THE BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM

by Matthew E. Henry

State police in Massachusetts have begun implementing a program to improve interactions with people on the autism spectrum, building upon legislation that won Senate approval in January and remains before a House committee. —WBUR, April 10, 2024

the purpose: to support drivers with autism spectrum disorders 

during traffic stops. to ensure more sensitive communication

by law enforcement, drivers with ASD will hand a blue-backed 

envelope containing their license, registration, and a checklist 

of tips for the officer(s) on scene.

 

as a teacher, I wonder how this new social skill is scaffolded—

who reviews and instructs in advance of the practical exam. 

being Black, I wonder if this effort to reduce anxiety and 

enhance understanding, gave any thought to differentiating 

for ASD motorists of color. who carefully cautions them on

 

 

how to avoid and maintain eye contact 

and knowing the inherent dangers of both

 

how to calmly comply with contradicting orders

 

how to remain silent while being screamed at 

 

how to contend with the confusion of sarcasm 

or being called “boy” when over the age of 12 

 

how to hold hands at 10 and 2 until told otherwise

 

how and where to store their blue envelope

 

how and where to store their blue envelope for safe retrieval 

 

how to retrieve their blue envelope safely

 

how to remain safe while retrieving their blue envelope

 

how to make no sudden movements while retrieving their blue envelope

 

how to retrieve their blue envelope while making no sudden movements

 

how to forget Steven Washington, Stephon Watts, 

Dainell Simmons, Troy Canales, Osaze Osagie, 

Matthew Rushin, Ryan Gainer, and…

Matthew E. Henry (MEH) is the author of six collections, including the Colored page and The Third Renunciation. He is editor-in-chief of The Weight Journal and an associate poetry editor at Pidgeonholes and Rise Up Review. The 2023 winner of the Solstice Literary Magazine Stephen Dunn Prize, MEH is an educator who received his MFA yet continued to spend money he didn’t have completing an MA in theology and a PhD in education. You can find him at www.MEHPoeting.com writing about education, race, religion, and burning oppressive systems to the ground.