For decades, this comical character has adorned the hallowed halls of Freeburg Community High School. He is a symbol of strength and drive. The true embodiment of the community's spirit. Yet, some are demanding that he be banished forever.
The Little People of America claim this character to be offensive. He is viewed as a derogatory depiction of people with short stature. This is not the first time that the group has tried to change the mascot.
Four years ago, the LPA brought this case to the Freeburg School Board. Representatives explained the story of how the mascot came to be. In the 1930's, a journalist coined the phrase "Mighty Midgets" after witnessing the passion and tenacity of a basketball team that was made up of very short members. The LPA came to the decision that the mascot was not meant to be offensive, but inspirational.
Nothing about the mascot has changed. So, why now? How can this mascot suddenly become offensive again after just four years?
What I find offensive is the idea of people who do not even live in the community breezing into town and demanding a change. Have they ever come to a Midget's football game? If they had, they would see the crowd going crazy in the stands. They would hear the cheering and applause from the Midget's adoring fans.
The Midget inspires all sports teams to play their hearts out Even if the opposing team is larger, we face them head on with no fear. When in the midst of defeat, we never give up. That is the spirit of the Mighty Midget.
I also find the reasoning behind wanting the change to be lacking. In the clip that is circulating on TV, a spokesperson for the LPA states that: "If you ever have a family with dwarfism, you are going to create an uncomfortable situation for them." He also went on to say that bullying would ensue.
I fail to see how a cartoon mascot would make someone uncomfortable. The community would treat such a family the exact same way it treats all of the town's residents, with respect. I also feel that the bullying comment is a complete stretch. Why is our community and its residents being judged based upon our mascot?
This mascot does not affect the livelihood of the Little People. He does not prevent anyone from living a happy and fulfilled life. So why is he the target of such hatred?
As I mentioned before, the Midget is a CARTOON character. He is completely fictional. Is the LPA planning on attacking other fictional characters as well? How about going after Disney for those scandalous dwarfs in Snow White? And they most certainly will want to go after the producers of The Wizard of Oz for the demeaning munchkins, right? We won't even mention the despicable Oompa Loompas from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
I feel that the LPA is quick to get offended. You do not hear of people with speech impediments petitioning Warner Brothers over Porky Pig. They realize that he is just a character created to bring laughter and joy to others. No one is laughing at people with speech impediments when they enjoy a Porky Pig cartoon. Much in the same way that no one is making fun of Little People by maintaining our mascot.
I believe that the Midget represents our community's heritage. A heritage that we are proud of. Why would anyone seek to take that away?
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Wild Weather
Lightning flashes across the sky. Thunder crashes in the night. Amidst nature's fury, a siren pierces the air. A tornado is coming.
I race to the local storm shelter. As a volunteer shelter manager for the local Emergency Service and Disaster Agency (E.S.D.A.), it is my responsibility to open the shelter when a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued.
Sadly, many people refuse to take action. The watches and warnings are viewed as a joke. Some even leave their safe area in order to film the impending storm. This is how lives are lost. In 2011, a devastating tornado ripped through Joplin, MO. Numerous people perished that day because they did not heed the National Weather Services' tornado watch that was issued. Instead, people continued with their outdoor activities until it was too late.
Some are brazen enough to think that they can "out run" a tornado or severe storm. With winds raging at over 100 miles per hour, throwing debris and destroying all objects in its path, tornadoes can easily overtake a vehicle.
My father has been the E.S.D.A. Coordinator for over 40 years. Weather awareness has always been important in our family. I can still remember being scared of the weather alert radio that would blare from my parent's bedroom.
Weather Alert Radios are devices that are activated via a special tone when a watch or warning is issued. The device has evolved greatly since I was little. Not only are portable versions available, but many models can be programmed to only activate for specific weather advisories.
In today's tech savvy world, there is no excuse for people to ever claim they are "unaware" of impending weather events. Numerous free weather apps are available on iTunes, Google Playstore, etc. Many TV stations have their own version of "Storm Mode" where they will not return to scheduled programming until all severe threats have passed the viewing area.
What I cannot understand is why a great number of people call the TV stations to complain. I recently watched a meteorologist on Channel 4 apologize profusely for interrupting an episode of "Big Brother." Seriously? People are more concerned about a faked "reality" show than they are about keeping their families (and themselves) safe?
Even with all of the advanced technology, there is no substitute for common sense. People have complained to my dad that they cannot hear the outdoor warning sirens from inside their home. The key word is OUTDOOR. These sirens are not meant to penetrate walls, basements, etc. They are designed to be heard OUTSIDE.
One resident became furious when he found out that a new siren was going to be installed in his subdivision. His issue? He claimed that he moved there for "peace and quiet." I suppose he is not concerned about the safety of his neighbors.
In 1968, a tornado ravaged our town. My dad decided that something needed to be done. He gathered his friends and went door-to-door gathering signatures to petition the mayor for outdoor warning sirens. Definitely not your typical high schooler.
Thousands of signatures later, the mayor purchased two sirens. Through grants, my dad was later able to secure two additional sirens. We are also designated as a StormReady Community by the National Weather Service.
Being weather aware is crucial, especially for those of us living in Tornado Alley. Remember that a watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather/tornadoes. A warning means that the severe weather/tornado is happening now. In the words of Channel 5 meteorologist Scott Connell, "Don't be a statistic."
I race to the local storm shelter. As a volunteer shelter manager for the local Emergency Service and Disaster Agency (E.S.D.A.), it is my responsibility to open the shelter when a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued.
Sadly, many people refuse to take action. The watches and warnings are viewed as a joke. Some even leave their safe area in order to film the impending storm. This is how lives are lost. In 2011, a devastating tornado ripped through Joplin, MO. Numerous people perished that day because they did not heed the National Weather Services' tornado watch that was issued. Instead, people continued with their outdoor activities until it was too late.
Some are brazen enough to think that they can "out run" a tornado or severe storm. With winds raging at over 100 miles per hour, throwing debris and destroying all objects in its path, tornadoes can easily overtake a vehicle.
My father has been the E.S.D.A. Coordinator for over 40 years. Weather awareness has always been important in our family. I can still remember being scared of the weather alert radio that would blare from my parent's bedroom.
Weather Alert Radios are devices that are activated via a special tone when a watch or warning is issued. The device has evolved greatly since I was little. Not only are portable versions available, but many models can be programmed to only activate for specific weather advisories.
In today's tech savvy world, there is no excuse for people to ever claim they are "unaware" of impending weather events. Numerous free weather apps are available on iTunes, Google Playstore, etc. Many TV stations have their own version of "Storm Mode" where they will not return to scheduled programming until all severe threats have passed the viewing area.
What I cannot understand is why a great number of people call the TV stations to complain. I recently watched a meteorologist on Channel 4 apologize profusely for interrupting an episode of "Big Brother." Seriously? People are more concerned about a faked "reality" show than they are about keeping their families (and themselves) safe?
Even with all of the advanced technology, there is no substitute for common sense. People have complained to my dad that they cannot hear the outdoor warning sirens from inside their home. The key word is OUTDOOR. These sirens are not meant to penetrate walls, basements, etc. They are designed to be heard OUTSIDE.
One resident became furious when he found out that a new siren was going to be installed in his subdivision. His issue? He claimed that he moved there for "peace and quiet." I suppose he is not concerned about the safety of his neighbors.
In 1968, a tornado ravaged our town. My dad decided that something needed to be done. He gathered his friends and went door-to-door gathering signatures to petition the mayor for outdoor warning sirens. Definitely not your typical high schooler.
Thousands of signatures later, the mayor purchased two sirens. Through grants, my dad was later able to secure two additional sirens. We are also designated as a StormReady Community by the National Weather Service.
Being weather aware is crucial, especially for those of us living in Tornado Alley. Remember that a watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather/tornadoes. A warning means that the severe weather/tornado is happening now. In the words of Channel 5 meteorologist Scott Connell, "Don't be a statistic."
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