Okay guys we need to talk. I enjoy Camp Camp. I think itâs a pretty fun show with interesting characters and a decent plot, but it has some major issues the fans really need to stop ignoring. This is in no way a definitive list, nor is it in any particular order, but here are some of the things that bothered me most and ought to be addressed:
 - Doplhâs whole character. Even if I wasnât Jewish, this would still be a complaint. Heâs a young child so clearly based off of Hitler, and the questionable things he does are just ignored or pushed aside (ie. his âdogâ painting in ep.1, the entire Reigny Day episode, especially the armbands, etcâŠ). Were an actual child behaving this way, pushing aside and/or ignoring their behavior will allow it to fester and grow into an even more harmful thing.Â
 - The entire Order of the Sparrow. Listen, as a child, I was part of one of those âIndian Princessâ camping troupes. From the time I was 5-7, I actively participated in this appropriation, stereotyping, and mockery of Cherokee culture. Around 8 I began to understand what I did wrong, and still am repentant today. Yes, in the episode Max points out how horribly racist the whole thing is, but David - a character we see as âgoodâ - continues simply due to childhood nostalgia. Gwen doesnât stop him. QM doesnât stop him. Despite the children eventually wearing genuine Indian costumes at the end and Maxâs exclamation, there is no true condemnation for Davidâs actions, nor is he sorry.
 - The Jew jokes. This one should be obvious. In episode 2, Max asks the Quartermaster what happened to his hand, and he mutters under his breath but clearly says âthe Jewsâ. Later, at the end of the episode, Max asks David âSo whatâs the deal with the Quartermaster and Jews?â, which treats the whole scenario as a joke. In Cult Camp, Neil, a Jewish-coded character, tells Dolph that heâs uncomfortable that specifically Dolph is sending specifically Neil into what is, essentially, a gas chamber. While this is a valid concern, itâs not treated as one in the show. Itâs treated as a joke. Jewish people have been the brunt of many jokes for years, and allowing this to continue is perpetuation and permitting antisemitism and should not be ignored.Â
 - Gay jokes are something only gay people should make about themselves as a form of humor and levity. Speaking from the point of a gay person, I can say that Camp Camp has done a poor job of steering clear of gay jokes. In Scoutâs Dishonor, Nikki makes a gay joke at the end, and Neil scolds her, but no real apology is made. But this is nothing compared to the episode Jermy Fartz. When Jermy dresses himself as a bundle of âpineâ twigs, Max very clearly attempts to yell out âf*ggotâ. That work has been used for years as a derogatory term for gay people, and should never be used in a joke, declaration, or insult. Again, at the end of the episode, Nikki says she finally gets what Max was trying to say, but is cut off before she says the word. Just because the show never actually says the f-slur, it doesnât make it okay. Again, a minority is treated as a joke and a history of oppression is made fun of and swept under the rug.
 - Bonquisha. Starting in episode 7, Bonquisha was introduced as a joke. Max swept right on Davidâs tinder account, doing so as a prank, implying that either she was undesirable, or that it would be funny to have a tough, black woman go out with David. When she shows up, sheâs shown as a shallow stereotype of a strong âghettoâ black woman. This image of her is enforced in Bonjour Bonquisha as she lives in a trailer park, with her tough shirts, and her vehicle. To be fair, I would wear those shirts, but that isnât the point. Bonquisha is a shallow character stemming from a harmful stereotype. Hell, even her name is a joke! âBonquishaâ is a name used to describe when a white boy acts a racist stereotype of a black woman. Her character is treated as a joke because she is what many see as a âtypical ghetto black womanâ.Â
 - Nurf and his abuse of Preston. Eggs Benefits was an interesting episode that displayed many parenting methods and a lot about the kids themselves, however one crucial thing is ignored. Nurf and Preston are paired together, and over time, Nurf becomes more and more controlling, going from emotional manipulation to physical abuse of Preston. Other characters see this, but nothing is done about it. It is never acknowledged and the show doesnât bring it up again. Abuse of any kind should not be made light of. There is no excuse.
 - Cameron Campbellâs involvement in Thailand. This one Iâll keep short, because I am not in a position nor knowledgeable enough to speak in depth about it. Campbell finds himself the Prime Minister of Thailand, implying that he, a white man, was able to take control of a second-world country through illegal, immoral means, and abandons them. His quip about the Thai people not needing running water because the camp was âdoing just fineâ was tasteless and offensive.Â
 Some other things that I want to mention:
 - Cameron Campbellâs gold bricks containing Nazi imageryÂ
- The depiction of Mexico literally only consisting of a drug cartel
 - The use of Nerf having a boyfriend being a throwaway joke like âhaha tough kid doesnât fall into your stereotypes how funny"Â
- Also: Itâs not in the show, but jesus fuck people shipping Max//vid or any counsellor/camper ship is fucking pedophilia and can not be ignored, endorsed, or tolerated. I know not all y'all do it, and many condemn it, but still.
 Basically, I think the fans of Camp Camp need to acknowledge these issues and understand why they shouldnât be ignored or endorsed. I donât know anything about the showâs creators, but I intend to do research and probably send some strongly worded messages.
Look, I like the show, I do. I was like Nikki as a kid, I think David makes a decent role model for the kids, and honestly would adopt Nerris in a heartbeat, but just because you enjoy something doesnât mean you canât, or shouldnât, be critical of it. If anything, enjoying something gives an obligation to acknowledge and condemn toxic elements to make the media safer, better, and welcoming of everyone.
 (I am speaking as a white, gay jew who has been a victim of abuse. As I am not a black woman, Thai, or Mexican, please feel free to correct my statements on those matters.)
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