Laurence,
Sorry it is taking me so long to respond, I've
been busy lately. I seem to answer my
messages all at once.
Yes I do agree that dwarfs are portrayed quite
strangely. It is often a issue on the dwarfism
interactive list. We often discuss how other
dwarfs make it hard to break down these
stereotypes by participating in degrading
events, such as dwarf tossing.
Just last night I was at an AGM (Annual
General Meeting) and this much older man
walked past me and patted me on the head
and said hello darling. I hate it when people
do that, but I don't get anger and go off at
them. I just politely ask them to not do that
again or I'll take out their knee caps... sorry
just kidding. Seriously, I do politely ask them
not to pat me on the head.
It's hard to break away from stereotypes when
they are a part of the culture in stories and
such. It's not that I mind fairytales at all, they
are wonderful imaginations at work, but it is
important that people realize that it is only a
story and we (dwarfs) are just everyday
people with, hopefully, everyday lives.
Take care,
Jude
>>Hi Judith
You say you have a big voice for a small
person. I hope its not too
personal an observation, but you also have
big typeface (font) :-)
I recall that the only thing I learnt about
dwarfism was that it was a
condition caused by either of two things -
achondroplasia or a pituitary
gland tumour or lesion. My learning was very
much in terms of
physiology.
There are some really gross and demeaning
ways in which short statured
people are exploited such as dwarf throwing
contests, dwarf wrestling and
generally, the portrayal of short statured
people in movies and television
that endows them with 'special' characteristics
(either evil or good); often
as henchmen, lucky charms or 'consciences'
all of which are offsiders to
main characters. What part does mythology
play in the construction of
'the dwarf'?
Laurence
Judith M. Irving BSc Arch.Envir.Design
Research Assistant / PhD Student
S U R F A C E
Salford University Research Focus on AcCessible Environments
Bridgewater Building
Salford University
Salford, M7 9NU
England
Tel:0161-295-3194
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