Midget Gems renamed
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woodbine
Community member Posts: 11,663 Disability Gamechanger
Story in the Telegraph saying they have been renamed after a disability campaigner claims the word is "hate speech" to people with dwarfism.
Is it me or are some people over sensitive? As far as I can see MGems have been around for 100 or more years.
Is it me or are some people over sensitive? As far as I can see MGems have been around for 100 or more years.
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Hi @woodbine
Thanks for posting, this is an interesting subject.
The articles I have seen on this seem to mainly mention M&S renaming their midget gems, such as this one. I see it as a positive step and while I recognise your point that they've been around a long time, I think that word is often used in a derogatory way towards those who have dwarfism, and that negative use has only increased with time, I think. Perhaps when the sweets were founded the word didn't have as much prominence as it does now, and the society in which the word was first used was a very different one to the one we have today.
I found this information on the history behind the word:
the word “midget”. The word “midget” was never coined as the official term to identify people with dwarfism, but was created as a label used to refer to people of short stature who were on public display for curiosity and sport."
With a background like that, it's understandable that the word is perceived to be quite insulting.Online Community CoordinatorConcerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.
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I guess as a business they are interested in making money above all else, if they think renaming their product will get them a few more sales they do so?
I agree people are very sensitive these days though but also have to agree with what Ross mentions.
I don't think calling them Midget Gems is hate speech though, surely there has to be an intent to offend for something to be hate speech? I think phrases like "hate speech" are thrown around so much these days that they lose meaning. Which is sad, because actual hate speech then doesn't get treated as seriously as it should do. -
The world has gone mad!!
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If it hadn't been mentioned, then it would never have crossed my mind that this 'might' have a negative connotation, & I certainly don't connect the word midget with achondroplasia or other forms of dwarfism (much as Ross has said).
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As someone whose only 4ft 10in, I've often been referred to as a midget, in all of my 56years, its never once bothered me.
I think this is another case of someone taking offence on behalf of someone else without actually asking if they're offended.
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I also think that it's an interesting topic and different views/opinions should be considered. However, I do believe that every individual will respond to these types of remarks differently, not everyone has the same coping resources/support to deal with comments such as 'being a midget' so I think it's important to bear in mind, that not everyone will be able to manage such responses and it might impact them in a negative wayOnline Community Information Coordinator
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as has been previously said unless this had been bought up I would never had made the connection between the sweets and "little people", I wonder how long the seven dwarves have got until they are phased out, after all they are pretty negative stereotypes, sleepy, dopey etc
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So should we stop calling small versions of full size things dwarf as in dwarf trees or rabbits.
Or slightly confusingly from the Oxford dictionary ( Googled)midge/mɪdʒ/nounplural noun: midges- 1.a small or minute two-winged fly that forms swarms and breeds near water or marshy areas.
- 2.INFORMALa small person.
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@Username_removed or even three blind mice just like baa baa black sheep was changed and black Jack sweets
Personally I don't get offended easily I even refer to getting legless (drunk) with my friends
I do however understand other people who do find these things offensive but sometimes it just goes too far
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