Crip Time – Kianna Roces Bolante
Crip time is a fundamental concept within disability studies, challenging the conventional understanding of time as a linear, uniform phenomenon experienced by all individuals. Derived from disability culture and activism, it offers a nuanced perspective on temporal experience, emphasizing the diverse ways in which people with disabilities perceive, navigate, and experience time. Unlike the normative perception of time, which assumes a consistent progression marked by predictable milestones and achievements, crip time recognizes the variability and unpredictability of temporal rhythms shaped by disability or chronic illness.
Individuals experiencing crip time may find themselves navigating through life in ways that diverge from societal norms. Tasks may take longer, rest periods may be needed, and routines may differ significantly. Factors such as chronic pain, fatigue, mobility impairments, or differences in cognitive processing can profoundly influence one’s temporal experience. As such, crip time advocates for a more flexible,
accommodating approach to organizing and valuing time, rejecting ableist assumptions about productivity and achievement.
Ellen Samuels, in her article “Six Ways of Looking at Crip Time,” offers a multifaceted exploration of this concept, highlighting its diverse representations and implications encompassing both positive and negative experiences. She discusses how crip time can manifest as a form of “time travel,” pulling individuals out of a typical linear progression. It may also involve periods of “grief time,” marked by the mourning of lost opportunities and lived experiences. Samuels further explains how crip time challenges traditional notions of productivity and worth, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable approach to time management.
Overall, crip time prompts critical reflection on the intersections of disability, temporality, and social justice. It calls attention to the need for structural changes within academic, workplace, and healthcare
settings to accommodate diverse temporalities and ensure greater inclusivity and accessibility.
References:
Samuels, Ellen. “Six Ways of Looking at Crip Time.” Disability Studies Quarterly, vol. 37, no. 3, Summer 2017, https://dsq-sds.org/index.php/dsq/article/view/5824/4684.
Samuels, Ellen, and Elizabeth Freeman. “Introduction: Crip Temporalities.” South Atlantic Quarterly, vol. 120, no. 2, Apr. 2021, pp. 245-54. Silverchair, https://doi.org/10.1215/00382876-8915937.
