From this weeks view list I decided to dive into the Netflix Documentary Crip Camp. As soon as I saw the list I knew this is the one I wanted to watch because I have a younger brother who has a disability. My younger brother was diagnosed with Autism at a young age. I have seen first hand not only how cruel other kids can be but adults. Quick to judge and label him as “weird”. I have seen school after school let him down because they were unable to meet his needs. It is because of all the things I have seen him go through that I decided to watch this documentary and it did not disappoint. It inspired. 

I really loved Caitlyn’s post. I felt that it spoke to the documentary a little bit because of the way that these people with disabilities are portrayed in the media and the way they are oppressed. The documentary really showed how this group of people were not only sharing experiences but were sharing this common experience of oppression. In this camp as they came together and realized all they truly shared then they began to find strength in one another and realized that they needed to take this outside of the camp. The documentary explored how all sorts of alums became leaders in not only their communities but at national levels joining other activist in the fight for the disabled. Through an interview given to deadline they made it clear that this film was not meant to be a deep understanding into  people with disabilities and the life that they live but what they wanted was to reframe peoples perceptions on what living with a disability is really like and how it can match our peoples own everyday lives. As someone who has mental illnesses seeing that through the film and then reading what their goal was sealed the film for me. For some reason when people hear about my diagnosis or that I have a younger brother who is Autistic they tend to pity me or him like how do we function. What they don’t realize is that although it may be harder it is not impossible to lead the same life that others are living. People with disabilities can still go on to chase their dreams. The media needs to stop portraying them as these pitiful human beings. Ignore the patriarchal media bull as Catilyn’s post says.

Another post I really loved was Belkis’ post. It made me think of the section of the text where it examines how young people speak the world listens. The text gave the exact example that came to mind when I first read the title, Greta Thunberg. At only 15 she was making global headlines for her activism. People wanted to listen to her despite being so young. Younger people are often thought of as actually not knowing what they are speaking about, as if their age makes their ideas or opinions any less. This made me think of a few Tiktoks I saw. They commented on how Gen Z is not afraid to speak up there is no filter. I believe that we are growing up in households that may not be the most evolved or modern but we are growing up more with the new ideas and mindsets that we can now carry on into our own futures. As the text stated change begins at home  and every conversation matters. Have the tough and uncomfortable conversations. Inspire the next group to take to the streets and demand change like so many did for the Women’s March this past weekend and as the photo from Belkin’s post shows has been going on for longer than one can even begin to imagine. 

deadline interview: https://deadline.com/2020/12/crip-camp-directors-jim-lebrecht-nicole-newnham-netflix-documentary-interview-1234663377/amp/