching. It has a serious and sensible vibe that fits with the overall character of the SCC.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 2d

As a choir nerd, the band geeks are my kin.

Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 2d

At least 15,000 people out yesterday at the rally to support striking Alberta teachers. It was incredible to get on a train packed with people wearing red for ed and see how many came to show they care about public schools.

And of course, in true teacher spirit, the band geeks were there.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 2d

Sure. Okay.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 2d

Be nice to us or we might let them invade you?

Cool, cool.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 5d

Read EPSB candidates' responses to the Progressive Trustee Hub survey here! We sent candidates questions that dig into some key issues this election. You can see both a grade and summary for the candidates' views and read their full replies.

www.supportourstudents.ca/edmontonvote...

Edmonton Public School Board EPSB Elections Candidate Guide

On October 20, vote for public education. Edmonton Public School board trustee candidate guide, based on their open advocacy potential.

www.supportourstudents.ca

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 5d

It's available now! www.supportourstudents.ca/edmontonvote...

Edmonton Public School Board EPSB Elections Candidate Guide

On October 20, vote for public education. Edmonton Public School board trustee candidate guide, based on their open advocacy potential.

www.supportourstudents.ca

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 5d

Also, while I have my personal recommendations, the Progressive Trustee Hub will be sharing survey responses from candidates soon, and those will likely be helpful for people in making decisions. We have no official endorsements as a group, but we hope people will find the information useful.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 5d

She's fantastic! I was delighted when I heard she was running. It will be great to have someone with so much knowledge, experience, and passion for sustainability at the board table.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 5d

Here's Nelson's post. There are two candidates in common between her list and mine, probably because she hasn't realized those candidates will also stand strong for inclusive public education.

Screenshot of a Facebook post by current trustee Marsha Nelson. The text reads:

Marsha Nelson 13h. J Flaco Paco . Choices.
FOUR VOTE MATERS
OK folks, here's what you've been waiting for.my recommendations for Edmonton public trustees! I've attended three different forums and scoured many websites. Some of the candidates seemed brighter than they are because they went to the first round of forums and got all the questions before other candidates, they also had a cabal attending including candidates from other wards (bloc?). So my recommendation is not only based on platforms. It's also based on character and alliances.
Ward A Sherri O'Keefe Ward B Linda Lindsay Ward C Amyjoy Clow Ward D Colette Bachand Ward E Chuck Smit Ward F Julie Kusiek Ward G Corrine Rondeau (2nd Saadiq) Ward H Melanie Hoffman Ward I Jan Sawyer
If you want to know why I've selected any of these candidates, please DM me. And please take the time to scour websites and make your own decisions.
Also, on election day, you will need to ask for a ballot for your ward so make sure you know because there have been errors in the past of folks getting the wrong school board ballot.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 5d

The list I mentioned in my original post was shared by Marsha Nelson, but Nelson, O'Keefe, Sawyer, and Kusiek have been showing up at forums, interacting on social media, and/or showing other support to those candidates.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 5d

I'm planning on writing a post this weekend, but here's my list of who I would support in each ward:

Ward A: Marcelle Kosman
Ward B: Linda Lindsay
Ward C: Holly Nichol
Ward D: Nickela Anderson
Ward E: Sarah Doll
Ward F: Alex Marshall
Ward G: Saadiq Sumar
Ward H: Melanie Hoffman
Ward I: no rec.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 5d

Anyhow, I told you so. That banned book list was leaked by staff who knew this board wouldn't fight for kids. The establishment members of this board are happy to back candidates who want to discriminate against trans kids and ban books.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 5d

They even threw their current colleague, Saadiq Sumar, under the bus (even more reason to support him).

Two progressives made the list (Hoffman and Lindsay), likely because they don't know those people are also committed to standing up for human rights and safe schools for all.

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Bridget Stirling @bridgetstirling.bsky.social · 5d

They're so concerned about progressive candidates who want to stand up clearly and strongly for inclusive education and safe schools and who have held them to account for the last four years that they would rather serve with people who will be actively destructive to EPSB.

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