Re: MTV Video Music Awards

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/10/00 5:45:51 AM, lswans@... writes:

>

>Did anyone happen to see the VMA's this past week? Blink 182 did a

>segment with Little People which was amusing. I am writing this email

>though because during the VMA Post Show, some commentary came up between

>the news reporters for MTV, and they were saying stuff life " oh but what

>about the midgets during the Blink 182 segment!!! " McFayden,

>another reporter, was quick to respond and say " Don't call them that,

>they're little people. " But the other reporters ignored him, and one

>even piped up and said " No they are little midgets!!! " I

I agree that MTV VJ , McFadden correction of the other VJ's on more

acceptable terminology

for our short staure/dwarfism is commendable.

However, those dwarfs that choose to act in performances that are less than

flattering to our community only perpetuate the " circus-like " stereo typing

that commonly tags us as " midgets. "

The best way to avoid being called midgets is educating the public that we

aren't side show fools. This proves that even big time celebrities and actors

and reporters aren't respecting us when thespian Little people act in

demeaning roles.

[Guest guest]

From: tonysoares551@...

lswans@..., dwarfismegroups

Subject: Re: MTV Video Music Awards

Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 19:45:30 EDT

In a message dated 9/10/00 5:45:51 AM, lswans@... writes:

>

>Did anyone happen to see the VMA's this past week? Blink 182 did a

>segment with Little People which was amusing. I am writing this email

>though because during the VMA Post Show, some commentary came up between

>the news reporters for MTV, and they were saying stuff life " oh but what

>about the midgets during the Blink 182 segment!!! " McFayden,

>another reporter, was quick to respond and say " Don't call them that,

>they're little people. " But the other reporters ignored him, and one

>even piped up and said " No they are little midgets!!! " I

I agree that MTV VJ , McFadden correction of the other VJ's on more

acceptable terminology

for our short staure/dwarfism is commendable.

However, those dwarfs that choose to act in performances that are less than

flattering to our community only perpetuate the " circus-like " stereo typing

that commonly tags us as " midgets. "

The best way to avoid being called midgets is educating the public that we

aren't side show fools. This proves that even big time celebrities and

actors

and reporters aren't respecting us when thespian Little people act in

demeaning roles.

I think that whenever we start taking ourselves to seriously it not only

opens us up to more comments which we may not under normal circumstances

think are demeaning and hurtful, but it ruins a good time. I commend

McFadden on his knowledge of termonology and I as a journalist was very

surprised when the other Mtv VJ's brushed off his comment and continued

their bereavement of comments. I for one would have looked at the chance to

be on the Blink 182 segment as a great opportunity to have fun. Expecting

other dwarves to represent the greater whole of dwarves in no different than

looking at a person of another race and judging the whole race by that

person's actions. In closing, don't take ourselves too seriously and always

remember to have fun.

Fair

_________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at

http://profiles.msn.com.

[Guest guest]

Agreed. I have had many responses to my email. But someone said in particular,

TV will do anything for ratings, but until those thespian LP's decide not to

participate in activities that make us look like " circus freaks " ... this will

continue. If no one decides to take partake in such demeaning acts, the media

will have to move to some other minority group to make fun of. I believe each of

us have suffered some way or another from dwarfism and we all need to take

responsibility for our actions and think " how is this going to affect other

people like myself? " We have to go through enough physical pain, and we don't

need to go through mental pain as well.

When I see a stereotype of a black person on TV or in a movie, I don't go out

into the street and say " Oh he is black he must be a street thug! " And that is

because I know many black people and am smart enough to determine that the media

only knows stereotypes. But when Joe Q. Public sees Little People being paraded

around like circus freaks on a show watched by MILLIONS of people around the

world, he can only assume that it is ok to not recognize us as normal human

beings because that is the only representation of an LP he has even known.

tonysoares551@... wrote:

>

> In a message dated 9/10/00 5:45:51 AM, lswans@... writes:

>

> >

> >Did anyone happen to see the VMA's this past week? Blink 182 did a

> >segment with Little People which was amusing. I am writing this email

> >though because during the VMA Post Show, some commentary came up between

> >the news reporters for MTV, and they were saying stuff life " oh but what

> >about the midgets during the Blink 182 segment!!! " McFayden,

> >another reporter, was quick to respond and say " Don't call them that,

> >they're little people. " But the other reporters ignored him, and one

> >even piped up and said " No they are little midgets!!! " I

>

> I agree that MTV VJ , McFadden correction of the other VJ's on more

> acceptable terminology

> for our short staure/dwarfism is commendable.

> However, those dwarfs that choose to act in performances that are less than

> flattering to our community only perpetuate the " circus-like " stereo typing

> that commonly tags us as " midgets. "

> The best way to avoid being called midgets is educating the public that we

> aren't side show fools. This proves that even big time celebrities and actors

> and reporters aren't respecting us when thespian Little people act in

> demeaning roles.

[Guest guest]

Unfortunately I had missed the MTV awards program (no cable) but I had

heard that the audience applauded and responded quite loudly to the whole

Blink 182 act. A friend of mine who was one of the LP actors mentioned that

the response was very positive.

While we're on the subject of positive vs. negative image, would one think

that the MTV audience thought the LP act was " cool, fun " or that the LP's

were more there for " humorous, entertaining " enjoyment?

Maybe it was both. But again, I have a gut feeling that this type of

portrayal still keeps the stereotype of dwarf acting...perhaps as

said, as a sideshow to still generate such idiotic/ignorant comments as

those MTV reporters.

Kudos for you on writing to them, .

Irene

>-------------------------- eGroups Sponsor -------------------------~-~>

>Did anyone happen to see the VMA's this past week? Blink 182 did a

>segment with Little People which was amusing. I am writing this email

>though because during the VMA Post Show, some commentary came up between

>the news reporters for MTV, and they were saying stuff life " oh but what

>about the midgets during the Blink 182 segment!!! " McFayden,

>another reporter, was quick to respond and say " Don't call them that,

>they're little people. " But the other reporters ignored him, and one

>even piped up and said " No they are little midgets!!! " I wrote a letter

>to MTV in reference to this stating that I commend 's actions and

>was surprised their other reporters weren't educated enough to know that

>the term midget is not acceptable. I said I hoped at least some of their

>viewing audience would catch on to what tried to do and will be

>more thoughtful and tolerant in the future concerning little people. It

>really made me happy to see one reporter try and stick up for us. But

>when the others scoffed at him, I felt I needed to write to them.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/9/00 8:07:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

Recker666@... writes:

<< Expecting

other dwarves to represent the greater whole of dwarves in no different than

looking at a person of another race and judging the whole race by that

person's actions. >>

BRAVO! THANK-GOD SOMEONE SEES THE LIGHT!

[Guest guest]

We also can't assume that all LP's have the same beliefs as our group here

does. Maybe these folks have never heard of LPA and our " mission " . I,

myself, have tried to choose roles that aren't demeaning to short-statured

individuals. I have 2 projects that could be on the burner in my future.

One is risky the other, " cute " .

Judi - Actress

At 07:58 PM 9/9/00 -0500, wrote:

>

>Agreed. I have had many responses to my email. But someone said in

particular,

>TV will do anything for ratings, but until those thespian LP's decide not to

>participate in activities that make us look like " circus freaks " ... this will

>continue. If no one decides to take partake in such demeaning acts, the media

>will have to move to some other minority group to make fun of. I believe

each of

>us have suffered some way or another from dwarfism and we all need to take

>responsibility for our actions and think " how is this going to affect other

>people like myself? " We have to go through enough physical pain, and we don't

>need to go through mental pain as well.

>

>When I see a stereotype of a black person on TV or in a movie, I don't go out

>into the street and say " Oh he is black he must be a street thug! " And

that is

>because I know many black people and am smart enough to determine that the

media

>only knows stereotypes. But when Joe Q. Public sees Little People being

paraded

>around like circus freaks on a show watched by MILLIONS of people around the

>world, he can only assume that it is ok to not recognize us as normal human

>beings because that is the only representation of an LP he has even known.

>

>tonysoares551@... wrote:

>

>>

>> In a message dated 9/10/00 5:45:51 AM, lswans@... writes:

>>

>> >

>> >Did anyone happen to see the VMA's this past week? Blink 182 did a

>> >segment with Little People which was amusing. I am writing this email

>> >though because during the VMA Post Show, some commentary came up between

>> >the news reporters for MTV, and they were saying stuff life " oh but what

>> >about the midgets during the Blink 182 segment!!! " McFayden,

>> >another reporter, was quick to respond and say " Don't call them that,

>> >they're little people. " But the other reporters ignored him, and one

>> >even piped up and said " No they are little midgets!!! " I

>>

>> I agree that MTV VJ , McFadden correction of the other VJ's on more

>> acceptable terminology

>> for our short staure/dwarfism is commendable.

>> However, those dwarfs that choose to act in performances that are less than

>> flattering to our community only perpetuate the " circus-like " stereo typing

>> that commonly tags us as " midgets. "

>> The best way to avoid being called midgets is educating the public that we

>> aren't side show fools. This proves that even big time celebrities and

actors

>> and reporters aren't respecting us when thespian Little people act in

>> demeaning roles.

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I don't see how you can say we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. My

dwarfism doesn't make me who I am, but it has definitely made my life a

struggle. Isn't the point of LPA to educate and help all the people who suffer

from dwarfism lead healthier and equal lives? What am I supposed to do if I

have a child with dwarfism who comes home crying because someone called them a

midget. Am I supposed to say " Oh don't take yourself too seriously dear, just

have fun with it! They are just being silly! "

Recker Fair wrote:

> From: tonysoares551@...

> lswans@..., dwarfismegroups

> Subject: Re: MTV Video Music Awards

> Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 19:45:30 EDT

>

> In a message dated 9/10/00 5:45:51 AM, lswans@... writes:

>

> >

> >Did anyone happen to see the VMA's this past week? Blink 182 did a

> >segment with Little People which was amusing. I am writing this email

> >though because during the VMA Post Show, some commentary came up between

> >the news reporters for MTV, and they were saying stuff life " oh but what

> >about the midgets during the Blink 182 segment!!! " McFayden,

> >another reporter, was quick to respond and say " Don't call them that,

> >they're little people. " But the other reporters ignored him, and one

> >even piped up and said " No they are little midgets!!! " I

>

> I agree that MTV VJ , McFadden correction of the other VJ's on more

> acceptable terminology

> for our short staure/dwarfism is commendable.

> However, those dwarfs that choose to act in performances that are less than

> flattering to our community only perpetuate the " circus-like " stereo typing

> that commonly tags us as " midgets. "

> The best way to avoid being called midgets is educating the public that we

> aren't side show fools. This proves that even big time celebrities and

> actors

> and reporters aren't respecting us when thespian Little people act in

> demeaning roles.

>

> I think that whenever we start taking ourselves to seriously it not only

> opens us up to more comments which we may not under normal circumstances

> think are demeaning and hurtful, but it ruins a good time. I commend

> McFadden on his knowledge of termonology and I as a journalist was very

> surprised when the other Mtv VJ's brushed off his comment and continued

> their bereavement of comments. I for one would have looked at the chance to

> be on the Blink 182 segment as a great opportunity to have fun. Expecting

> other dwarves to represent the greater whole of dwarves in no different than

> looking at a person of another race and judging the whole race by that

> person's actions. In closing, don't take ourselves too seriously and always

> remember to have fun.

>

> Fair

> _________________________________________________________________________

> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

>

> Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at

> http://profiles.msn.com.

[Guest guest]

I would also like to add that I do not believe I " suffer " from dwarfism.

:-)

Karin

writes:

>Isn't the point of LPA to educate and help all the people who suffer

>from dwarfism lead healthier and equal lives?

> In a message dated 9/9/00 8:07:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

> Recker666@... writes:

>

> << Expecting

> other dwarves to represent the greater whole of dwarves in no

> different than

> looking at a person of another race and judging the whole race by

> that

> person's actions. >>

And then Lindsey wrote:

>

> BRAVO! THANK-GOD SOMEONE SEES THE LIGHT!

I

________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/10/00 2:35:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

kitties77@... writes:

<< I would also like to add that I do not believe I " suffer " from dwarfism.

:-)

Karin >>

So true and agree. :-)

I have dwarfism which makes up a part of me not the whole me. I'm happy to be

me. Like good old Sammy Jr.'s song " I Got to Be Me. " :-) I'm glad to

know that I don't suffer from ignorance or prejudiced that is sometimes

directed towards people that are different from each other whether one has

dwarfism or is a different race, religion or nationality.

I think the people who suffer are the ones who are ignorant and prejudiced

towards each other.

Helen

[Guest guest]

You may be missing 's and 's point. No one expects individual

dwarves to represent the all dwarves. But the fact is, they do - like it or

not.

Whether it is right or wrong, whether it should happen or not, whether you

like it or not - the fact is - the general public does judge groups by the

actions of individuals in that group. Wrong as it may be, stereotyping does

happen.

Little People, like everyone in this country, have the right to (legally) do

what they want. And yes, people should have fun. But it will reflect on all

little people, whether they plan for it to or not.

When dwarves appear as they did on MTV, things like whether they are called

" midgets " or " Little People " are almost minor in comparison. People are

going to remember the antics of the dwarves, and are not going to remember

what they were called by a couple of commentators.

====================================================

In a message dated 9/10/00 3:39:22 AM, dwarfismegroups writes:

<< Expecting other dwarves to represent the greater whole of dwarves in no

different than looking at a person of another race and judging the whole race

by that person's actions. In closing, don't take ourselves too seriously and

always remember to have fun.

Fair >>

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please use my new email address - svplpa@..., and add it to your address

book to respond. Please delete my old email address (lpatoday@...) from

your address book, and do not use it. Thanks.

Margulies

Senior Vice President, LPA

svplpap@...

www.lpaonline.org

======================================

[Guest guest]

<< Expecting other dwarves to represent the greater whole of dwarves in no

different than looking at a person of another race and judging the whole race

by that

person's actions. >>

Au contraire, my little Langoliers.

When a person of a specific race, sexual orientation, gender or insert

adjective of choice accepts a role demeaning to their particular minority

group how often do they have scads of examples to counteract that? For every

woman that strips & does porno (since this is a common example) how many

other women can you name & point out as good role models? For every person of

color that takes a job demeaning his or her race, how many examples can one

find that nullify the derogatory stereotype? Yet how many positive role

models do WE have? I posed this question last night & someone gave me the

name of Dr. Ain. Okay -- he's good but the last I checked he wasn't doing

movies with Jim Carrey. And face it, we know this debate comes up because of

the media's portrayals of us and the folks that accept such jobs, not

orthopedic surgeons.

We don't have the luxury of a large population so therefore each & every

action someone of our community makes carries that much more weight. If you

don't believe me, then just think about how many times a LP is on TV or the

movies. How many folks come up to you & make sure that you know they saw it?

Now, how many times is a woman, an African-American, or a Latina highlighted

in the same. Do you think the same amount of people go up to those folks &

let them now they saw one of " their people " last night at the movies? I don't

think so.

Maybe I am asking for a lot from folks that are trying to make their living

in the entertainment field but just think of how many more options would be

open if we were cast as the next-door neighbor, the sibling, the librarian or

the computer whiz. Aren't we already in those roles in real life? Why not

relfect it in the media's portrayal of us? I certainly don't remember the

last time I was gainfully employed at Santa's workshop so why should that be

the only time I see one of my people on television?

Rose

[Guest guest]

Just a positive thought:). Remember too as much as we may complain

about how 'others' represent us, misrepresent us or not even mention

us as being part of the whole society in which we live we are our own

best representives of who we are and what we stand for in the end.

How is that? One, many schools have started to have a " Disability

Awareness Week " whereas one day someone from the Light Foundation

(Blind) comes and speaks to the kids; Someone from the Hard of

Hearing Institute (deaf) comes and someone from the little people

comes on another day to speak and trust me, the kids remember that

more than anything else they may see on TV as they meet an LP upfront

and personal, ask questions, and sometimes even eat lunch with one

and all have a blast:).

Two, volunteer, volunteeer, volunteer:). I had major back surgery; I

was laid up for many months. I went to physical rehab hospital for

many months where many 'average' sized people gave of themselves to

help me:). Well, when I finished all that I went back to them to

volunteer for six months in the same rehab hospital I was in and

instead of being pushed in a wheeelchair to go to the rehab gym where

I worked out I now pushed others so they could:). From all this I

know without a doubt I had a tremendous effect as I was talked about,

but in a positive way (eg. " Did you see that little guy volunteer who

pushed mom [who had just suffered a stroke] to the rehab gym so she

could get better. " See my point?). Ask yourself this, everyone, big

and small, when was the last time you saw an LP volunteer in a

hospital? Other times, in the hospital, when I was too tired to push

people in the wheelchairs, I did clerical work, but all of it was

appreciated:).

I've finished that and soon I will volunteering in a local soup

kitchen and again, when was the last time you saw an LP volunteer at

a soup kitchen? Now, I'm not bragging, cuz you don't know me, where

I live or who I helped, so it doesn't matter if tell you, but one

thing I do know is that we are in a way are our own Movie, our own

Director of that Movie too, our own Music Video, our own Commercial

or whatever and we only have one shot at it too. So, if you want to

to have a positive lasting effect on your community give a part of

yourself to it and it will return back to many times over. I know, as

many years later, I meet the same kids I first met when they were in

4th grade but now are in 12th grade in a mall, movie theater, cd

shore... who still remember me and what what I taught and showed them

by my own example of an LP living in their own communtity. However,

if you were to ask these same teens who won the MTV awards in 1993,

the same year I first spoke to them, they'd say, " I dunno? " Thus, it

goes to show how we represent ourselves in our own communtiy lasts

longer than some music award show:).

sincerely, grady;)

[Guest guest]

Sadly, Actions Speak Louder Than Words!

Much Affection,

Lee Gogin

dwarfmail1@... wrote:

>

> You may be missing 's and 's point. No one expects individual

> dwarves to represent the all dwarves. But the fact is, they do - like it or

> not.

>

> Whether it is right or wrong, whether it should happen or not, whether you

> like it or not - the fact is - the general public does judge groups by the

> actions of individuals in that group. Wrong as it may be, stereotyping does

> happen.

>

> Little People, like everyone in this country, have the right to (legally) do

> what they want. And yes, people should have fun. But it will reflect on all

> little people, whether they plan for it to or not.

>

> When dwarves appear as they did on MTV, things like whether they are called

> " midgets " or " Little People " are almost minor in comparison. People are

> going to remember the antics of the dwarves, and are not going to remember

> what they were called by a couple of commentators.

>

>

> ====================================================

> In a message dated 9/10/00 3:39:22 AM, dwarfismegroups writes:

>

> << Expecting other dwarves to represent the greater whole of dwarves in no

> different than looking at a person of another race and judging the whole race

> by that person's actions. In closing, don't take ourselves too seriously and

> always remember to have fun.

>

> Fair >>

>

> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

> Please use my new email address - svplpa@..., and add it to your address

> book to respond. Please delete my old email address (lpatoday@...) from

> your address book, and do not use it. Thanks.

>

> Margulies

> Senior Vice President, LPA

> svplpap@...

> www.lpaonline.org

> ======================================

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/10/00 12:03:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

mzhariette@... writes:

<< I certainly don't remember the

last time I was gainfully employed at Santa's workshop so why should that be

the only time I see one of my people on television?

Rose

>>

Ever so true Rose or may I add a munchin from Oz or a factory worker in Willy

Wonka's Chocolate Factory. It is true that what is shown about little people

in the media some including children get the wrong idea about us.

Where I work I met one of my supervisor's children and they thought because I

was little I had worked in Willy's Chocolate Factory. Her mother corrected

her and asked what is correct term, etc. and liked what I said about telling

her daughter that God makes everyone different and special and no one is the

same. :-)

Helen

[Guest guest]

You go girl! Pursue your dream,and let me know when you come to Dallas,and I

will come to see you!

Beth

[Guest guest]

Way to go Grady!

Volunteerism is a wonderful avenue for teaching the public about how special

we are!

That is exactly why District 8 is sooo proud of Sandy Rapp,recent recepient

of the Distinguished Service Award. She is never too busy to answer a call

from a worried parent and then schedules a visit with a dwarf child's school

to explain all about us!

On a side note, I try not to be too!!!! offended when I am asked if I am a

wrestler(only when giving my cat a pill)a porn queen(I would probably have

more dates if I were)or any of the other vocations that some little person

has chosen which I might not have chosen. But amazingly,I become a mother

bear protecting her cub

when someone insults my daughter.However,I know that she will have to learn

how to handle this herself.

Whatever a person chooses to do, love what you do and do it to the best of

your ability. That is true happiness!

Anyway,that is my okieism for the month!

Beth Eley

[Guest guest]

Hey Im ALL for doing roles as " the next-door neighbor, the sibling, the

librarian or the computer whiz " but frankly the industry is just NOT writing

those parts for LP's. I receive the " breakdowns " for all the movies/TV shows

being filmed in LA and the casting people are VERY specific in their description

of the people they are looking for for each role. When I see " store-clerk " ,

counsellor or a role where they ask for someone in my age group and gender with

a

character that I know I could portray I submit myself! Do they ever call me in

for those parts?? hell no.....

What you people who are not in the " industry " dont realize is. We dont have alot

of choices in the parts we take. I plan on doing my best to change that by the

way! The writers/directors who are putting these shows together are the ones

that

have a " vision " for the characters they have and they select the " type " of

person

that can portray what THEY want.

I am a diastrophic dwarf in the entertainment industry. I have gone out on

auditions where they have specifically asked for a little person for the role

and

there has been a few times now where because Im diastrophic I dont have the body

type that " THEY " invisioned a little person has. Achons are the most prominent

type of dwarfism and most have a distinct body type and occasionally this is the

body type they want to represent for this little person character. So here I am

not only having to " compete " with the general population of actors but I have to

compete with people of the same stature. Its a tough business.

Alls I know is ... Im representing myself when Im doing my act or role. If I

impact some people in a positive way along my journey ... great! I have accepted

though that they are ALWAYS going to be people complaining about what I do and

what roles I MAY take. Some people in this group are constantly looking for an

argument on this topic.

In my life I have accomplished everything I have wanted so far for myself. I

finished high school, I got my degree from University, Ive travelled the world,

I

started doing standup comedy, I moved out to Western Canada to pursue comedy, I

then decided going south to Los Angeles was my best bet and I did it without

ever

seeing LA first. I met a man who I love and who loves and supports be more than

I

couldve ever dreamed of. I travel all over N. America doing my standup comedy.

Ive been in LA for just over 3 years and Im making the connections and getting

the exposure I need to move into the next level of my career. If I die tomorrow

I

can rest in peace knowing that I did NOT let anything stop me from pursuing my

goals in life. How many people can HONESTLY say that?! Its a tough career that I

ahve chosen and there are many disappointments but I have talent and the FAITH

that I am on the right track in my life and NO ONE can tell me different!

I dont feel I get much support from my community of LP's and that is quite sad

but good thing I dont let THAT get me down. (in general .. however I DO

appreciate those people that have taken the time to write or sign my guestbook

with letters of support and encouragement)

Its very easy to sit in your homes far away from where movies/TV are made and

tell us LPs that are in the entertaiment world that we should do this, we

shouldnt do that but you REALLY have no idea. Please consider that.

lee

http://www.tanyaleedavis.com/

mzhariette@... wrote:

>

> << Expecting other dwarves to represent the greater whole of dwarves in no

> different than looking at a person of another race and judging the whole race

> by that

> person's actions. >>

>

> Au contraire, my little Langoliers.

>

> When a person of a specific race, sexual orientation, gender or insert

> adjective of choice accepts a role demeaning to their particular minority

> group how often do they have scads of examples to counteract that? For every

> woman that strips & does porno (since this is a common example) how many

> other women can you name & point out as good role models? For every person of

> color that takes a job demeaning his or her race, how many examples can one

> find that nullify the derogatory stereotype? Yet how many positive role

> models do WE have? I posed this question last night & someone gave me the

> name of Dr. Ain. Okay -- he's good but the last I checked he wasn't doing

> movies with Jim Carrey. And face it, we know this debate comes up because of

> the media's portrayals of us and the folks that accept such jobs, not

> orthopedic surgeons.

>

> We don't have the luxury of a large population so therefore each & every

> action someone of our community makes carries that much more weight. If you

> don't believe me, then just think about how many times a LP is on TV or the

> movies. How many folks come up to you & make sure that you know they saw it?

> Now, how many times is a woman, an African-American, or a Latina highlighted

> in the same. Do you think the same amount of people go up to those folks &

> let them now they saw one of " their people " last night at the movies? I don't

> think so.

>

> Maybe I am asking for a lot from folks that are trying to make their living

> in the entertainment field but just think of how many more options would be

> open if we were cast as the next-door neighbor, the sibling, the librarian or

> the computer whiz. Aren't we already in those roles in real life? Why not

> relfect it in the media's portrayal of us? I certainly don't remember the

> last time I was gainfully employed at Santa's workshop so why should that be

> the only time I see one of my people on television?

>

> Rose

[Guest guest]

OOOOHHH Id LOVE to work in a Chocolate Factory! geee dont say that like its a

bad

thing. Everyone loves an Oompa Loompa!

lee - choco-holic!

http://www.tanyaleedavis.com/

HelenJW@... wrote:In a message dated 9/10/00 12:03:20 PM Eastern Daylight

Time,

> mzhariette@... writes:

>

> << I certainly don't remember the

> last time I was gainfully employed at Santa's workshop so why should that be

> the only time I see one of my people on television?

>

> Rose

> >>

>

> Ever so true Rose or may I add a munchin from Oz or a factory worker in Willy

> Wonka's Chocolate Factory. It is true that what is shown about little people

> in the media some including children get the wrong idea about us.

>

> Where I work I met one of my supervisor's children and they thought because I

> was little I had worked in Willy's Chocolate Factory. Her mother corrected

> her and asked what is correct term, etc. and liked what I said about telling

> her daughter that God makes everyone different and special and no one is the

> same. :-)

>

> Helen

[Guest guest]

I would only add this:

For those of you that are so concerned about questionable portrayals

of little people on TV and in the media why not stop blaming the actors

(an easy pointless target), who can little afford to give up roles,

income, career opportunities and and who have so very little to say

about the parts that are made available, and take some effective action.

Write to the writers, directors, casting directors, producers, the

studios and networks and voice your concerns. These are the people that

determine what parts are made available to actors. And how do they do

that? Well, in theory they try to provide what their audiences want and

will buy. And that audience would be...you. And us average sized people,

too.

Many LPs seem to assume that as average sized people we watch the

Maury Show ect. to gawk and point at LPs, giants or freaks. Nope, it's

'cause we wonder what it's like to be you. We wonder if, were we in your

place, we could have achieved as well, we wonder how would the world

look to us and what things and attitudes would we have to deal with or

overcome? These are the same things we wonder when we look at Hamlet,

Forest Gump or Copperfield. It's an honest desire to learn and to

see life from another's eyes that makes those shows popular and it's

that honest curiosity that would draw a large general audience to any

show with an honest portrayal of a little person.

You can't tell me there aren't good LP writers out there is this

very talented group. Where are the parts guys? Most writers are of

average stature and don't know squat about writing parts for LPs as

regular Joe's. Or maybe, and this is just a wild friggin' guess, they're

afraid to even touch on the subject for fear of offending someone

because they might not use the right descriptive word in the right

place. So write some parts and stop buggin' the poor bastards who are

compelled to entertain for an avocation. Real actors have to act, no

damned choice. I would think being an actor and an LP must be close to

hell on earth considering the current choices available.

Just a thought,

Marty

[Guest guest]

Why do you suppose Jerry Springer gets such high ratings? I don't think

it's because people are interested in the lives of the guests on the show,

but because it's like watching a car wreck to them... they think " thank god

I don't have it as bad as them! "

I have tried to do my share. I write letters to networks and newspapers

every so often. But considering the population of LPs in the US is only

10,000 people, it would seem even if a few of our letters did reach the

corporate offices... it wouldn't matter. They would probably laugh at it.

When there was this big news story about 6 months ago, which I believe was

brought up by the NAACP, about getting more diversity on TV, the networks

noticed because African Americans and other minorities are becoming the

majority in America. Unfortunately, the population of Little People is not

as powerful as African Americans or other minorities... and we cannot

expect corporations and networks to listen to the demands of a few or so

opposers, when they still are making money off the people who choose to be

in these roles. Maybe if Liebermann becomes VP he will clean up a lot of

the exploitation crap that is on TV. (That is not a political plug, I just

know he is against bad TV/movies)

However, some movie companies and TV shows are trying. Simon Birch was a

very heartfelt and touching movie. I've read reviews on that and many

people changed their view about LP's after watching that. Also the guy who

was Mickey on Seinfeld (I forget his name) has played two parts in movies

(Lost & Found and Things You Can Tell By Looking at Her) that were not

demeaning at all.

Basically my point is, I could easily sit here and spout of my complaints

and yet sulk in my house and never go outside. But I don't do that. I try

and support my cause and educate as many people as I can. I just get very

frustrated when it seems like it can't be done because there are so many

people out there, and not many of us to spread the word.

Marty Hiebert wrote:

>

> I would only add this:

>

> For those of you that are so concerned about questionable portrayals

> of little people on TV and in the media why not stop blaming the actors

> (an easy pointless target), who can little afford to give up roles,

> income, career opportunities and and who have so very little to say

> about the parts that are made available, and take some effective action.

>

> Write to the writers, directors, casting directors, producers, the

> studios and networks and voice your concerns. These are the people that

> determine what parts are made available to actors. And how do they do

> that? Well, in theory they try to provide what their audiences want and

> will buy. And that audience would be...you. And us average sized people,

> too.

> Many LPs seem to assume that as average sized people we watch the

> Maury Show ect. to gawk and point at LPs, giants or freaks. Nope, it's

> 'cause we wonder what it's like to be you. We wonder if, were we in your

> place, we could have achieved as well, we wonder how would the world

> look to us and what things and attitudes would we have to deal with or

> overcome? These are the same things we wonder when we look at Hamlet,

> Forest Gump or Copperfield. It's an honest desire to learn and to

> see life from another's eyes that makes those shows popular and it's

> that honest curiosity that would draw a large general audience to any

> show with an honest portrayal of a little person.

> You can't tell me there aren't good LP writers out there is this

> very talented group. Where are the parts guys? Most writers are of

> average stature and don't know squat about writing parts for LPs as

> regular Joe's. Or maybe, and this is just a wild friggin' guess, they're

> afraid to even touch on the subject for fear of offending someone

> because they might not use the right descriptive word in the right

> place. So write some parts and stop buggin' the poor bastards who are

> compelled to entertain for an avocation. Real actors have to act, no

> damned choice. I would think being an actor and an LP must be close to

> hell on earth considering the current choices available.

>

> Just a thought,

>

> Marty

[Guest guest]

Springer is a ridiculously exaggerated example as you very well knew

when you typed it out, , so get real. With Maury we're talking more

along the lines of Ophra, basically stupid but harmless, unless he or

she starts talking about health care. Look at the glass half full for a

change, .

I calculate about 250.000 people, not only 10,000, with dwarfism in

the US, based on percentages I found on the list serve, and perhaps

50%-75% of those are adults, so a low figure would be 125,00 adults LPs

in the US.

Even if the figures are lower there's no reason to take all this

crap out on the actors. They don't run things. The producers, studios,

and networks run things. The actors all want to play the same parts you

want to see but the parts aren't there yet.

Let me give you an example of influence that is exaggerated but

might make sense. The Hell's Angels. Less than 10,000 members. I

calculate LPs number over ten times that amount. Among The Hell's Angels

are murderers, thieves, rapists and people who have killer bad breath.

Among LPs you won't find as many murderers, ect. I'm not sure about the

bad breath thing and don't plan to do any research in the near future.

Every year these murderers, thieves, rapists and people who have killer

bad breath do a " Toy Ride " and everyone thinks they are sooo wonderful.

PR, . LPA could do the same kind of thing with a better result

because the LPA is made up of people who are the Salt of the Earth.

I agree with you on the numbers thing. Even with 250,000, that a

very small amount of people and that why word hasn't gotten out that

" midget " isn't a term to be used. There are a hell of a lot of people

out there that simply don't know and who still think, like I did, that

midget sounds like a more polite term than dwarf. Simple ignorance, not

hate, dislike or even indifference. Just plan and simple didn't friggin'

know.

Marty

[Guest guest]

I saw this and I had to write. I faced a situation like this just

recently. I was under a website where members can answer other

members questions. One Question asked " would you rather be blind,

deaf, mute or Crippled? " I tried to talk to this girl and Suggested

she may want to change the word Crippled to Disabled, because

Crippled is Very offencive to people. She totally ignored that and

said she didn't care...and I asked her how would she feel if a friend

or family memeber or herself became disabled, or had a child with a

disability. I told her, I hope it never happens, but it can happen.

She said that she would give up the kid if it was messed up (she used

another word for messed up) She was quite rude. So I believe there

are people out there who simply don't know, and Are willing to

listen, but there will ALWAYS be those who hate people telling them,

what to say, how to say it, etc. They just don't care, and there's

nothing we can do...or anyone else, unless they expericance it

themselves. I just think it's fine informing people, but don't waste

your breath the second time. They WILL find out eventually.

a

> Did anyone happen to see the VMA's this past week? Blink 182 did a

> segment with Little People which was amusing. I am writing this

email

> though because during the VMA Post Show, some commentary came up

between

> the news reporters for MTV, and they were saying stuff life " oh but

what

> about the midgets during the Blink 182 segment!!! " McFayden,

> another reporter, was quick to respond and say " Don't call them

that,

> they're little people. " But the other reporters ignored him, and one

> even piped up and said " No they are little midgets!!! " I wrote a

letter

> to MTV in reference to this stating that I commend 's actions

and

> was surprised their other reporters weren't educated enough to know

that

> the term midget is not acceptable. I said I hoped at least some of

their viewing audience would catch on to what tried to do and

will be more thoughtful and tolerant in the future concerning little

people. It really made me happy to see one reporter try and stick up

for us. But when the others scoffed at him, I felt I needed to write

to them.

[Guest guest]

OK,

This is an old discourse and one that is important, but that seems to get

nowhere. I will relate my experience and you guys can decide how does the

actions of others affect the LPA community as a whole and as individuals.

I have tried and achieved respect in my career and in my field. I obtained

my masters and now work as a professional archaeologist. In my field this

was not an easy task and I faced many obstacles, as many of you have also.

The next day after the MTV awards aired one of my co-workers talked to me

about the awards and how funny where those m.....s,and why I did not do

that. Well, I told him that I worked hard to stay clear of those

stereotypes. What insulted and offended me was the M-word, for me that is

an offensive word and one that is very disrespectful, and that is what it

comes down to it.... RESPECT!!

If you do not respect yourself, others will not either. If you want to be

an actor.. be an actor.. if you want to be a clown.. be a clown.. Do

whatever makes you happy and fills your life and others, that is great. We

must do what makes us happy, but without sacrificing our self esteem and

respect.

I do laugh at the funny things in life... I worked hard for ten years in my

profession to be respected, and it just takes some guys to jump in a stage

for 5 minutes for my co-worker to see me as M that should be in a stage...

LOL... you must appreciate what life gives you and smile at it too..

That is just my opinion.

- Re: MTV Video Music Awards

<< Expecting other dwarves to represent the greater whole of dwarves in no

different than looking at a person of another race and judging the whole

race

by that

person's actions. >>

Au contraire, my little Langoliers.

When a person of a specific race, sexual orientation, gender or insert

adjective of choice accepts a role demeaning to their particular minority

group how often do they have scads of examples to counteract that? For every

woman that strips & does porno (since this is a common example) how many

other women can you name & point out as good role models? For every person

of

color that takes a job demeaning his or her race, how many examples can one

find that nullify the derogatory stereotype? Yet how many positive role

models do WE have? I posed this question last night & someone gave me the

name of Dr. Ain. Okay -- he's good but the last I checked he wasn't doing

movies with Jim Carrey. And face it, we know this debate comes up because of

the media's portrayals of us and the folks that accept such jobs, not

orthopedic surgeons.

We don't have the luxury of a large population so therefore each & every

action someone of our community makes carries that much more weight. If you

don't believe me, then just think about how many times a LP is on TV or the

movies. How many folks come up to you & make sure that you know they saw it?

Now, how many times is a woman, an African-American, or a Latina highlighted

in the same. Do you think the same amount of people go up to those folks &

let them now they saw one of " their people " last night at the movies? I

don't

think so.

Maybe I am asking for a lot from folks that are trying to make their living

in the entertainment field but just think of how many more options would be

open if we were cast as the next-door neighbor, the sibling, the librarian

or

the computer whiz. Aren't we already in those roles in real life? Why not

relfect it in the media's portrayal of us? I certainly don't remember the

last time I was gainfully employed at Santa's workshop so why should that be

the only time I see one of my people on television?

Rose

.........................................................

iWon.com http://www.iwon.com why wouldn't you?

.........................................................

[Guest guest]

Marty,

I am not sure where this hostility is coming from, since you don't even

know me, but I am just putting down my opinion. Obviously you have yours as

well. Go to www.dwafism.org and you will see that calculated that

there are 10,000 achons in the U.S. 80% of LP's have achondroplasia he

says. And there is an estimated 300,000 thousand LP's worldwide. So if I am

reading that wrong, please let me know.

My point about Jerry Springer is that he gets higher ratings that Maury

Povich. I am sure that alot of people watch Maury, but the reason people

watch Jerry Springer is for the exploitation value. It makes me very happy

that Maury and Oprah do positive shows about different topics such as

disabilities and over coming the hardships of it. I've watched them myself.

I don't think anywhere in my email did I point the finger to someone

and say actors are the problems. My brother who is average sized is a

struggling actor, and I know it is his dream to be a star. He is also Asian

American and of course will be type casted for certain roles. But I think

in his heart he would not choose a role that would be degrading to his

culture. I am very fortunate to have a good career and do understand that

it is very hard for Little People to get jobs sometimes. I have been turned

down in the past for no reason, and sometimes thought it was because of my

dwarfism. So I know that acting is a good career for an LP.

My point was that with the fact that we do have a small population, it

is going to be a hard fete to get noticed when it comes down to equality. I

mean with that Frustrators thing. They just laughed it off and said that

their dwarf tossing song was a joke and we shouldn't take it so seriously,

and that was the end of it. They still sell a lot of albums.

When I was a kid, and I had a bully making fun of me, when I confronted

him he just laughed at me and told me to go away. But when I had 5 other

friends with me, it made a difference and he said he was sorry. Networks

and corporations are threatened by numbers. I think what we are doing on

this list, arguing with each other over OPINIONs for that matter is not

helping. We all have a lot in common and should be coming together to help

make life easier for each other, and to the new future of children with

dwarfism.

Marty Hiebert wrote:

>

> Springer is a ridiculously exaggerated example as you very well knew

> when you typed it out, , so get real. With Maury we're talking more

> along the lines of Ophra, basically stupid but harmless, unless he or

> she starts talking about health care. Look at the glass half full for a

> change, .

>

> I calculate about 250.000 people, not only 10,000, with dwarfism in

> the US, based on percentages I found on the list serve, and perhaps

> 50%-75% of those are adults, so a low figure would be 125,00 adults LPs

> in the US.

>

> Even if the figures are lower there's no reason to take all this

> crap out on the actors. They don't run things. The producers, studios,

> and networks run things. The actors all want to play the same parts you

> want to see but the parts aren't there yet.

>

> Let me give you an example of influence that is exaggerated but

> might make sense. The Hell's Angels. Less than 10,000 members. I

> calculate LPs number over ten times that amount. Among The Hell's Angels

> are murderers, thieves, rapists and people who have killer bad breath.

> Among LPs you won't find as many murderers, ect. I'm not sure about the

> bad breath thing and don't plan to do any research in the near future.

> Every year these murderers, thieves, rapists and people who have killer

> bad breath do a " Toy Ride " and everyone thinks they are sooo wonderful.

> PR, . LPA could do the same kind of thing with a better result

> because the LPA is made up of people who are the Salt of the Earth.

>

> I agree with you on the numbers thing. Even with 250,000, that a

> very small amount of people and that why word hasn't gotten out that

> " midget " isn't a term to be used. There are a hell of a lot of people

> out there that simply don't know and who still think, like I did, that

> midget sounds like a more polite term than dwarf. Simple ignorance, not

> hate, dislike or even indifference. Just plan and simple didn't friggin'

> know.

>

> Marty

[Guest guest]

> OK,

>

> This is an old discourse and one that is important, but that seems to get

> nowhere. I will relate my experience and you guys can decide how does the

> actions of others affect the LPA community as a whole and as individuals.

>

> I have tried and achieved respect in my career and in my field. I

obtained

> my masters and now work as a professional archaeologist. In my field this

> was not an easy task and I faced many obstacles, as many of you have

also.

>

> The next day after the MTV awards aired one of my co-workers talked to me

> about the awards and how funny where those m.....s,and why I did not do

> that. Well, I told him that I worked hard to stay clear of those

> stereotypes. What insulted and offended me was the M-word, for me that is

> an offensive word and one that is very disrespectful, and that is what it

> comes down to it.... RESPECT!!

>

> If you do not respect yourself, others will not either. If you want to be

> an actor.. be an actor.. if you want to be a clown.. be a clown.. Do

> whatever makes you happy and fills your life and others, that is great.

We

> must do what makes us happy, but without sacrificing our self esteem and

> respect.

>

> I do laugh at the funny things in life... I worked hard for ten years in

my

> profession to be respected, and it just takes some guys to jump in a stage

> for 5 minutes for my co-worker to see me as M that should be in a stage...

>

> LOL... you must appreciate what life gives you and smile at it too..

>

> That is just my opinion.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> - Re: MTV Video Music Awards

>

>

> << Expecting other dwarves to represent the greater whole of dwarves in no

> different than looking at a person of another race and judging the whole

> race

> by that

> person's actions. >>

>

>

> Au contraire, my little Langoliers.

>

> When a person of a specific race, sexual orientation, gender or insert

> adjective of choice accepts a role demeaning to their particular minority

> group how often do they have scads of examples to counteract that? For

every

> woman that strips & does porno (since this is a common example) how many

> other women can you name & point out as good role models? For every person

> of

> color that takes a job demeaning his or her race, how many examples can

one

> find that nullify the derogatory stereotype? Yet how many positive role

> models do WE have? I posed this question last night & someone gave me the

> name of Dr. Ain. Okay -- he's good but the last I checked he wasn't doing

> movies with Jim Carrey. And face it, we know this debate comes up because

of

> the media's portrayals of us and the folks that accept such jobs, not

> orthopedic surgeons.

>

> We don't have the luxury of a large population so therefore each & every

> action someone of our community makes carries that much more weight. If

you

> don't believe me, then just think about how many times a LP is on TV or

the

> movies. How many folks come up to you & make sure that you know they saw

it?

> Now, how many times is a woman, an African-American, or a Latina

highlighted

> in the same. Do you think the same amount of people go up to those folks &

> let them now they saw one of " their people " last night at the movies? I

> don't

> think so.

>

> Maybe I am asking for a lot from folks that are trying to make their

living

> in the entertainment field but just think of how many more options would

be

> open if we were cast as the next-door neighbor, the sibling, the librarian

> or

> the computer whiz. Aren't we already in those roles in real life? Why not

> relfect it in the media's portrayal of us? I certainly don't remember the

> last time I was gainfully employed at Santa's workshop so why should that

be

> the only time I see one of my people on television?

>

> Rose

>

>

> ........................................................

> iWon.com http://www.iwon.com why wouldn't you?

> ........................................................

>

>

>

>