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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 1:56 am
From the Little People of America website: "Little People of America (LPA) defines dwarfism as a medical or genetic condition that usually results in an adult height of 4'10" or shorter..." "In some circles, a midget is the term used for a proportionate dwarf [someone who's limbs are in the same proportion as a 'normal' person, just smaller]. However, the term has fallen into disfavor and is considered offensive by most people of short stature. The term dates back to 1865, the height of the "freak show" era, and was generally applied only to short-statured persons who were displayed for public amusement, which is why it is considered so unacceptable today. Such terms as dwarf, little person, LP, and person of short stature are all acceptable, but most people would rather be referred to by their name than by a label." So, Donny may not realize that a midget is a subcategory of dwarf and that this particular person is a dwarf but not a midget. And even Little Person.. I think the best point is that most people want to be called by their name instead of a characteristic, anyway. I'm not sure if they get to meet and learn names ahead of time on TAR..
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Jasper
Member
09-14-2000
| Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 5:44 am
Actually, they both used it. Him on the shuttle bus in a snickering manner, and her when they were doing the meat run.
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Tabbyking
Member
03-11-2002
| Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 7:37 am
i don't think donny ever considered for one second what category 'midget' is as opposed to 'dwarf' or other terms, or what is PC as far as 'little person', etc. and that's okay, but it was his snickering (well put, jasper!) when he said "the midget"--as if she was a joke or not his equal--that got to me. it sounded totally derogatory (to me) when he said it...
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Jimmer
Member
08-30-2000
| Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 7:43 am
In every season, some contestants have deliberately used derogatory nicknames for the other teams. I can’t remember them (maybe someone else does?). I’m not sure that Donny and Alison even knew that the term “midget” is not considered acceptable. In the excitement of the race, they were probably looking for a way to describe the team and the stature of the participants is one of their more obvious characteristics. Let’s not be hypocritical about this – it was surely a factor in CBS’ decision to include them as a team.
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Jimmer
Member
08-30-2000
| Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 7:44 am
Tabby, I'll be re-watching the show (did I mention that I love the Amazing Race!), so I'll look for this.
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Jasper
Member
09-14-2000
| Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 8:22 am
Jimmer I remember one of the girls being made fun of because of her mole, and her boyfriend called wolfman or something to that effect. I think people noted more so when Donny said midget because it was said in a derisive manner to several other teams, something to the effect well we have to worry about the midget, like that team could not possibly be on their level. However when Ally said it was similar to what your saying above, she was indicating to Donny that that particular team was right behind them. Basically an oh look.
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Jasper
Member
09-14-2000
| Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 8:23 am
PS My dh is rather disappointed there are no clowns this year
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Jimmer
Member
08-30-2000
| Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 9:03 am
Calling those two fine gentleman “clowns” has to be considered derogatory. By the way, they were a great team weren’t they – nice, competitive, funny and fun to watch.
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Jasper
Member
09-14-2000
| Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 9:40 am
lol, I loved them, they were so genial to everyone and such good sports. Two of my favourite competitors in the past five shows.
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Tabbyking
Member
03-11-2002
| Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 4:29 pm
i loved the clowns, too, and i am not a 'clown' person! i dislike it when any team members make fun of physical attributes of the others. i know this is a competition and there will be times of heated tempers with your own teammate or others who push and shove, etc., and that's all part of the show, but derisive or hurting comments really get to me! well, i have to admit they bothered me less when they were directed at the guidos or ian.......LOL but they were rude people themselves.
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