Understanding Offensive Mascots
The continued use of the term “midget” as a mascot by five U.S. high schools—Putnam County High School (Unionville, MO), Freeburg Community High School (Freeburg, IL), Dickinson High School (Dickinson, ND), Estherville Lincoln Central High School (Estherville, IA), and Butternut High School (Butternut, WI)—has a direct and harmful impact on people with dwarfism, also known as Little People. The term, originating from the exploitative “Freak Show” era, was used to dehumanize individuals with short stature, reducing them to mere curiosities for public entertainment. Today, the word “midget” not only lacks any medical meaning, it remains a slur that continues to marginalize and belittle a disabled community made up of those who have, for centuries, faced mockery, objectification, and disrespect.
Its use as a mascot promotes harmful stereotypes, and whether used unintentionally through ignorance or uttered with malicious intent, this hurtful term amounts to harassment in public spaces. These mascots, we strongly believe, are violations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance, such as public schools. By clinging to a slur that is widely recognized as offensive to those living with a genetic anomaly, these schools and their school boards continue to foster a culture of exclusion and disrespect.
The continued use of this outdated and offensive term also sends a dangerous message to students: that tradition and nostalgia are more important than respect and dignity for all. However, by acting to retire the “Midget” mascot, these schools have the opportunity to lead by example, choosing respect over tradition and promoting inclusion, equity, and understanding. The stakes are high, not just for the Little People community but for the values we instill in the next generation.
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