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Thread: following my tweet about the word "M*dget", lots of people are asking "but what do we call people with #dwarfism?". Listen close...
Please RT 1/
Please RT 1/
I promise you: the best thing to call someone with #dwarfism is *their name*.
If you don't know their name, ask yourself why you need to refer to their body before knowing who they are. This is important. 2/
If you don't know their name, ask yourself why you need to refer to their body before knowing who they are. This is important. 2/
3/ Know their name? Good. Then politely ask them how they like to refer to themselves.
It's for them to decide, not you. They are the author of the dictionary that defines them*
Don't know their name? See 2/.
(* I stole this from Zadie Smith)
It's for them to decide, not you. They are the author of the dictionary that defines them*
Don't know their name? See 2/.
(* I stole this from Zadie Smith)
4/ If you don't have an opportunity to ask 2/ or 3/ you really should question why you feel you need to have a conversation about someone's body that excludes the very person you're talking about.
Would you like to be in this position?
#dwarfism #disability
Would you like to be in this position?
#dwarfism #disability
5/ Many #dwarf people prefer different terms. That's fine. Remember: it's their body, not yours. I would suggest you're safe starting with 'person with #dwarfism'. I personally also use 'dwarf person'.
6/ 'Little Person' is preferred by some - especially in the U.S. Personally, I don't like 'Little Person'.
It suggests I have less innate power and value than a 'big person' and I don't believe I do (although society tries to make me believe it). See 7/
It suggests I have less innate power and value than a 'big person' and I don't believe I do (although society tries to make me believe it). See 7/
7/ Think about it. Synonyms for big - huge, grand, giant - and synonyms for small - tiny, petite, miniature - all imply *power*.
The media is besotted with this power disparity: "little people, big world", "small person, big dreams", etc. Blah, blah, blah. It's nauseating.
The media is besotted with this power disparity: "little people, big world", "small person, big dreams", etc. Blah, blah, blah. It's nauseating.
8/ "Little/small person, Big world" makes it sound like I am a guest in someone else's house. I am not.
The world is as much of our making as it is of yours.
I do not need permission to be here. #dwarfism #disability
The world is as much of our making as it is of yours.
I do not need permission to be here. #dwarfism #disability
9/ I sometimes use "#dwarf" for brevity but I'd suggest you use the word "person" - 'person with #dwarfism', 'dwarf person', 'Little Person'".
Not sure which one to use? No worries. See 1/ and work down. I don't speak for all people with dwarfism. That's why 1/ is so important.
Not sure which one to use? No worries. See 1/ and work down. I don't speak for all people with dwarfism. That's why 1/ is so important.
10 / "M*dget" is a horrible slur. It should never be used. Tell your friends. And call them out when they use it.
If you feel uncomfortable calling out your friends using the m-word, well think about how *we* feel when we hear it in conversations, when strangers shout it at us.
If you feel uncomfortable calling out your friends using the m-word, well think about how *we* feel when we hear it in conversations, when strangers shout it at us.
11/ Finally, the best thing you can do is be *respectful*.
Don't assume, don't generalise, ask 1/ & 2/. Personally, I think it's better to use the wrong term ignorantly but respectfully than the right term maliciously.
Intentions are everything. If in doubt, start with 1/.
Don't assume, don't generalise, ask 1/ & 2/. Personally, I think it's better to use the wrong term ignorantly but respectfully than the right term maliciously.
Intentions are everything. If in doubt, start with 1/.
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