No Crumbs... Let Us Eat Cake!

 When I started watching Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, I was prepared to feel a sense of pity for the people on screen, expecting to confront the painful reality of how society mistreats and marginalizes those with disabilities. I anticipated having to face my own past mistakes and unintentional biases. To my surprise, I didn’t end up feeling pity at all. Instead, I was left with a profound sense of awe and wonder at the strength and resilience of the individuals featured. The documentary made it clear that when people come together with a shared goal and belief, they can achieve remarkable things.

One particular moment that hit me hard was Judy Heumann’s speech after the ADA bill was finally passed. Her comment about being "tired of being thankful for accessible toilets" really struck a nerve. At first, I thought she should take a moment to appreciate the progress made, considering how hard it was to get the ADA passed. But then I realized that Heumann had every right to be frustrated. It wasn’t just about accessible toilets; it was about the broader issue of not settling for minimal changes. Her frustration made me reflect on how often I, too, have been conditioned to accept small victories instead of pushing for what is truly deserved. In essence, I have spent my life being happy with crumbs, while others are having giant slices of cake. Just as Heumann and her fellow activists refused to accept anything less than full equity, I realized I shouldn’t settle for less in my own life.

Similarly, while reading Carla Shalaby’s Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School, I felt a strong sense of righteous anger on Zora’s behalf. As a former teacher, I was deeply affected by how Zora was treated. The way she was isolated and punished for not conforming was painful to read and reminded me of my own experiences with students who struggled within rigid educational systems. The treatment Zora received from her school was a glaring example of how systems often fail to support those who are different.

Both Crip Camp and Troublemakers share a critical insight: societal and institutional systems frequently demand conformity and respond to difference with resistance rather than support. The experiences of the activists in Crip Camp and Zora’s struggles at school both reveal how these systems often penalize rather than accommodate those who don’t fit conventional norms. This overlap highlights a crucial truth—real change requires more than just surface-level adjustments; it demands a fundamental shift in how we address and support differences.

These reflections emphasize that true progress and inclusion involve more than merely accommodating differences; they require a profound transformation in societal norms and practices. The lessons from Crip Camp and Troublemakers urge us to strive for genuine, substantial change and to challenge the systems that perpetuate inequality. They remind us that we should not settle for less and should continually push for a more equitable and inclusive world.