Party in the streets: Kate Lacour on creating inclusive public celebrations

“When society decides to celebrate, who’s getting an invite, and who’s being excluded?” (1:04). Art therapist Kate Lacour poses this question in her TED talk, featured in this episode of the TEDx Shorts podcast from February 21, 2021. Lacour explains how she has helped teenagers with autism participate in Mardi Gras, a joyously noisy and colorful month-long public celebration in New Orleans with parades, music, masks, floats, and costumes. As you listen, think about the connection Lacour draws to a larger goal, making public celebrations “more attentive to the needs of all.”

Kate Lacour, "Fight for Your Right to Party," TEDx Shorts, 21 February 2021

 

1. Sometimes a “they say” argument is not directly stated but rather is implied or assumed. How would you describe the “they say” argument motivating Lacour’s argument? Using a template from Chapter 1, compose a statement Lacour could have used in her TED talk to introduce the “they say” argument she is responding to.
   
2. According to Lacour, autism is neither a “binary” nor a “spectrum” (2:05-2:15). What does she mean by that? What does she say makes celebrations like Mardi Gras challenging for some people with autism? What are two ways she and her team prepared teenagers with autism for the Mardi Gras celebration (3:11-4:19)?
3. How does Lacour address the question of “So what?” in her talk (4:41)? What are the larger consequences of her argument, including for people with autism, their families, and the larger community? Beyond Mardi Gras, what is Lacour’s larger goal? What role does she say that “you,” the listener, plays in making public celebrations and spaces more accessible and inclusive (5:15)?
4. Lacour argues that there is a “simple answer” to including people with autism in public celebrations: “with practice, practice, practice and accommodation” (3:03). What norms, practices, and expectations around public celebrations might complicate the idea that the solution is “simple”? Some argue that people with autism should be taking the lead on autism advocacy, as stated in the slogan used by autism activists that there should be “nothing about us, without us.” Read this article, which explains this movement, and describe how you think autism activists might respond to Lacour’s argument.

Comments

[Alexa Joseph]

I love doing partying in the streets. Check this blog about parties. https://gbofficial.net/gbwhatsapp-apk-download/

[erica]

They say arguments could of been implied by showing how others feel about the subject and then how the writer feels about parties in the streets. Lacour points out to a larger goal, making public celebrations “more attentive to the needs of all.” Which in a way its a nice way to get evryone to feeling more welcomed since they are open events.

[Ashlee + Tarsia]

Lacour argues that all people should be included in things like Mardi Gras, concerts, etc. All people includes those who have autism. Her “they say” isn’t necessarily what someone is saying, it’s more based on the actions of what people aren’t doing. These events are not accommodating everyone. People with autism can be triggered by things like flashing light and loud noises which is mostly what happens at Mardi Gras. Lacour prepares her team by letting them create costumes and decorations so they can understand what kind of things they will see. They are also put in similar test situations to show what Mardi Gras would be like, it teaches them about the things they can expect and how they can handle the situations. Lacour’s “so what” explains how people with autism are part of the community and should be able to attend events just as anyone else in the community can. She explains that “parents, family members need to prepare them to do this.” She states that in order for this goal to become a reality, the listener “need[s] to provide the acceptance.”

[Jailyn]

Lacour's argument is about parties and other events accepting all types of people, there should be no excluding of others. Autistic people have the right to party and enjoy themselves just as much as anybody else does. This is more of an "I say" argument because it's all based off of her opinion. The community should welcome all individuals to events because nobody can tell another person they aren't allowed to attend. Especially because of a health condition.