My protest in February!


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Yes, that is me and contrary to what others may say, people did take pics of me; I couldn't take a pic of myself now could I?

 

One day: One voice: One cause

   It will always be a day that will be etched in my mind forever; the day I protested height discrimination:  February 12, 2011.

   It was a cold, windy day in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan.  I was to pace back and forth outside the Standard Hotel for two hours either by myself or with anyone else who was willing to come; regardless, it had to be done!   So, I made my way to the Sixth precinct to make the community affairs officer aware of my plan just to be on the safe side.   After which, I made my way to the Standard Hotel to begin ( what I hope will be ) a new path in the fight against heightism.

  Fighting the rough wind,  I wrote down what I felt was necessary on my placard and marched across the street to the hotel.   It didn’t take long for an employee to see me and roll his eyes and say “You got to be kidding me!”   I wasn’t going to be swayed by anyone!  I sat my bag down ( which I later would have to remove and hold onto) and immediately noticed a cabbie seeing what I was doing, honking his horn and giving me a thumbs up!  I wandered over to him and he told me how he read the story in the paper and was in support of what I was doing.  So, within the span of two minutes, before I even started pacing, I had a reaction to what I was doing.  

   The manager noticed me a few moments later and said that there were of course “two sides to the story.”   When I asked him the hotel’s side, he then, as one would expect, couldn’t reveal it and told me that it was too cold for me and that no one else was there to help me.  My response was “I couldn’t care less.”   I then proceeded to pace out in front of the hotel for two hours by myself, in the cold wind, amongst some ridicule, laughing, curiosity and support.

   Was the message sent? (My message was that “Height discrimination must end!”) Perhaps.   I am sure there were some people who were thinking about the issue as they walked by.   Some asked me what happened and others revealed stories of heightism.  A few people even took pictures of me.  

   But, you had better believe that this issue is right there, below the surface.   I really don’t think it will take as much as we think it will to bring it out.  I firmly believe that there are lots of people who are fed up with appearance based bull shit!

   If we can get together, protest and fight this thing it could just take off.  A sign by one person had people talking.  What do you think a protest by many would do for the cause?  You don’t have to be a NOSSA member to do it, just get out there and do it!  Is it scary?  Yes….somewhat.   It isn’t impossible!  I got my first one out of the way, so now the second one will be that much easier.  Sitting there at your keyboards, blogging and posting on a forum may be supportive but it is going to take a more proactive approach to alleviate this prejudice which has plagued us.

   I came out of the protest unscathed and know that I got some people talking; if you feel passionately about this issue (as I do), don’t hesitate to  organize a protest yourself if you must.

  We can do it!  We will defeat this prejudice!  Please don’t be afraid to speak out!

Cocktail waitresses fired for being too short

   Ladies and gentleman, another case of heightism has emerged. Yet, even after reading what happened to these two NY women, people will once again dismiss the idea and tell us advocates for the short that we are crazy, have complexes or something else derogatory.
   Read for yourself this incident of height discrimination by the Standard Hotel, proprietors of the Boom Boom Room, located in the meatpacking district in NYC…
 http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/manhattan/lawsuit-claims-nightclub-fired-waitresses-for-being-too-short-20110126

   Of course these women, Stephanie Jaggers and Faye Rex, are filing a discrimination suit against the hotel, though, not for height discrimination but gender discrimination.   Sadly, that is their best chance for a remedy since there really isn’t any legislation banning height discrimination in NY.
   I wonder how much longer this is going to go on. I wonder how much longer society, as a whole, is going to continue to deny (mostly so it can keep practicing it) that this form of discrimination takes place. No other state has passed legislation to ban heightism besides Michigan in 1977 (The Eliot Larsen Act). San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Washington D.C. and Madison, Wi have some protections in place. The states of Massachusetts and Nevada are considering legislation to ban this unfair treatment of us shorter individuals. Bullying in schools, disparities in pay, scarce dating opportunities and harassment in the workplace all plague those of us who aren’t “up to par” (as what was told these two young ladies).  Yet, we aren’t offered the same recourse as other groups who have experienced the same amount of oppression.  
  Maybe, someday, when someone is discounted and mistreated because of their height, they can actually take someone to task for height discrimination and not have to look for another way to get some justice. But, that would mean we would be regarded as equals under the law but apparently, according to the Standard Hotel (the name fits doesn‘t it?), us shorter people don’t quite fit the mold.

If Jon Carmichael were Jane Carmichael...

…

…would his tragic suicide receive more attention than it did? Sadly, it may have. Not only was Jon Carmichael’s plight of continuous bullying ignored while he was in school but it seems it hasn’t received that much attention after his death either. Maybe if he were a teenage girl it would be different.

   I am sure most have heard of Phoebe Prince, the 15 year old girl from Massachusetts who killed herself after being bullied by classmates... Perhaps her story is receiving more attention because of the cyber bullying issue or could it be that if she had been a smaller boy who was cyber bullied, the story would have just gone away?

   Megan Meier.  She was the 13 year old girl who had a prank pulled on her over the internet.  I am sure many know of her too. A mother of a boy she liked pretended to be him and then dump her; resulting in her suicide.

    Now, in comparison, how many have heard of Eric Mohat?  Ryan Halligan?  Daniel Scruggs? And the latest…Jon Carmichael? Go ahead…Google these names and see what you come up with.   See how much attention their bully related suicides have received.   

   Eric Mohat was a taller, lankier, nerdy 17 year old from Ohio who was tormented relentlessly and was perceived as being gay. Ryan Halligan was a teenage boy with some health issues and maybe had some mental issues as well. A group of girls continuously harassed and bullied him and called him a loser who they would never dream of being involved with. Daniel Scruggs was an undersized 12 year old, who was constantly physically assaulted by classmates. Where are their stories? All these boys committed suicide as a result of being bullied, yet haven’t received the same attention as have the two teenage girls.

   Now, Jon Carmichael, who was bullied because he was short, small weak etc., is going to be forgotten, as his issue was when he was in school. Jon was thrown into trash cans, into toilet bowls, had his books constantly being pushed out of his arms and was shoved into lockers. God knows what else went on with him. As a result of this and the inaction of the teachers, he took his own life on March 28^th, 2010 at the age of 13. Does anyone know about him yet?  Has his story circulated all over the news wire or has he been just a blurb? Who knows, maybe if he were Jane Carmichael, you would have heard his story a couple of weeks ago when it happened and there would be national outrage. But he was a small, nerdy boy and, as always, the fact he was bullied to death will go unnoticed once again.  

    Wake up media types and you will see that, (gasp!), small, nerdy weaker boys are being bullied to death and you don’t seem to care as much, just like you didn’t when you were in school.

Radio interview with Kim Iverson - 2010

President Hamre Radio Interview on "Your Time with Kim Iverson

Massachusetts and the height/weight bill...

   A year and a half ago,  I had the opportunity once again to testify in support of legislation to ban height discrimination in the workplace.  

   The bill was House Bill 1850, or H1850. Representative Byron Rushing of Massachusetts has been more than persistent in his efforts to get this bill pushed through.  I had this same opportunity in 2008; at that time it was House Bill H1844.

  

 It was a crowded room for this hearing on January 27^th, 2010.  However, unlike my 2008 testimony, there were different bills on the docket this day and there wasn’t much of a turnout for the short or overweight people. There were three taller women testifying in support of bill H1850, a woman by the name of Rebecca Puhl (who testified a couple of years ago about discrimination against the obese) and myself; that was the only representation I witnessed.. I was disappointed, not only in the turnout but the fact that this bill will probably get lost in the shuffle once again, as it probably did on that late January day amongst other, more pressing issues.

   I was talking to Byron Rushing’s aide about this bill, a nice young lady by the name of Tracy Choi. She seems to think the problem with this issue is not in the opposition but in the indifference; people just don’t care. I couldn’t agree more. This topic doesn’t receive enough attention. Along with that is the fact that advocates for the short and/or overweight just aren’t politically powerful enough to have an impact. Conversely, if you should be so inclined, pay attention to the bill in Massachusetts that, if passed, will ban discrimination in the workplace and beyond against the transgendered. There are many more sponsors to that bill (at least 100) than there are to H1850. Do they deserve more protection than we do? Or, is it that we need a bigger voice?

   I believe it is the latter and we need people to do more than complaining on the net and get out there and fight for protection!

Does being frustrated about being unfairly labeled with a complex mean I have a complex?

So, readers, if you haven't already figured it out, I am a short man. I guess I had better be careful with this post because if I come across too angry or frustrated with a certain issue, I will, of course be labeled with a Napoleonic complex or short man's syndrome or some other oppressive term from a heightist society to keep my short self in my place.

For instance, the other day (June 10^th I believe) on the MSNBC program Morning Joe with Joe Scarborough,  he made mention of Jon Stewart's anger and that he had a Napoleonic complex.  Then, yes, in the same segment mentions Bill O Reilly and that he has anger issues.  Yet, where is the label for Mr. O' Reilly?  Oh wait, Bill is 6'4" and I would imagine Mr. Scarborough is probably 6'0" or so himself and wouldn't't dare attach a label to a taller man getting angry.  See video for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaoRfgdD6ec

Of course, the response from the taller is that all dictators are short or some such; you know, just like Saddam Hussein was or Fidel Castro (both six footers) and let's not forget the evil man himself Bin Laden at 6'4".  Yet, they will always say Mussolini, Stalin, Hitler (who was average height and if memory serves wanted a race of tall, blonde hair, blue eyed people), Napoleon (who stood 5'6" at the turn of the 19^th century, average height in France at the time) and  Kim Jong Il (5'3" - about average again for a North Korean).

Isn't it amazing how everyone just assumes that these individuals ruled to compensate for their lack of height?  How do these people know that this was their thinking?  Were they asked?  Or did each one of them say "Hey, I am a short male and in order to compensate for what society views as a handicap, or inadequacy, on my part, I am going to take over my country and try to do the same with the world!"  Yet, in order to do those things, they would have to command loyalty and respect to accomplish that mission would they not?

Maybe people think we short men have something to compensate for because they (meaning society) view us as less than or not as capable. Short men don't view themselves this way, believe me.  We have to try harder because of how we are perceived and if we don't, we get overlooked and left behind. If it is on a basketball court, do the shorter players have to try harder to impress than the taller ones?   On the football field? In the workplace?  The answer to all these is? YES!.  Then, if we do so, we have a complex? How does that work?

 How many of you average sized people have been treated unfairly at any period in your lives?  Ever?  Had a sibling get his or her way and thought it was unfair to you?  Felt like you have been underpaid or under appreciated at work?  Been charged too much for a service?  Well, if you felt you were treated unfairly and responded to it, I guess that means that you also have a complex then or is it just human nature to be a little upset or hurt when you felt things didn't' go your way or you were cheated?  Oh, it's the latter now is it?  Hmmm...interesting.

Okay at what height does a complex begin? It seems that average height or taller people can get upset about unfair treatment, but if I, as a short man, get overcharged or underpaid in the work place and say that it is wrong or unfair, it is a complex! Is there some rule? Such as any man over 5'9" is free to act aggressive and angry but 5'8" and under, it must be a syndrome of some sort.

Oh I'd better stop my sms (short man syndrome) is starting to show because I am expressing my frustrations...lol.  

Are two inches in height worth the price?

 So, you have a child who is short but healthy, (such as constitutional delay or idiopathic short stature) would you pay to increase his/her height?  If so,  how much would you fork over?  Is the sky the limit?  Would you pay say $10,000 per inch of height? $20,000? How about $30,000?   


 What if I were to tell you that an increase in height for two inches will probably cost you $100,000? Would that give you pause?  This is how much pharmaceutical companies charge for growth hormone for children who are short but healthy.  an average of $20,000/year.
                                  
   Now,  you also have to take into account the fact that there are risks of side effects;  Leukemia, diabetes, heart disease, oversized bones.  Still considering it?  Another caveat, the pediatric endocrinologist can’t guarantee any height increase at all or, if there is one, how can they prove it is a result of growth hormone injections and not natural growth?


 You may also consider the fact that your child, who, though short, is not suffering from an actual growth hormone deficiency.   If his ample supply of HGH isn’t helping the growth process, why would injecting your child with more of what he already has matter?

 
 Something else interesting:  Since the average height of a woman in the US is 5’4”, when she decides to put them heels on she is 5’6” or 5’7” and they usually want a man a couple of inches taller than that.  So, a man of 5’9” or 5’10” would be the minimum height allowable.  So, even if  your child does grow a couple of inches past his projected height…maybe will end up being 5’6” or 5’7”…the average, vain woman will look the other way…and let’s not get into the job market.


How telling it is on how short people are viewed, especially short males, that parents are willing to fork over mountains of cash for the slim hope their child will grow, maybe, two more inches at the end of their growth cycle.


 One more thing parents:   Giving your child growth hormone can also, likely speed up the pubertal process, which will mean that  their bones will fuse together sooner and therefore robbing him or her of a year or two of growth. Thought I would toss that in.  Still worth it?

To wear or not wear lifts

April 20, 2009

The other day, I ran across an article on the internet about Scarlett Johansson, the rather petite actress.  Apparently, she has recently lost a little weight.  I was amazed how people were saying that she may be now suffering from an eating disorder because of her petite frame. Yet, if she were to add on a few pounds, she would be blasted for being overweight.  It seems that society just can’t get out of its own way. No matter what, they will criticize you. At the same time, they will tell you to accept yourself for who you are.


This made me think of another situation which just frustrates me as a short man to no end.  If a short man dates a woman his own size and she decides to wear heels when they go out, she will now be three or four inches taller.  People observing this will now gawk and laugh at the couple, uttering things like “She should be with someone taller or he should be with someone shorter ,” or “He’s only dating her because of his complex” even though w/o her heels they are the same height.  Now, let’s take the same situation and give the man some lifts in his shoes, so that they are now the same height. What do we get now?  “Hey, look at that man; he is wearing lifts in his shoes…ha! Ha! How funny!  He must have a complex!”   Damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t right?  Yet, a woman wearing heels is sexy and she is adored, even though she is also trying to increase her height. Funny, shouldn’t it be the man that needs the height, since he is the one who will be mocked because of his short stature?  I personally would never go out and buy lifts for my shoes, so that the insecure, vain people in society could then accept me or so that I look better for a job interview.


Here I live in a society that tells me to be confident in who I am (oh no, if I do that, that is also a complex for a short man to be confident) and accept myself and so will others.  Then, no matter what I do, I get criticized for doing just that.


 I guess if you don’t meet society’s definition of an acceptable appearance then you should change it.   Take growth hormone, lengthen your limbs, have lipo, gastric bypass, go on a diet, eat more, get Botox, increase your breast size, dye your hair, cut your hair, don’t go bald,  drive an SUV, take public transportation so you don’t pollute the air.  Does just reading that drive you crazy?


When society can get out of its own way, make up its damn mind about what is and what isn’t acceptable, then maybe I will listen…lol.  Until then, I will tell society to mind its own damn business and instead of focusing on my physical attributes, maybe society should focus on pulling its head out of its own, judgmental ass.   Then maybe people will be free to be themselves without having to listen to a bunch of insignificant, insecure people criticizing them; people who are far from perfection themselves.

Accepting yourself and other people…what a novel idea! 

Short Guys Shouldn't Wait Tables ...

Congratulations go out to Dustin Pedroia, American League MVP for 2008.  In addition to winning this award, he also won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award.

Dustin Pedroia stands about 5'9" and plays 2B for the Red Sox.  He also won Rookie of the Year in 2007, as well as a World Series championship. 

Yet, many sports commentators can't seem to just give him credit without eluding to his stature and making a joke of it.  Tony Reali of "Around the Horn" on ESPN called him the "little jockey".  Ben Maller of Fox Sports Radio couldn't help but say that "he doesn't look like a baseball player, he looks like he should be waiting tables." Well, apparently not Mr Maller.

Pedroia isn't the only undersized guy (though he is 5'9...average height I might add) in sports to win a MVP award.  David Eckstein of the Blue Jays won 2006 World Series MVP, has appeared in two all star games and has two World Series rings, along with being very tough to strike out and stands 5'6".  Emmitt Smith, NFL's all time rushing leader, is 5'9", has three Super Bowl rings, a Super Bowl MVP award, 1990 Rookie of the year, NFL MVP in 1993, and named to the 1990's all decade team.  Sharing that all decade team honor with him is 5'8" Barry Sanders, who won the Heisman in 1988, was rookie of the year in the NFL in 1989, won an MVP in 1997 and, if not retiring prematurely after the 1998 season, would no doubt be the NFL's all time leading rusher and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.  This playing behind the horrible offensive line of the Detroit Lions.     

Last year, Wes Welker of the Patriots (5'9") led the league in receptions and let's not overlook Leon Washington  (5'7") of the Jets and Darren Sproles  (5'6") of the Chargers; both important parts of their respective teams in the running/return game.

If these guys belong waiting tables, maybe all the taller, mediocre players should be busboys and dishwashers then.         

NPR Article Citing Taller Discrimination In Sports.... are you kidding?

On August 15th, 2007, Frank Deford, a contributor to Morning Editon on National Public Radio and an acclaimed sportwriter, wrote the following piece:

Click Here.

After reading this article, I was confused. Let me first begin at the end of the article. Mr. Deford claims that, apparently, it is their (their being the taller..he is 6'4") ordained right to rule and they are so good at it. This came on the heels of his complaining that the shorter guys are ruling and that there is "gross discrimination" against the taller in sports among the coaching ranks.. What?

I am willing to bet that guys who are shorter coaches, like Lawrence Frank, coach of the Nets, probably had to work a lot harder than a taller coach just to get where he is. Perhaps Mr.Deford should be giving them credit instead of crying foul that a taller coach isn't in that positon. Perhaps that sense of entitlement mentality that Mr. Deford is exhibiting is widespread among the taller and that may make them more lackadasical in their approach. Could you imagine if he had stated that "white men should rule because it is their ordained right to do so."? What a statement of lunacy! People should rule as a reward for their hard work not by their appearance.

Now, let's address the "gross discrimination" issue. Can Mr. Deford honestly claim that their is discrimnation against the tall in sports. You have to be kidding! How many short guys are given a chance in the four major sports? You can probably count them on your ten fingers! Any QBs under 6'0"? If you are under that size in any one of the major sports, you are "undersized" or "small". Mr. Deford is right, there is "gross discrimination" in sports but not against the taller...please!

He states, earlier in his rant that because we are shorter, we are losing to other countries in basketball, then later says that the guards are as tall as the centers were twenty years ago. So, which is it Mr. Deford, are we getting taller or shorter, I am confused? I am quite certain that our last Olympic team was the tallest team of any in the Olympics. Yet, the gold medalists were from Argentina, are they taller than we? Once again, Mr. Deford doesn't point to the real problem.

These guys now don't work as hard as the "Dream Team" of 1992. They have a sense of entitlement and think it's their right to be there. That is the problem with many of these pro athletes nowadays. Of course the shorter ones can't act that way, they have to work their asses off to prove themselves every day or they will lose their position to a taller, lazier individual.