HOW DO WE SEE (+ STUDY) YOUNG PEOPLE?

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution 

    This documentary was a beautifully inspiring story of joy, grit, and radical change.  The entire time I watched it I couldn't help but feel proud watching how a camp experience planted seeds of activism and hope within the hearts of those young people. The first thing that stood out to me was when one of the counselors said he just applied for a camp counselor job and didn't really know what it entailed. To see then how all of the counselors who applied for this job saw the importance of this camp and made sure that all the campers participated and had an enjoyable experience made my heart happy. As someone who runs a summer camp each year, I am always stressing to my staff that the campers will have fun if they see us have fun and Camp Jened did just that. Campers were allowed to be teenagers who happened to have a disability in comparison to when they're back home and are labeled disabled or handicapped then teens. For the first time in many of the campers' lives, they got the chance to experience youthful bliss, from popularity to young love to winning sports games.  Although some of the actions the teens took could be considered reckless this camp gave them the autonomy to be reckless which is an opportunity that able-bodied teens get to have each and every day. Being treated like people rather than being treated less than human clearly sparked a greater awareness of the unfair treatment and disregard amongst many of the campers and counselors. Judy Heumann was a force to be reckoned with during her time advocating on behalf of the handicapped community but what I believe made the difference in the hearts and minds of those who supported her was the fact that she was a counselor at the camp. She could identify with the campers and not only that but they got to see someone in their community be in a place of leadership. This film highlighted many things but for me the representation and unity at Camp Jened hooked me in.  When a student can see someone with who they can connect based on shared background or lived experience, especially someone who's in an influential position whether it be a camp counselor, executive director of a nonprofit, a teacher, you name it, that connection can be a launching pad for revolutionary change not only for one's self but for so many other people.  

Zora: On Being Outstanding 

    I couldn't help but have audible reactions while reading this story whether it be laughter or utter shock.  The author's point of view really helped to give a holistic depiction of Zora's situation in and out of school and what could be going on in her mind. The biggest takeaway for me was the fact that Zora had such conflicting messaging being shown and taught to her.  Being at home and being raised to be her authentic self and that she's perfect the way, then being told at school to conform can be disheartening and frustrating for an adult let alone for a seven year old. The author wrote "Difference is deviance, and deviance is punishable.", this quote is the perfect statement to describe the silent and sometimes out loud messaging that is pushed in our school systems.  When those who are supposed to be your peers are reinforcing the unfair and restricting status quo or "school expectations" it could feel as if no one is on your side. When you add factors such as race and being the only student of color in the class there's another layer of separation between oneself and the rest of the class, further painting the picture of the odd defiant student. In Zora's situation and I know for sure many other students across this country, there's that fine line between always being reprimanded because of behavior and feeling as though you are being picked on. It seemed as though Mrs. Beverly couldn't help herself sometimes when it came to calling out Zora but at the same time, she was aware of how this could be perceived on the outside. I believe educators have a responsibility to learn how their students operate and meet them where they're at to begin the process of encouraging them to achieve certain goals, whether it be academic, social, or behavioral. Noticeable behavior tells us something and our job is to figure it out, but if our approach is not student-centered and trauma-informed we can unintentionally do more harm than good. No child is unreachable but the depths to reach them can be vast. That's why I appreciated that Mrs. Beverly met with Zora's parents about her having ADHD and how they can work together to help her. 

Overall both of these pieces highlighted the importance of how educators, youth workers, people in places of power and adults overall can and should be doing more students. Even when they aren't saying anything children and youth are always saying something. Both the film and book chapter beautifully illustrated the childlike wonder and joy of life despite current circumstances and if we do more create spaces and provide opportunities for youth to feel free to be themselves and grow, I'm positive that the quality of life would improve.