Return to flip book view
Writings and reflections on thedocumentary film from first-yearBerkeley students for On the Same Pagea DisabilityRevolutionan essay contest and zineproduced by the Division of Arts &Humanities in the College of Letters & ScienceCrip Camp
all winning essays were selected byScott Saul, Professor, Department of English and On theSame Page faculty committee member reflections onthe film cripcamp, by Jessicapark
Jessica parkOften, we measure our “fortunes” by others’“misfortunes.” Society tends to view disabled people notas people, but as a reminder of our privilege and what wetake for granted, a concept of self-interest thatcontributes to inequality. However, this focus shiftswith the film Crip Camp (2020). The film offers adifferent perspective on disabled people, in which thelens turns solely toward them—allowing us to learn abouttheir lives, experiences, and history. On a patch of land in upstate New York, 70s folk rock cruisesthrough the air, and summer love transpires as smiles are shared.The place is called Camp Jened—a summer camp for disabled people.Many attendees described it as a different world where theydidn’t face inequality and labels. “At Camp Jened, you were justa kid.” Although the camp was its own world, its energy expandedbeyond that. When attendees of Camp Jened noticed the contrast between theirtreatment at the summer camp and the rest of the world, they knewa change needed to happen. Disabled people soon gathered indetermination to advocate for Section 504, a piece of legislationthat ensured disabled people have rights. Led by Judy Heumann,another movement started in support of the ADA. We see footage ofdemonstrations on streets, people inhabiting governmentbuildings, and hunger strikes. But, as Camp Jened attendee and activist Denise Jacobson said,“You can pass a law, but until you change society’s attitudes,the law won’t mean much.” Although the ADA was passed in 1990,inequality continues to linger. The root of inequality isn’t ourdifferences. Rather, it’s our mindset—it’s how we react to thedifferences. Crip Camp has a significant role in impacting ourperspective. Through this film, we can understand our differencesrather than placing a certain value on them.
an essay by Juana Penalosa Being differentis not wrong
Juana PenalosaWhy does our society praise similarities but condemndifferences? A question that crossed my mind repeatedlywhen watching Newnham & LeBrecht's 2021 documentary CripCamp. Throughout history, people have been categorized as“different” when they do not comply with the beliefs,physical image and attitudes society has established as“normal”. This eye-opening documentary presents this ideathrough the lives and experiences of individuals withdisabilities and their fight for rights and equity knownas the 504 movement. For these disabled teenagers, CampJened became their home, the only place where they couldfeel comfortable being themselves. One of the camperseven called it a utopia, because the world outside wassynonym of isolation and harshness.I have pigmentary mosaicism, a genetic condition that makesmy skin look different than everyone else’s. Growing up,society made me believe being different was wrong. So, Icompletely understood James LeBrecht’s struggles with self-esteem due to his lack of bladder control, because ofsocietal constructs. But my condition has made me experiencewhat being different truly feels like, realizing it’s asuperpower rather than an issue. We should collectively workon finding ways to make everyone find their place, andgenuinely feel that they belong. Everyone who has the opportunity should watch thismovie, as it leads to reflections of ourselves and of theway our society works. As a woman in the documentarysaid, “You can pass a law but until you change societiesattitudes, the law won’t mean much”. Watching thisdocumentary, being impacted by it, and reflecting on whatis going on around you is the first step towards thisgreat change we all are part of.
reflections on thefilm crip camp, byvictoria fan
Victoria fan"Crip Camp" rewinds the timeline back to the 1970s, to CampJened, to a group of people with disabilities. Collaging oldvideo records and photographs, the documentary beautifully tellsthe stories, struggles, and strengths of the youngsters andcaptures the bonds they forged at Camp Jened. To many, thisutopia is the catalyst that later inspires them to embark on ajourney fighting for equal rights for those with disabilities.Unlike traditional hero’s journey stories, "Crip Camp” does notfall victim to the false positivity narrative with neatresolutions and happy endings. It is powerful in its unfilteredportrayal of the continuous, difficult fight of the people withdisabilities within a broken society. Even with the extraordinarycourage and determination of those who refuse to be silenced, whodemand everyone’s rights to be respected, progress is made slowand hard. Though landmark legislatures have passed, the fightcontinues. Activists work endlessly to make sure that existinglegislations do not get repealed and are effectively implemented.Though the documentary ends, the fight for rights does not. Itleaves the audience wondering about the movement’s next steps,and their own possible role in supporting such a cause. It urgespeople to look beyond apparent stereotypes to recognize that whatis actually impaired is society, not the people withdisabilities. By unveiling the injustices faced by those withdisabilities and by spotlighting their hardships in creatingchanges, “Crip Camp” is a reminder that every individual has arole to play in the ongoing fight for justice and equality bybreaking the barriers of harmful stereotypes and nurturing asociety where diversity is embraced.
stream the documentary film for free atonthesamepage.berkeley.edu
visit berkeley news for a podcastinterview with the directors, byAnne brice“I want to see a feisty group of disabledpeople all around the world. People who willnot accept "No" without asking "Why?" That'sreally what's so critical about CIL is thatit's not a card that you get handed at thedoor, but it is kind of a demand that isexpected of people in this community. And thatis, if you don't respect yourself, and if youdon't demand what you believe in for yourself,you're not going to get it." —Judy Heumann (a quote fromCrip Camp audio referenced inthe berkeley news interview)
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolutionwas directed by James LeBrecht andNicole NewnhamLearn more about the film andresources at UC Berkeley atonthesamepage.berkeley.edu
poster by armaanmumtaz, art practice '23
On the Same Page gives new students (and everyoneelse) at Berkeley something in common to talk about:a work that has changed the way we view the world. Crip Camp reminds us of the power of community andactivism to change the world.Thanks for following along on the same pageThis zine was produced by the Division of Arts andHumanities dean's office for the On the Same Page programwithin the College of Letters & Science