Hi Erin
Good luck with your project. I heard your presentation at LSE a while ago
which raised my consciousness about discrimination relating to restriced
growth. A few weeks later I was very shocked to hear a series of offensive
jokes about restricted growth on a Radio 4 sitcom. The show was called
Party and broadcast on 01.06.2011. I've made a complaint to the BBC - the
first time I've felt moved to do so. Maybe others on the list would like to
do so as well? If you want to listen to the show here is the link on the
BBC i-player:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011jrmq/Party_Series_2_All_publicity_is_good_publicity/
Here is my complaint:
Complaint type:
Radio
Location:
England
Radio station:
Radio 4
Programme title:
Party
Transmission date:
01/06/2011
Complaint category:
Offence
Complaint summary:
offensive stereotyping regarding dwarfism/restricted growth
Full complaint:
I was shocked to hear a stream of jokes reinforcing negative and offensive
stereotypes regarding dwarfism. I do understand that the whole programme was
meant to be satirising the callow and ill-informed students with who are
attempting to claim political brownie points by adopting/impersonating
marginalised identities (bisexual, wheelchair user, ethnic minority). None
of these riffs were very funny, but I assumed that the writers were inviting
the audience to laugh at the students, not bisexual or disabled people.
However, the jokes about dwarfs were poking fun at the condition itself, for
instance suggesting that it would be amusing to imagine a dwarf being picked
up and carried to save time, being mistaken for a child or being called a
"bobbin". People of restricted growth experience a lot of abuse,
discrimination, and mockery. They report being treated as curiosities and
"freaks". There are lots of variations in how we present as human beings,
and dwarfism is one of them, not a source of ridicule and cheap laughs.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Erin Pritchard" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2011 10:52 AM
Subject: Looking for research participants on project on restricted growth
and space
I would be grateful if people on the list could forward my email to anyone
they know who might be interested in participating in the research I am
undertaking at Newcastle University.
I am looking for women with restricted growth to take part in an interview
for my PhD research looking at issues of marginalisation and challenge both
spatially and socially within the built environment (it also draws on my own
experience as a woman with restricted growth). The interview should last no
more than one hour and would take place in a time and place suitable for the
participant. I am recruiting from across England and Wales.
I am happy to respond to any questions people have to provide further detail
about the project and what I am exploring.
Thank you for your help.
While emailing, people might be interested to read a piece I did for Times
Higher on some of the issues disabled students face in higher education.
Here is the link:
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=415953&encCode=1112878151BC78992875JTBS737226611
Erin
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