From a Mother and Advocate
La Becky Roe, Executive Director of Let’s Talk About It – The Autism Center, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, shared the following statement directly with MadameNoire:
“When I hear someone say, ‘there is nothing wrong with them,’ I recognize it is often said out of love—a reflex to protect. However, over the years, I have come to understand how even well-meaning words can carry unintended weight. That phrase, though seemingly harmless, quietly reinforces a dangerous narrative: that there could be something wrong, that autism is a flaw that needs to be excused or defended against.
My son doesn’t need to be defended—he needs to be understood. He needs to be seen, not in contrast to some societal ideal of ‘normal,’ but as whole, worthy, and complete just as he is.”
She continues:
“Affirming, non-pathologizing language is foundational to building inclusive systems and communities. When we talk about neurodiversity, we must move away from medicalized or deficit-based language that reduces people to problems needing to be fixed. This is not just semantics—it influences policy, programming, funding, and public perception.”
Let Her Shine
Therefore, whether Rumi is neurodivergent or not isn’t the point. The point is that if she is, we should be just as proud. Moreover, if she’s not, we should still be raising the bar for how we speak about kids who are.
Rumi is a child. A loved, free, joyful child. Her joy is the best part of the tour clips for a reason. For so many of us—especially those who grew up being told to tone it down, keep still, be “nice,” be “good”—watching her dance and wave was healing.
Not because she reminds us of something “wrong” with us. However, she shows us what it looks like to be unafraid to shine.
Black children deserve softness. They deserve space. They deserve to be different without having to defend it. Moreover, they deserve to see themselves celebrated, not speculated about.
If we really want to protect Rumi—and every Black child like her—we’ve got to unlearn the idea that difference is danger. It’s not. It’s just a difference.
In the Carter household, difference is clearly divine.
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