Petition 2013
Petition Fort McDowell Casino To Remove “Midget” From Extreme “Midget” Wrestling
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION!
March 21, 2014
Attn: Tom McGill – Director of Marketing
Fort McDowell Casino Events
10424 N Fort McDowell Rd
Fort McDowell, AZ 85264
Dear Mr. McGill,
My name is Gaill Blackburn and I am the Chapter President for the Valley of the Sun Chapter of Little People of America (LPA). LPA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with dwarfism throughout their lives while celebrating with great pride Little People’s contribution to social diversity. LPA strives to bring solutions & global awareness to the prominent issues affecting individuals of short stature & their families.
Our Local Chapter has over two hundred family members who attend events as well as frequent your facility from time to time (average-height as well as short-statured individuals). Little People work tirelessly to rise above negative stereotypes and prove that they are equals in society. They are doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, etc., and should be treated with utmost respect – just as everyone else – no more, no less.
Little People and their families throughout the Valley were slapped in the face by the Fort McDowell Casino television commercials that barraged the airwaves promoting the 08/10/13 “Extreme Midget Wrestling“. Imagine if you were that LP professional who worked twice as hard your entire career only to be humiliated when your peers viewed those indignant commercials, obliterating everything you worked so hard for.
Over 80% of children with dwarfism have average-height parents. I myself am the average-height mom of a 16-yr old with dwarfism. Arizona has had an influx of dwarf babies as of recent. Imagine if you were that new parent who was scared and unsure of their child’s future and viewed those absurd commercials, leaving you awake every night wondering if that was the only future your own child would have.
Attached you will find our Petition for the Fort McDowell Casino to remove the word MIDGET out of Extreme Midget Wrestling. I pray you will take our appeal to heart and realize the harm you are causing local little people and their families, (as well as patrons of your establishment), with the continued use of this word. We understand that the wrestlers use the term, but you can make the conscious choice to eliminate that word from all your advertising. How would you feel if a little person not affiliated with this group was picked up, tossed, and harmed? It has happened – resulting in broken bones, paralysis, etc… Lives and families that were forever ruined… I implore you to not perpetuate the ignorance.
Thanks in advance for your consideration.
Gaill Blackburn – Valley of the Sun LPA Chapter President