Ban 'Midget' From TV, Little People Group Says

NEW YORK — Little people are calling on the Federal Communications Commission to ban the use of the word "midget" on broadcast TV.

The group Little People of America said Sunday the word is just as offensive as racial slurs.

The request was prompted by an April episode of NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" that the group said was demeaning.

In the episode, contestants created a detergent ad called "Jesse James and the Midgets." The contestants, including Joan Rivers, suggested bathing little people in the detergent and hanging them to dry.

Calls to the FCC and "Celebrity Apprentice" host Donald Trump were not immediately answered Sunday. NBC Universal representatives didn't immediately respond to e-mail messages, and the telephone rang unanswered at their Los Angeles office.

Comments

[onwisconsin]

All people should have a right to determine what they want to be called. There has been a long history of dehumanizing little people in Western culture. They were owned in courts throughout Europe, trained as jesters to perform and treated like animals. They have often been sold off to circuses to perform or forced to work in ways that are demeaning throughout history, even in the US. The Little People of America is an association that has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of little people. I only know a few LPs but they just want to live normal lives, free from being called names like
"midget" or being touched on the head by the odd passerby. They are just smaller people who have some sort of genetic issue that causes them to grow differently. They need to adjust the world to themselves and sometimes they have significant bone issues that need to be addressed. Otherwise, I've found my friends to be just like anyone else. But the thing is, I have my health issues too. We all have our problems in life. We shouldn't add hurtful words to the mix. Call people what they want to be called and rid yourself of hateful vocabulary. It's not just PC; it's called being a compassionate and caring human being. So you say didn't know before that it was offensive? Well, now you do. Don't use the word. Say Little People.

[jaschrod]

All midget means, is that something, or someone is small for its kind.It does not in any way insinuate that there is anything bad about being small.

[AdV2k1]

onwisconsin you speak the truth. I'm disgusted in how few people on this blog get it.

[BadDayInProgress]

Well said, onwisconsin.

[ArtJunky]

I correct people at work and other social situations and I'm tired of being the bad guy for doing what is right. It's about time the Media stops this running insult against people that don't deserve it.

As long as the Television shows degrade and put these people in horrendously humiliating roles on our TV; as long as they think its OK to make fun, people will continue to think its just OK to make fun of them by using this disgusting term. "Embrace it?" What kind of fantasy do you live in? Have you bothered, for a second, to consider what it's like to live like them?

I've known little people and there's nothing funny about the daily humiliation they have to face because people think it's fun to laugh at them.

They should ban this. I just wonder why it's taken so long. Perhaps some day we can get to the point where everyone realized just how awful it was to treat people this way.

[jaschrod]

You cannot help people who would laugh at someone's differences, but the word midget is just an adjective with no negative connotation. Any thing can be negative if you allow it. Little can mean; not strong, pitiful, petty, narrow, and mean, which are not positive. Little has many more negative connotations than midget. But, if that is what they choose, then so be it.

[dyldrix]

I think people need to re evaluate the meaning of Free Speech...take my word for it, it does not mean outlawing everything hurtful

[CyndiC]

no outlawing needed - just understanding. no complaint was filed for the word to be banned only about the derogatory use on the Celebrity Apprentice show.

[iplaw]

Apparently the "height challenged" have never heard of the First Amendment.

[CyndiC]

I have heard of the First Amendment and I don't think it will be banned or should be - just acknowledged by the FCC it's offensive like the 'n' word.

[CyndiC]

I am height challenged and have a few complications because of my dwarfism. But I have heard of the First Amendment and in no way are we asking for the word to be banned. Use it all you want as you do have that freedom. Just want to educate and show how the word is hurtful, offensive and derogatory. The AP article is incorrect.

[LMPE]

Isn't there a scientific difference between midget and dwarf?

[Ponderus]

"Midget" is not a scientific term.

[iplaw]

The odds of the offspring of males under 5 ft tall having chronic medical problems is extremely high. If I were short and wanted children I would adopt or get sperm donor.

[MacManLB]

...but dwarf is?

[OkieIntellectual]

I agree with comedian Ralphie May on this one... you're not a "dwarf" unless you're in direct posession of a battle axe.

[deadcustodian]

Was this some kind of TV s tunt?

[hknox]

So does that mean the British car is now an MG Little Person? I'm small for an adult male, but not small enough to be a midget, so where does that put me?

[Artos]

If I recall their used to be a word "Shrimp" that referred to anyone in that category. Maybe you fall under that one.

[deadcustodian]

My my there is no shortage of unhappy people.

[iplaw]

I would be pretty damn unhappy if I were a dwarf. You can't walk very far and have a short life span filled with chronic joint pain.

[thinkingwomanmillstone]

I think every group should have the right to determine its own name. Why should someone not in the group get to make this decision for them. Drawf has long been acceptable to use as it is the name for the general medical condition. If it is no longer acceptable, then I will change. Midget has been used as a sideshow label and an insult forever. How hard is it to change one word. I think all of the snide remarks and objections are from people who haven't endured being the brunt of many jokes because you are different.

[Sneedsnood]

I'm a little surprised at the mean spirited remarks. Not being a "little person" I have no idea what it's like, but if their lives can be made easier by changing a word, I'm happy to do it. Frankly, "little person" sounds more offensive to me, but in this case I'll defer to those who are more personally affected.

[UsofA]

You've illustrated the point of this whole exercise. I'm with you.

[bellecloche]

Thanks.

[dougom]

Can't we just ban Joan Rivers instead?

[UsofA]

Now there's a midget.

[deckard70]

I see dictionary notices indicating it is "now offensive". But when did it change from being a simple noun to being offensive? Who was responsible for changing the meaning? And why should he or she get away with it?

[Gaia's Shadow]

It has long been offensive. It isn't a "simple noun." You merely show your ignorance. It is a circus/sideshow label and it no longer describes anyone accurately, as there are very few people now who can be accurately described as "midgets" (proportional dwarves), since most proportional forms of dwarfism are treated now. Midget has long been used as a term to demean and insult small-statured people, and it is particularly hurtful to dwarves, who have to live with a lot of physical challenges and social ostracization as it is. How hard is it to respect this history and the dignity of a fellow human being? How hard is it to simply refrain from using a word that hurts others?

[iplaw]

You think this country is bad now, wait till we lose free speech.

[knerd]

It's interesting to me how some can demean self-conscious kind language as "pollitically correct speech."

[Deaninphilly]

Funny growing up in the 70's, midget was how they referred to themselves as. I never even heard the phrase little people until a few years ago. Even on the show Little People, Big World I've heard the word midget.

IMO as in soooooo many cases of PC the loud mouths always seem to speak for "everyone" without actually consulting everyone they supposedly speak for.

[deckard70]

But it doesn't make sense! If you call a gay person gay, the word gay doesn't become offensive. Unless it is said with a sneer. But even if it is said with a sneer, it should not prompt everyone to drop the word gay because some people said it with a sneer. Moreover, you didn't answer the question of who said it with an offensive intent that turned it into an offensive term. You note that circuses used the term, but they weren't using it offensively. Someone must know when it turned into an offensive term.

[plages]

Its all about the "Lime Light, no matter how dimly it shines!"

[jweider]

Would they feel better if we just called them short people?

[Andrew Barker 1]

The correct term is Little People.

[cmk1967]

For how long? In a few years the word "little" will upset them.

[Ponderus]

Little people is the accepted term, or, sometimes, persons of short stature.

"They" and "them" will be grateful for your kindness, I'm sure.

[AgentMacGyver]

Isn't that "kindness" exactly what "they" are demanding from you, your silly quotation marks, and everyone else?

[CBC2]

And by God, we dirty old men demand to be only refered to henceforth as Sexy Seniors!