Well Read with Eric Garcia

The University Libraries at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invites you to a virtual conversation with 2014 Carolina graduate Eric Garcia about his new book, “We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation.” In the book, Garcia uses his reporter’s eye and insider’s perspective to chronicle the state of autism in America. Part manifesto, part memoir and part reported essay, “We’re Not Broken” sees Garcia weave together personal anecdotes, interviews and the latest scientific research to debunk the most pernicious misconceptions about autism and show that autistic people are everywhere—from dating apps to workplaces to Congress—and deserve to have a say in the policies and structures shaping their lives. Garcia is autistic and knows firsthand the consequence of policies that he says have wrongfully focused on finding a cure for autism. That is something, he says, that autistic people don't want and never asked for. His book asks: Instead of prioritizing trying to “fix” autistic people, what can we do to make their lives better? Garcia is a journalist based in Washington, D.C. Previously, he was an assistant editor at the Washington Post's Outlook section, an associate editor at The Hill and a correspondent for National Journal, MarketWatch and Roll Call. He has also written for the Daily Beast, the New Republic and Salon.com.