Needless to say, there has been very active discussion of the issue of
representation of people of restricted growth on 'Shortlist', the
internet discussion group for UK people in this community. Many people
were outraged by the recent media events - Frank Skinner show etc. The
RGA Media Group have written to many people concerned in BBC, ITV, ITC
etc, and have received apologies from various television executives.
There is an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons protesting at the
insulting references to restricted growth, which MPs are enouraged to
sign.
Many of us find it disturbing that while it would be entirely
illegitimate and virtually unheard of to make derogatory statements
about ethnic minorities, women, LGBT etc, people seem to consider it
acceptable to make fun of people with restricted growth/dwarfs.
Equally, in my experience TV commissioning editors have the bright idea
of doing a docco about 'dwarfs in show biz', 'Snow White dwarfs' etc etc
on a regular basis, and many of these programmes are excuses for
voyeurism. See also the recent book, In the Little World, which was very
unpleasant and distorted (explored Little People of America annual
convention/followed several individuals through relationships, medical
intervention etc).
Having said that, IMHO there have been some good doccos - the recent one
'Teenage Dwarf' was regarded positively in most respects by many people
in the community, not least because people with the condition were
involved in the editorial/production of it. Also, not all feature films
with restricted growth actors are bad, and characters like Mickey in
Seinfeld were very positive representations.
Tom
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