Short statured people often face various challenges in their daily lives, including difficulties in reaching high shelves or interacting with certain objects designed for taller individuals. However, one area where their height disadvantage can actually be advantageous is when it comes to playing the role of mascots. Mascots are often associated with large, exaggerated costumes that require performers to be of a certain height range. Short statured individuals naturally fit this criterion, allowing them to excel in bringing characters to life through physical expression and movements. The main advantage short-statured people have as mascots is their ability to create a larger-than-life presence, despite their small stature. These performers can captivate audiences through their energetic performances, often utilizing acrobatic skills and dynamic movements that make the character they are embodying truly come to life.
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Encyclopaedia Britannica s editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Arnold and other group leaders delivered a 4,400-signature petition to the school this week asking to phase out the nickname within two years and to stop selling Midget merchandise to people from outside the community 25 miles east of St.
These performers can captivate audiences through their energetic performances, often utilizing acrobatic skills and dynamic movements that make the character they are embodying truly come to life. Additionally, the small size of short-statured people allows them to navigate tight spaces and perform intricate choreography with ease. Their compact frame allows for greater agility and flexibility, making their movements more precise and visually impressive.
Why Is This High School Refusing To Change The Offensive Name Of Their Mascot?
Athletes at Freeburg Community High School in southern Illinois have long been known as the "Freeburg Midgets," a name the Little People of America (LPA) have said "dehumanizes and objectifies people of short stature."
freeburg high schoolDespite public outcry, the school has announced that they plan to keep it that way. Here's what the controversy is all about:
Why is the word 'Midget' so offensive?
On their website, LPA explains, "The term [midget] dates back to 1865, the height of the 'freak show' era, and was generally applied only to short-statured persons who were displayed for public amusement, which is why it is considered so unacceptable today."
In a petition they delivered to Freeburg's superintendant, LPA elaborates, "The preferred terminology is 'dwarf,' 'little person,' or 'person of short stature.'"
But it isn't just the word "midget" that's offensive, -- it's not like it would be better if Freeburg changed their name to the "Freeburg Dwarfs" -- it's the spirit of the use of the word. In general, no one likes it when something that's an inherent part of their identity is reduced to caricature in the form of a mascot. There's a reason that treatment is generally reserved for animals. And just because the harm isn't being done intentionally, that doesn't mean it's not harmful.
How do little people and their families feel about the name?
Rodger Jennings Jr., the parent of a boy with dwarfism, was one of the few who attended the school board's meeting to support the name change. Jennings told the Associate Press (AP), "I hear a lot of people talk about [the cost of changing the nickname]. Schools have been made as a public organization. They're supposed to protect our children, they're not supposed to offend anybody, they're supposed to be bully-free."
New York City Hosts First Annual Disability Pride ParadeThe AP further reports that Megan Sabourin, a woman with dwarfism who grew up near Freeburg, also spoke out at the meeting about how hurtful the name is, saying "I'm hurt at the fact that they don't see it as something negative. I'm hurt by the fact that we were in this community and we heard derogatory, disrespectful terms at the microphone."
So why is the school refusing to change the name?
In response to the LPA's petition, around 500 people showed up at the school last night (July 16) to urge the school board to keep the name, saying it stems from tradition and community pride. A reporter is said to have given them the name nearly 100 years ago when he watched Freeburg Community High's small basketball basketball players beat a team with taller players.
One supporter told the AP, "When someone messes with something like tradition, you decide something's worth fighting for instead of letting it go."
Haven't we already done this with Native Americans?
Yes. Many high schools have had a similar experience mascots like the "Redskins," and many have made the right choice and broken with offensive traditions. After one school in upstate New York made headlines for deciding to change their name, they were widely praised for recognizing that just because something is a tradition, that doesn't make it right.
It's sad that in 2015, Freeburg High is so blatantly refusing to practice what they preach.
In a petition they delivered to Freeburg's superintendant, LPA elaborates, "The preferred terminology is 'dwarf,' 'little person,' or 'person of short stature.'"
Moreover, short-statured individuals often have a unique perspective on life, which can translate into their performances as mascots. By embracing their height differences, they can offer a fresh perspective and inject a sense of charm and novelty into their characters. However, it is important to recognize that being a mascot requires more than just physicality. Mascot performers must also have a strong sense of acting and understand how to connect with an audience, despite being hidden behind a costume. They must convey emotion and engage with their surroundings using only physical gestures, making their performances even more impressive. In conclusion, short statured individuals can excel in the role of mascots due to their natural ability to create a larger-than-life presence and navigate the physical demands of the costume. Through their energetic performances and unique perspectives, they bring characters to life in a way that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression..
Reviews for "Empathy through Mascot Performances: Understanding the Experience of Short Statured Individuals"
- Name: John
Rating: 2 stars
Review: I was disappointed with "Short statured people vs mascots". I was expecting a light-hearted comedy, but instead, I felt like it was making fun of short people and exploiting their size for entertainment. It just didn't sit right with me and I couldn't enjoy the movie because of it.
- Name: Sarah
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I had mixed feelings about "Short statured people vs mascots". While I appreciate the effort to shed light on the challenges faced by short people, I couldn't help but feel that the humor was often at their expense. It felt like the movie relied too heavily on stereotypes and cheap laughs, rather than addressing the real issues in a meaningful way.
- Name: Robert
Rating: 2 stars
Review: "Short statured people vs mascots" missed the mark for me. I found the storyline to be shallow and the characters one-dimensional. It seemed more focused on exploiting the height difference between the short people and mascots rather than creating a genuine and engaging narrative. Overall, it failed to capture my attention and left me wanting more substance.