4 Things Uncanny Valley Girl & Auto-da-fé have in Common
In 1478, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, had taken the Spanish throne and wanted the country unified around the Catholic Church. They established the Inquisition to eliminate Jewish and Muslim people, heretics, and dissenters, and to keep the public tyrannized and controlled. Hundreds of thousands were executed during the Inquisition over a few hundred years
The Auto-da-fé, the last part of the process, was a kind of outdoor church service overflowing with pomp and circumstance. This elaborate religious ceremony was manufactured to instill fear and reverence for the Church. After a sermon, the sentences were read to the prisoners, who were paraded around in a humiliating procession before being sent to prison or executed. In 1834, the Spanish Queen regent abolished the Inquisition.
Accusation and judgment: Autos-da-fé were public spectacles where individuals were accused of heresy or other offenses against religious norms. Similarly, the autistic experience often involves being accused and judged for perceived social or communication "offenses" against neurotypical norms. Autistic traits, such as unconventional communication styles or overbearing personalities, can be misinterpreted and labeled as deceitful, insensitive, or repellant by neurotypical individuals.
Social ostracism and isolation: Just as autos-da-fé often led to severe consequences for the accused, such as banishment or execution, the autistic experience can involve social exclusion and isolation. The sentence of "banishment to liminal lands and eternal isolation" mirrors the way autistic individuals may feel marginalized and pushed to the fringes of social acceptance. They may struggle to find understanding, acceptance, and meaningful connections within mainstream society.
Prejudice and intolerance: Autos-da-fé were often fueled by prejudice and a lack of understanding, with the accused being labeled as degenerate or abject. Similarly, autistic individuals frequently face prejudice, ignorance, and intolerance due to a lack of awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity. The comparison highlights the harmful consequences of societal biases and the need for greater empathy and inclusion.
Systemic oppression: Autos-da-fé were not isolated incidents, but rather, part of a larger system of religious persecution and control. Similarly, the comparison suggests that the mistreatment and marginalization of autistic individuals are systemic issues that stem from societal norms and expectations favoring neurotypical behavior and communication styles. It draws attention to the need for societal change and the dismantling of oppressive structures. (Decoloniality).
