An episode that tries to make it make sense.
In Episode 124 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, “Justice for Victor,” we confront the tragic police killing of 17-year-old autistic Puerto Rican teen Victor Perez and the systemic failures that led to his death. Centering voices from the Black neurodivergent community, this powerful conversation demands a reimagining of autistic justice beyond white-centered narratives. This episode is a call to action for the autism and neurodiversity movements to prioritize true equity, accountability, and liberation for all.
Here’s what we cover in today’s episode:
In this powerful and somber episode, Angela is joined by Black autistic advocates Faith Clarke and Darren Calhoun to discuss the heart breaking murder of Victor Perez, a non-speaking autistic Puerto Rican teenager.
On April 5th, Victor Perez—a 17-year-old autistic, disabled Puerto Rican teen—was shot by police in his own front yard. He is no longer with us. And now, his family is left to grieve in a system that failed him at every level.
Darren Calhoun is a justice advocate, worship leader, and photographer based in Chicago. He’s the co-host of the Second Sunday podcast, and his work bridges communities across race, gender, and neurodivergence. Darren is a powerful voice for intersectionality and faith-based inclusion, and he’s someone who speaks truth with clarity and compassion.
Faith Clarke wrote her best selling book Parenting Like a Ninja with Angela and it was based in part on her experience as a business owner and mom of a non-speaking autistic son (and a couple of other neurodivergent humans too).
We are especially grateful to Tiffany Hammond who you might remember from our Monster’s High episode a couple of weeks ago — whose writing on her fidgets and fries Instagram in response to Victor’s death called me into deeper reflection. Her words were a turning point for us.
Victor’s Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-for-victor-perez
“quotes”
Victor is not the first. He joins a growing list of young, Black and Brown neurodivergent lives—Stephon Watts. Elijah McClain. Ryan Gainer.
Their stories demand justice.
This episode is about what happened. What should have happened. And what needs to happen next—if we truly want a movement that’s rooted in liberation for all of us. Join the convo with #AutisticCultureCatch!
Related Episodes:
Trivia is Autistic (Episode 27)
Monster High Is Autistic (Episode 117)
Listen to Darren Calhoun on Second Sunday Podcast
Buy Faith Clarkes Book
Faith’s Substack -
Refrenced in this episode:
We Will Rest!: The Art of Escape
Rest Is Resistance: Free yourself from grind culture and reclaim your life
Tiffany Hammond - https://www.instagram.com/fidgets.and.fries/
Camille Proctor/ Color of Autism Foundation https://www.instagram.com/colorofautism/
Othering and Belonging institute: John Powell
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