The Little People of America and residents of Illinois are in a battle over the fate of a high school’s mascot.
The Little People of America created a petition demanding Freeburg High School change its “Midgets” mascot and stop selling “Midgetwear” merchandise.
According to the organization’s petition, "dwarf" is acceptable. though:
“The term ‘midget’ dehumanizes and objectifies people of short stature. The word was first coined in reference to people of short stature who were on public display for curiosity and sport, and the word evolved into a negative connotation. The preferred terminology is ‘dwarf,’ ‘little person,’ or ‘person of short stature.’”
Although there are schools throughout the country with “Midgets” as their mascots, the Little People of America chose to target Freeburg High School since the school is located near St. Louis, where the Little People of America recently hosted its annual conference.
Upset residents of Freeburg created a counter petition in support of the mascot, stating:
“It is time in America to stand up and say words do not create evil and if we allow a few short minded people to dictate what is right and wrong then we will live in a world full of fear. Freeburg is not a place of hate, and as Americans we have the right to use the Midgets as a mascot because it is the foundation of what it meant to come from freeburg [sic]. We are a small town, but that does not stop us from achieving great things.”
While the original petition to change the mascot closed after receiving 4,508 signatures, the petition in support of the mascot has over 3,500 signatures and is growing.
The News-Democrat reports the Little People of America delivered the petition to school superintendent Andrew Lehman.
Lehman told the Associated Press the school district has no plans to change the mascot, but will raise the issue at the next school board meeting.
A group of over 500 supporters of the “Midgets” mascot plan to attend the school board meeting tonight to vocalize their opinions on the mascot.