Re: RC: Re: Please don't use the word "midget"

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated Wed, 20 Dec 2000  2:58:55 PM Eastern Standard Time, "Pat 
Super" <superpat@ccountry.net> writes:

<< Hi Lari,  Just want to thank you for your gentle reminder   about how our 
innocent use of words can be hurtful. And we would never know   unless 
someone took the time to tell us. But I have to admit to still a little   
confusion. If one wanted to refer to a horse who is on the very small side,   
would one refer to a "dwarf horse"? Would that be less offensive or better   
yet....not offensive?  >>

Lari's reminder was a good one, but to be absolutely correct, both words 
"midget" and "dwarf" describe fairly precise and somewhat different 
conditions.  A "dwarf" is a person or animal that has a fairly specific 
genetic anomaly that causes long bones to be abnormally short relative to 
other body parts.  Hence true dwarves have very short legs, but often fairly 
normal sized heads, torsos, feet, hands, etc.  "Midgets" on the other hand, 
are normally proportioned but abnormally small.  As long as either word is 
used in its correct context, neither should be offensive--where offense comes 
in is when either word is used as a derogatory description to belittle anyone 
or anything that is small of stature.

Heidi