Summary:

 In Chapter 14 of O’Toole’s Keywords for Disability, Victoria Ann Lewis describes the loaded history of the word “crip”, and the way that crip genres of identity have been expanded upon since the 1980s. Once a slur used as a diminutive of difficulty (i.e. “crip course” (46)), the term “crip” has adopted an ironic affection, and is now most recognized by academics among other terms that reclaim the stigma of disability. 

Since then, the term has exploded throughout disability discourse: from “crip it” (47), to “crip zen” (46). “Cripping”, like “queering”, is now considered an effective means of demonstrating “dominant assumptions and exclusionary effects” (47) when applied to media. The two are repeatedly referred to in tandem throughout Chapter 14.

In conclusion, “crip”, sometimes written as “krip” to distinguish from the infamous gang, is showing no signs of slowing down, and goes to show how the allowance for self-definition can be generative of new forms of expression within, and beyond, the community.

Quotations: 

1) “With the emergence of the disability civil rights movement in the 1970 s, ‘crip’ gained wide usage as an informal, affectionately ironic, and provocative identification among people with disabilities.” (46)

2) “While there are examples of ‘crip’ converted into a verb as far back as the fourteenth century, where we read of ‘a beeste that was broken and Cripped ,’ our contemporary usage seems to have originated in academic discourse as a critical strategy borrowed from queer studies.” (47)

3) Sandahl also notes the two positions [queerness and cripness] share ‘a radical stance towards concepts of normalcy’, a position that McRuer describes as a shared ‘resistance to cultural homogenization’”. (47)

Reflections:

Lewis’ text, though brief, paints a bright future for the use of “crip” as a type of strategic language. I will say, in case my personal experience is not sufficient, that I think it’s wonderful that verbiage can inspire such feelings of community, ownership, and empowerment when they once inflicted pain. Affectionate terms are a great way to increase comfort, and promote self-confidence. Lewis’ paper also underscores the intersectional lines between queer and crip theory, which is equally fascinating, and I think exploring that shared history would make for a great essay. However, I would not personally advocate for the use of this term, because in my own experience I’ve seen it used mainly as a pejorative.