Little People want Freeburg HS to change nickname

[tarcone]

At the recent Little People of America convention in St. Louis, the attendees demanded Freeburg HS change its nickname.
They are the Freeburg Midgets.

Little people convening in St. Louis demand Freeburg retire “Midgets” nickname | Belleville News-Democrat Belleville News-Democrat (http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article26722351.html)

[ISiddiqui]

They should change their name to Freebird HS.

[Ragone]

Whats next? Can't have pee-wee football? seriously.. where does all the pc stuff end?

[ISiddiqui]

... aside from the fact that "midget" has been considered a non-acceptable term for little people for a while. I mean I don't even think Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones has been called it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

from FCHS History (http://www.fchs77.org/district.cfm?subpage=1096054)

The following is taken directly from an old framed story that has been hanging in the Principal's office.

History of the Name “Midgets”

According to those interviewed who were students during the 1934-35 school year, the name “Midgets” was given to the FCHS basketball team by a local newspaper sports writer. That year the basketball team had a small team with the tallest player at five feet ten inches tall. He was the center.


The size of the team did not seem to handicap the team since it felt that it could overcome the lack of height with “fast break” tactics. The major difficulty came during this season when the rules called for a center jump after each basket scored. A team which had a player much above six feet tall could control most center jumps and consequently have a considerable offensive advantage.


The story goes that on a particular night during the 1934-35 season, Dupo had not lost a regular season game for three years when it came time for the Midgets to play them. With only six players on the team, it was not uncommon for the team to find it necessary to borrow some of the spectators from the audience to complete the game. This was considered on acceptable practice. Late in this crucial game, all Freeburg students had fouled out of the game leaving only Freeburg spectators on the court to protect a one point lead over the powerful Dupo team. With only seconds left in the game a Freeburg “borrowed player” intercepted a wayward pass and scored the final goal resulting in a halt to the long winning streak by Dupo.


Since the 1934-35 school year the name “Midgets” has been the loyal team name for may hundreds of Freeburg High School students on all types of teams. It is now held as an affectionate and respectful label.

[SackAttack]

... aside from the fact that "midget" has been considered a non-acceptable term for little people for a while. I mean I don't even think Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones has been called it.

Is "dwarf" considered more acceptable than "midget"?

I honestly don't know.

[Grover]

Is "dwarf" considered more acceptable than "midget"?

I honestly don't know.

Dwarf is an actual term, so I believe so.

[cartman]

I'm glad my convertible is an Austin-Healey Sprite, and not a MG Midget.

[ISiddiqui]

Is "dwarf" considered more acceptable than "midget"?

I honestly don't know.

Yep. Dwarf is actually fine to use according to a number of Little People I have spoken to.

[Arles]

I remember playing them in HS. They were a pretty small school (and awful) from what I recall. It was fun beating them by 20 in hoops while their cheerleaders exclaimed what great midgets they were :D

[lighthousekeeper]

Is "dwarf" considered more acceptable than "midget"? I honestly don't know.

Dwarf is actually fine to use according to a number of Little People I have spoken to.

The Little People I have spoken to seem friendly enough, but never really gave an answer.

http://judysvintagefptoys.com/images/bargain%20basement/701-bargain.JPG

[cartman]

I remember playing them in HS. They were a pretty small school (and awful) from what I recall. It was fun beating them by 20 in hoops while their cheerleaders exclaimed what great midgets they were :D

I see what you did there

[Danny]

Whats next? Can't have pee-wee football? seriously.. where does all the pc stuff end?


I find the anti pc crowd worse than the pc crowd. This isn't a sports team someone can choose to root for or not. This is a school in which a little person may actually attend. Can't imagine that the name would make him or her feel good.

[Fidatelo]

I guess I don't know the history of the word enough to know if I should agree or disagree with the Little People. I do know that in Manitoba there is a level of hockey called Midget and I have always found that strange, simply because even to this day I have no idea what age group that represents.

[JPhillips]

Looks like the village of Whitesboro, NY is facing heat for it's official seal.

http://i2.wp.com/twib.me/syndication/syndication/wp-content/uploads/150707_sla_whitesboro.jpg.CROP_.original-original.jpg

Supposedly that's a tribute to a history of wrestling matches with natives.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I guess I don't know the history of the word enough to know if I should agree or disagree with the Little People. I do know that in Manitoba there is a level of hockey called Midget and I have always found that strange, simply because even to this day I have no idea what age group that represents.

The term is also still in use for youth football in the U.S. as well, not all that uncommonly either, based on a quick Google.

Midget football league's desire to move field from ex-landfill causes fumble with school district | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2015/05/midget_football_leagues_desire_to_move_field_from.html)

Steel Valley Midget Football Association - (Homestead, PA) - powered by LeagueLineup.com (http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=svmfa)

Dunkirk man charged with stealing from midget football league - City & Region - The Buffalo News (http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/dunkirk-man-charged-with-stealing-from-midget-football-league-20141024)

[molson]

That's amazing (the New York seal).

I think maybe there's some point when something passes through the realm of offensiveness and then just becomes so ridiculous it's OK. Like maybe if the high school was the "drunken fighting midgets" it'd be OK.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I remember playing them in HS. They were a pretty small school (and awful) from what I recall. It was fun beating them by 20 in hoops

Well, I'm sure they gave good effort even if they did come up a little short in the end.

[Honolulu_Blue]

That's amazing (the New York seal).

I think maybe there's some point when something passes through the realm of offensiveness and then just becomes so ridiculous it's OK. Like maybe if the high school was the "drunken fighting midgets" it'd be OK.

Wow. That is amazing. That looks like something straight out of Pawnee.

http://e.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/cocreate/slides/pawnee5_0.jpg

[ISiddiqui]

Looks like the village of Whitesboro, NY is facing heat for it's official seal.

http://i2.wp.com/twib.me/syndication/syndication/wp-content/uploads/150707_sla_whitesboro.jpg.CROP_.original-original.jpg

Supposedly that's a tribute to a history of wrestling matches with natives.

OMG... it's kind of like that South Park episode. That flag is just as bad as the fake one in the show.

[sabotai]

Looks like the village of Whitesboro, NY is facing heat for it's official seal.

http://i2.wp.com/twib.me/syndication/syndication/wp-content/uploads/150707_sla_whitesboro.jpg.CROP_.original-original.jpg

Supposedly that's a tribute to a history of wrestling matches with natives.

#NotTheOnion

[JPhillips]

The story of the wrestling match:

Most of the Oneida tribe of Indians had maintained their professions of friendship for the white man in an honorable manner. Judge White, as a frontier settler along the Sauquoit Creek, was required to exercise much diplomacy in dealing with his red neighbors. He soon acquired their good will and was fortunate to inspire them with very exalted ideas of his character. An incident that occurred between an Oneida Indian and Hugh White sealed a lasting friendship and confidence. An Oneida Indian of rather athletic form was one day present at the White's house with several of his companions and at length for fun commenced wrestling. After many trials, the chief became conqueror and he came up to Hugh White and challanged him. White dared not risk being brow beaten by an Indian nor did he want to be called a coward. In early manhood, he had been a wrestler, but of late felt he was out of practice. He felt conscious of personal strength and he concluded that even should he be thrown, that would be the lesser of two evils in the eyes of the Oneida Indians than to acquire the reputation of cowardice by declining. He accepted the challenge, took hold of the Indian and by a fortunate trip, succeeded almost instantly in throwing him. As he saw him falling, in order to prevent another challenge, he fell upon the Indian for an instant and it was some moments before he could rise. When the Indian finally rose, he shrugged his shoulders and was said to have muttered "UGH", you good fellow too much". Hugh White became a hero in the eyes of the Oneida Indians. This incident made more manifest the respect of the Indian for White. In all ways, White dealt fairly with the Oneida tribe and gained their confidence, which brought about good-will.

[stevew]

They should become the fightin' Imps or the HalfMen

[ISiddiqui]

HALF MAN! HALF MAN!!

[JonInMiddleGA]

HALF MAN! HALF MAN!!


Cue "Fightin' Caitlyns" joke in 3 ... 2 ...

[Desnudo]

#NotTheOnion

It's a tribute!

White Settlement, Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Settlement,_Texas)

[Subby]

‘Once a Midget, always a Midget:’ Illinois high school to keep controversial nickname - The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/07/17/once-a-midget-always-a-midget-illinois-high-school-to-keep-controversial-nickname/?postshare=1521437146490309)

[cuervo72]

New mascot:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e3/67/70/e3677066cf2dbc41ca3d3f98ad24ca7c.jpg


(and yes, yes I know the name was short for "Girl Midget")

[Julio Riddols]

Gidget was hot.

[path12]

There is a little person (that always feels weird to say) at my doctors office that draws my blood. I find her attractive.

Though it is weird for someone to stand on a stool while they take blood out of your arm.

[stevew]

I do wonder how "little person" became the preferred term.

[Suicane75]

Most innocuous way to describe what they really are? I still prefer wee people.