Statement on the passing of Judy Heumann

Dear Extreme Kids & Crew community,

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of disability rights activist Judy Heumann over the weekend. Her fierce championship of equality and inclusion paved the way for so many of the opportunities and protections we enjoy today. Judy was a trailblazer who fought fearlessly for the rights of all disabled people, advocating for accessible public transportation, education, employment opportunities, and so much more.

We are indebted to Judy’s work, and her legacy will live on as we continue to fight for disability equity in our schools, in our workplaces, and in our homes. We honor her memory by committing ourselves to the work of creating a more inclusive and accessible society, one where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and be their fullest selves.

Our thoughts are with Heumann's loved ones during this difficult time. We thank her for her tireless advocacy and her unwavering commitment to justice and equality for all. May her memory be a blessing.

Sincerely,
The Crew

An Open Letter to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams

Dear Brooklyn Borough President Adams,

We were appalled to hear you call the closing of Willowbrook State School, the Staten Island site of numerous abuses of people with developmental disabilities, a “mistake” on MSNBC’s Morning Joe last Tuesday, while downplaying the nature of the atrocities committed there. These comments suggest an incomplete understanding of the depth of institutional failure at Willowbrook, as well as the harm that disabled people often face in facilities meant to care for them. 

It is imperative that we as a community — both citizens and elected officials — do not forget this history, lest we repeat these mistakes. Remarking that just “a few employees harmed those who were patients at Willowbrook” is a gross understatement that erases the lasting trauma of the thousands of Willowbrook patients and ignores the abuse that many of these same patients still receive today in smaller institutions. It is additionally upsetting that you would conflate the experiences of developmentally disabled people and people with mental illnesses, which ultimately marginalizes both communities and does a disservice to their unique lived experiences.

What happened at Willowbrook was a wake-up call for all of us about how disabled people are treated by the medical industrial complex, and New York City requires a leader who understands this. We encourage you to revisit some of the original coverage surrounding the Willowbrook exposé and listen to those who experienced life there in order to better understand the reality of Willowbrook. 

We hope that you can use this as an opportunity to educate yourself and reflect on the harmful nature of your comments. The point that you appeared to be trying to make — that disabled people are woefully under-served by the state despite an abundance of resources — remains a salient one. We look forward to working with the next mayor in advancing opportunities for, while listening directly to, disabled people across New York City. 

Sincerely,
The staff of Extreme Kids & Crew

Our statement on the court ruling regarding skin shock treatment

We are appalled at this week’s ruling by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals which struck down a regulation that would have banned the use of the graduated electronic decelerator, a skin shock “treatment” that is used to torture people with disabilities. This device — which has drawn criticism from human rights groups, disability advocates, legislators, and more — is used by the Judge Rotenberg Center in Massachusetts on children and adults with developmental disabilities and behavioral disorders, the only place in the country that still does so.

We stand with The Autistic Self Advocacy Network and the broader disability community in denouncing this ruling, and believe it is imperative that we continue to fight for a future where human rights are universal and not dependent on one’s identity. While we find this ruling despicable, we are heartened by the many advocates who continue to fight for justice in these spaces, and we will continue to be vocal in our solidarity. We urge you to do the same. None of us are free until we're all free.

Read The Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s full statement.

Our statement on the recent attacks on the AAPI community

To our community,

Amid a surge in violence toward Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in New York and across the country, Extreme Kids & Crew stands in solidarity with the victims, survivors, and neighbors who are again experiencing the trauma and fear endemic to racism.

These heartbreaking attacks, like Tuesday night’s in Atlanta, may be spurred by xenophobic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are just the latest chapter in our country’s long history of racism and discrimination against Asian-Americans. This is a wake up call that demands we be present in the fight against white supremacy and advocate for greater allyship at home, in the workplace, and in our communities.

Since New York City shut down last March, there have been hundreds of reported incidents of violence against Asian-American New Yorkers, and 76% of Asian-Americans across the country have reported feeling worried about experiencing hate crime, harassment, or discrimination because of COVID-19. Asian-American elders, already disproportionately impacted by the virus, are particularly vulnerable to attacks.

We recognize how important it is to build community-centered support networks grounded in anti-racist practices in order to begin the process of healing. Violence against any of us is felt by all of us, and it’s our responsibility to reimagine forms of public safety that center mutualism, accountability, and restorative justice.

Here are some actions you can take to join the fight against this crisis:

• Report hate crimes where you see them. Inaccurate reporting, which can happen due to language barriers and fears over immigration status, can lead to misrepresentations of the reality of anti-Asian violence. Learn more >>

• Donate to and amplify the work of Asian-American-led community groups and legal defense funds. Learn more >>

• Educate yourself about this recent rise in violence — and America’s long history of anti-Asian violence enacted through both governmental policy and individual action.

• Participate in community-based safety tactics. For example, volunteer for SafeWalks NYC to help escort community members who feel unsafe to and from subway stations.

Places you can donate to:

Asian American Federation

National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum

Welcome to Chinatown

Red Canary Song

CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities

Butterfly (Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network)

More resources from Asian-American community groups:

Safety Tips for Those Experiencing or Witnessing Hate

Asian American Federation’s Anti-Hate Safety Resources 

MovementHub

It's on all of us to #StopAsianHate. Join us.

Sincerely,
Caitlin and The Crew