The statement from Little People of America (LPA) regarding the episode of the "Celebrity Apprentice" that aired on April 5, 2009. (Pictured is a scene from Team Athena's viral video from the show.)Little People of America is a national non-profit support organization for people with dwarfism and their families. As a membership organization representing thousands of people with dwarfism around the country, we are deeply disappointed with the episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" that NBC aired on April 5, 2009. Over the past few decades, representation of people of short stature on television, in print and on film has made significant progress. In years past, people with dwarfism were most often portrayed no better than a side show attraction at a traveling carnival or the court jester.
Today, television, print and film often portray people of short stature as fully developed characters, not defined by their appearance. In addition, increased
awareness has challenged and limited use of language such as the word "midget," considered highly offensive by the dwarfism community.
Working against efforts to create a more tolerant, inclusive community, the April 5 episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" repeatedly used the word "midget" and portrayed people with dwarfism more as objects than as individuals. Some of the cast members saw nothing wrong with portraying people with dwarfism as items of ridicule to make people laugh and create a "buzz" for a "viral video" project. Even though, on more than one occasion, contestants recognized that people with dwarfism find the word "midget" highly offensive (Donald Trump, Jr. even raised the question of terminology), the word continued to be used, including by celebrity role members and a mother of four.The word was also included in the title of the final product created by one "Celebrity Apprentice" team (the Athena Team). More than eighty percent of people with dwarfism have average height parents and siblings. Like other disabilities, dwarfism can impact any family, making the behavior of contestants on "Celebrity Apprentice" all the more upsetting and disappointing.
As part of the disabled population, people with dwarfism have worked hard to navigate social and physical barriers in order to become full participants and contributors to their communities. Today, people with dwarfism are employed as teachers, social workers, entertainers, lawyers, doctors and scores of other professions. In addition to working these professions, through the work of Little People of America and beyond, thousands of people with dwarfism are striving to positively impact all communities in accepting and embracing difference.In order to reach this goal, the community of people of dwarfism has been challenged with scores of social and physical barriers. We applaud the work of actors with dwarfism whose diligent work to advocate for better roles is helping the community navigate those barriers. Though we recognize the right of all actors to pursue employment, we are saddened that roles demeaning people of short stature continue to be created as a gimmick to gain attention.
On April 5, rather than use an opportunity to present a positive portrayal of people with dwarfism, "Celebrity Apprentice" added another barrier through which the dwarfism community will be forced to navigate. It is the hope of Little People of America that, in the future, NBC, Mark Burnett Productions, Donald Trump and "Celebrity Apprentice" tear down walls of ignorance and discrimination rather than build new walls. We call on "Celebrity Apprentice" to partner with Little People of America, the dwarfism and the disability community in order to create a more inclusive community where all people are allowed to pursue opportunity without prejudice or discrimination.
About Little People of America: LPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy and support for individuals of short stature. LPA strives to enhance the lives of its members and their families by providing services and programs that meet their needs. LPA provides information and support to individuals whose short stature is generally caused by one of the more than 200 medical conditions known as
dwarfism.
For more information, contact Gary Arnold, VP of Public Relations for Little People of America at 312-640-2199 or Joanna Campbell, Executive Director, at 714-862-4247.
LPA National Office:
Little People of America, Inc.,
250 El Camino
Real, Suite 201,
Tustin, CA 92780
http://www.lpaonline.org/
