The word "midget"

[bcla]

There are hundreds of types of dwarfism. This is not changed by popular perceptions. You don't get to decide who fits the mold for the label "dwarf," nor what is the generally their head size proptionate to their body. Not every post needs a response. Especially when you're putting down and labeling a group of people. Silence would have been golden.

When did I put down anyone or mention that there's only one type of dwarfism? I'm referring to the most common form of dwarfism.

https://medlineplus.gov/dwarfism.html

A dwarf is a person of short stature - under 4' 10" as an adult. More than 200 different conditions can cause dwarfism. A single type, called achondroplasia, causes about 70 percent of all dwarfism. Achondroplasia is a genetic condition that affects about 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 40,000 people. It makes your arms and legs short in comparison to your head and trunk. Other genetic conditions, kidney disease and problems with metabolism or hormones can also cause short stature.​

 

[SMD]

When did I put down anyone or mention that there's only one type of dwarfism? I'm referring to the most common form of dwarfism.

https://medlineplus.gov/dwarfism.html

A dwarf is a person of short stature - under 4' 10" as an adult. More than 200 different conditions can cause dwarfism. A single type, called achondroplasia, causes about 70 percent of all dwarfism. Achondroplasia is a genetic condition that affects about 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 40,000 people. It makes your arms and legs short in comparison to your head and trunk. Other genetic conditions, kidney disease and problems with metabolism or hormones can also cause short stature.​

You made your generalization before you knew it was the most common form for dwarfism. If you didn't have an accurate answer, you didn't need to respond with an answer. Then you doubled down with some ridiculous notion that popular perception of people's appearance is what decides how you label them. Applying labels to people based on generalizations and your perceptions of their appearance is rude, if not offensive.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Seriously?

Seriously. I've only ever heard "Oriental" used in exactly the same way one would use "Caucasian".

 

[E&Cmom]

As someone who is in th 4'9-4'10 range, I can't stand the word. Same thing goes for munchkin. Just call me short.

 

[roseaster]

Seriously. I've only ever heard "Oriental" used in exactly the same way one would use "Caucasian".

Okay, seriously, I also find this very hard to believe. I am 46 years old, so not a spring chicken, but not picking out cemetery plots yet, either. I have known my entire life not to use the word "oriental" to describe a person. Unless you are my Nana's age, which is 98, BTW, or you don't have a very accepting social circle, I cannot believe this is the 1st time you are hearing it.

My mother is 80. Even she says "Asian."

 

[thepicklebee]

I understand that "midget" is no longer acceptable to refer to little people. But it used to be didn't it? Why is not longer acceptable? Is the same thing going to happen to "little people"?

Are there any little people on the DIS that could enlighten and educate us?

Midget was first used to describe little people in carnival/circus acts and "freak shows" and then took on common usage.

Did it used to be? I guess? In the same way that "it used to be" acceptable to refer to others in words that most people would find objectionable today.

Is the same thing going to happen to the term little people? Maybe? Does it matter?

You could substitute any hateful and derogatory word for any race/religion/subset of people for the word you chose and the questions would be just as ludicrous.

The "m" word is offensive. Don't use it. Not really a difficult concept.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Okay, seriously, I also find this very hard to believe. I am 46 years old, so not a spring chicken, but not picking out cemetery plots yet, either. I have known my entire life not to use the word "oriental" to describe a person. Unless you are my Nana's age, which is 98, BTW, or you don't have a very accepting social circle, I cannot believe this is the 1st time you are hearing it.

My mother is 80. Even she says "Asian."

I'm 49 & have never outside the Dis heard of "Oriental" used in any manner other than to describe race (which "Asian" does not do, BTW). What that has to do with the "acceptance level" of my social circle, I haven't a clue.

 

[jedi_howard]

I'm 49 & have never outside the Dis heard of "Oriental" used in any manner other than to describe race (which "Asian" does not do, BTW). What that has to do with the "acceptance level" of my social circle, I haven't a clue.

I wouldn't worry too much about this. We had this conversation amongst a group a friends not to long back. I was curious if some of them, being from Asia, found the term offensive. They thought it was hilarious that a bunch of white folks would bent all bent out of shape over a term they never gave a second thought to. The only one that said she wouldn't like it was because she was from Nepal. i.e. not eastern Asia. Basically don't let the social justice warriors brow beat you down. It is what it is.

 

[DizBelle]

Yes, thank you. The type of dwarfism that people are most familiar with is achondroplasia. In which the arms and legs are short but the torso and skull are of average size. It is a genetic disorder. There are many types of genetic dwarfism.

In the case of a lot of munchkins in The Wizard of Oz, they had pituitary dwarfism. Caused by an underfunctioning pituitary gland, so they were just people of very short stature. Not a genetic disorder. Pituitary dwarfism doesn't exist in 1st world countries any more because of advances in medical science doctors are able to replace pituitary hormones.

In reality what does it really matter why people want to be called what they want to be called? Or whether it is a "new" term (little people certainly is not) or whether it isn't the term you always used. If someone or a group of someones tells you that a certain term is hurtful don't use it. It doesn't matter if you agree or disagree, or if that is"what you have always done."

Also note the the OP has a habit of posting things that are controversial or will spark and argument and then conveniently disappearing from the thread.

Not sure why you pointed that out. I didn't disappear. I've been reading the responses.

Yet again someone has a problem with discussion on a discussion board? Which I really don't understand.

 

[DizBelle]

There are hundreds of types of dwarfism. This is not changed by popular perceptions. You don't get to decide who fits the mold for the label "dwarf," nor what is the generally their head size proptionate to their body. Not every post needs a response. Especially when you're putting down and labeling a group of people. Silence would have been golden.

I didn't see where the post you quoted was putting anyone down.

 

[gwynne]

Not sure why you pointed that out. I didn't disappear. I've been reading the responses.

Yet again someone has a problem with discussion on a discussion board? Which I really don't understand.

Fine. Don't use it. That's good but I don't see how asking questions is a bad thing. I'm just trying to learn.

Just curious OP...What have you learned from several pages of discussion and information? What are your thoughts and conclusions now on your post #1 questions?

 

[DizBelle]

Midget was first used to describe little people in carnival/circus acts and "freak shows" and then took on common usage.

Did it used to be? I guess? In the same way that "it used to be" acceptable to refer to others in words that most people would find objectionable today.

Is the same thing going to happen to the term little people? Maybe? Does it matter?

You could substitute any hateful and derogatory word for any race/religion/subset of people for the word you chose and the questions would be just as ludicrous.

The "m" word is offensive. Don't use it. Not really a difficult concept.

Fine. Don't use it. That's good but I don't see how asking questions is a bad thing. I'm just trying to learn.

 

[DizBelle]

Just curious OP...What have you learned from the discussion? What are your thoughts and conclusions now on your post #1 questions?

Apparently the term "midget" was used in relation to performers (circus, "freak" show, whatever) and because of that the term "midget" has fallen out of favor as a descriptor in general.

I don't recall the term "midget" being used this way (circus type reference) when I was growing up. From what I recall, it was a simple descriptor the same as "little person" is now. Hence, my OP.

I've also learned that people on a discussion board don't like discussion or questions. I still don't have an answer as to why this is. If a discussion board isn't for discussion, then what is it for?

That a subject may be sensitive doesn't mean people can't benefit from discussion. But I suppose on the DIS boards we have to limit posts and responses to only benign and fluffy topics.

 

[gwynne]

Apparently the term "midget" was used in relation to performers (circus, "freak" show, whatever) and because of that the term "midget" has fallen out of favor as a descriptor in general.

I don't recall the term "midget" being used this way (circus type reference) when I was growing up. From what I recall, it was a simple descriptor the same as "little person" is now. Hence, my OP.

I've also learned that people on a discussion board don't like discussion or questions. I still don't have an answer as to why this is. If a discussion board isn't for discussion, then what is it for?

That a subject may be sensitive doesn't mean people can't benefit from discussion. But I suppose on the DIS boards we have to limit posts and responses to only benign and fluffy topics.

Certainly people are raised in different places and may have different experiences. I think it's good we can read and learn what is considered respectful.
Was the Little People of America link helpful?

http://www.lpaonline.org/the-m-word

From the link:
Little People of America, the world’s oldest and largest dwarfism support organization and an international, membership-based organization for people with dwarfism and their families, advocates to abolish the use of the word “midget”. The word “midget” was never coined as the official term to identify people with dwarfism, but was created as a label used to refer to people of short stature who were on public display for curiosity and sport. Today, the word “midget” is considered a derogatory slur. The dwarfism community has voiced that they prefer to be referred to as dwarfs, little people, people of short stature or having dwarfism, or simply, and most preferably, by their given name.

When we surveyed our community about the usage and overall impact of the word “midget”, over 90% of our members surveyed stated that the word should never be used in reference to a person with dwarfism. As an advocacy organization, our charge is to take the lead in providing accurate and current information to the public when the “m” word is used erroneously, and often carelessly, as a description of a person with dwarfism. Whether the intention of the user of the word is used to bully and to demean, or just as a synonym for small, our collective experience shows us that language has the power to cause permanent damage to one’s self-esteem and identity.

 

[bcla]

I wouldn't worry too much about this. We had this conversation amongst a group a friends not to long back. I was curious if some of them, being from Asia, found the term offensive. They thought it was hilarious that a bunch of white folks would bent all bent out of shape over a term they never gave a second thought to. The only one that said she wouldn't like it was because she was from Nepal. i.e. not eastern Asia. Basically don't let the social justice warriors brow beat you down. It is what it is.

Nepal is actually pretty multi-ethnic. Comes with being a small country located between bigger ones, and one where nomadic people lived. I suppose your friend may not think of herself as East Asian, or is it "Oriental" that she specifically dislikes? I don't know if being ethnically East Asian (like the Sherpa people of Nepal) would like to be referred to as Oriental. The implication is of something exotic and otherworldly. Not necessarily an insult, but still a rather loaded word. Here's a pretty interesting discussion:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112465167

Mr. YANG: Well, you know, I think history really does play a huge role in this. And when you think about it, the term Oriental itself kind of feels freighted with luggage. You know, it's a term which you can't think of without having that sort of the smell of incense and the sound of a gong kind of in your head.
​

I guess the term "midget" is loaded too, conjuring up images of carnival sideshows. Still, I suppose everyone has a different opinion. The word "queer" has been embraced even though at one time it was an insult.

 

[DizBelle]

Certainly people are raised in different places and may have different experiences. I think it's good we can read and learn what is considered respectful.
Was the Little People of America link helpful?

http://www.lpaonline.org/the-m-word

From the link:
Little People of America, the world’s oldest and largest dwarfism support organization and an international, membership-based organization for people with dwarfism and their families, advocates to abolish the use of the word “midget”. The word “midget” was never coined as the official term to identify people with dwarfism, but was created as a label used to refer to people of short stature who were on public display for curiosity and sport. Today, the word “midget” is considered a derogatory slur. The dwarfism community has voiced that they prefer to be referred to as dwarfs, little people, people of short stature or having dwarfism, or simply, and most preferably, by their given name.

When we surveyed our community about the usage and overall impact of the word “midget”, over 90% of our members surveyed stated that the word should never be used in reference to a person with dwarfism. As an advocacy organization, our charge is to take the lead in providing accurate and current information to the public when the “m” word is used erroneously, and often carelessly, as a description of a person with dwarfism. Whether the intention of the user of the word is used to bully and to demean, or just as a synonym for small, our collective experience shows us that language has the power to cause permanent damage to one’s self-esteem and identity.

Yes the link was an interesting read.

 

[thepicklebee]

Fine. Don't use it. That's good but I don't see how asking questions is a bad thing. I'm just trying to learn.

You acknowledge that people who fit this category feel it is offensive. The "m" word to many of them is as offensive as the "n" word is to many African-Americans. That being so, to me it isn't an issue that needs to be discussed or debated. We just accept that it's offensive and use words that convey respect.

 

[DizBelle]

You acknowledge that people who fit this category feel it is offensive. The "m" word to many of them is as offensive as the "n" word is to many African-Americans. That being so, to me it isn't an issue that needs to be discussed or debated. We just accept that it's offensive and use words that convey respect.

Really? Asking others viewpoint and learning is not good?

 

[Mac4life30]

remeber Eric the Midget LOL

 

[roseaster]

Not sure why you pointed that out. I didn't disappear. I've been reading the responses.

Yet again someone has a problem with discussion on a discussion board? Which I really don't understand.

Exactly my point. That isn't discussion. Discussion is a back and forth sharing opinions and viewpoints and facts. Discussion is not starting a thread on a subject that may be considered controversial by some then sitting back and reading the back and forth between others and not contributing yourself.

dis·cus·sion
dəˈskəSH(ə)n/
noun

1. the action or process of talking about something, typically in order to reach a decision or to exchange ideas.
   "the proposals are not a blueprint but ideas for discussion"
   • a conversation or debate about a certain topic.
     plural noun: discussions
     "discussions about environmental improvement programs"
     synonyms: conversation, talk, dialogue, discourse, conference, debate, exchange of views, consultation, deliberation; More
     
     
   • a detailed treatment of a particular topic in speech or writing.
     synonyms: examination, exploration, analysis, study; More