1. I do not understand the relevance of what does or doesn't go on in the U.S. to this discussion.
2. 'Voluntarily' traveling to work and live in the Dwarf Empire is not entirely voluntary, as an above message itself: the message mentions how poorly small people are treated when applying for other jobs - i.e., the problem is one of establishing a level playing field in the society itself - dwarf kingdoms etc. are merely escapes, which increase the public attitude that these people are a globally 'special' group who can perform cuddly roles, etc., for tourist amusement, and can't do anything else.
In response to Alien's July 29 post, I wonder how he sees the difference between the Dwarf Kingdom and Kunming's Minorities Village? Do people go to the Minorities Village to admire, or is it to gawk at "those people's weird dress / dwellings / actions," or something in between? To be titillated or educated?
There is no reason to discriminate against anyone of small stature because of their size IF they have skills that allow them to do another job. Perhaps this is the biggest part of the problem, that most of them do not have significantly marketable skills (for various reasons that are not part of this argument), and is what relegates them to crappy employment opportunities, be it tending cattle in the countryside or dancing in tutus in the Dwarf Kingdom. What is significant is that there are heaps of others with this same limitation, lack of education or training, BUT those "normal" folks don't stick out the same way as short people with similar limitations...they blend into society and are relatively invisible to us because of their "normality." I don't think they have it any better than the short people, maybe worse in some ways. Do they have a chance to go to a Dwarf Kingdom to find work? No, instead they might turn to prostitution, theft or other less savory things than dancing in a tutu.
Introduce me an educated, competent person whose values I respect and I will hire them, be friends with them, etc. any day, regardless of size, skin color, gender, nationality, religion. I have respect for the person who made the hard choice to find the best possible avenue, even if the Dwarf Kingdom, and is working to improve their life by their own hands and mind.
If we all boycott the Dwarf Kingdom, what will happen to those working there now? Will those who think the place is evil step up and do something positive to assist these newly unemployed people? Will you give you time to train them in some employable skill? Teach them English for free? Offer them a roof over their heads? Will you modify your home or place of business to accommodate their short stature (as has been done at the Kingdom)? It isn't perfect but I can imagine far worse fates for them.
Before this thread gets shut down for all the usual reasons, will some one please tell me if this place is still in operation.
@GB
The only thing slightly helpful I could find online was a flyer (maybe years old) for The Hump. It said they arranged tours to the Dwarf Kingdom.
Maybe they will know of contact details at least, even though they may be outdated.
China_Stew, I'm not sure what difference between Dwarf Empire & Minorities Village you are talking about, but I think they're pretty much the same.
@Alien...
The Minorities Village being the place off Dianchi Rd. where there are tiny ethnic villages set up and people (I assume they are from the ethnic minority) dress up, do shows and so on. I imagine some of them feel some sort of discrimination due to their ethnic background (likely tied to lack of educational opportunities in the hinterlands), but of course nothing like the short people experience.
Does going to see recreations of purported minority lifestyles and so on demean them? Do those working there demean themselves by doing such work?
Anyway, a different shade along the equality / inequality continuum.
I guess the line thinking in this thread would lead one to conclude that the NBA is demeaning to tall Black dudes.
Poor guys are recruited because they are tall ball players and are forced contractually, to exhibit, near naked in scanty clothing, their speed, agility, ball handling and shooting skills so teams and TV networks can profit from their physical deformity.
Much better they remain on intercity playgrounds, poor, jobless, but free of exploitation.
Basketball players play a game that people like to watch. Being tall is an advantage in this game.
People performing at ethnic/dwarf tourist sites present their identities according to instructions from those who control them economically in a manner that panders to popular, often demeaning misconceptions of who they are as human beings.
Most of us live in the real world, not some PC utopia. In the Kingdom of the Dwarves, the one eyed alien is just as blind.
@Alien
Hard to argue your points. Your preconceived notions roll out of your PC trained mind with no thought of the folks you wish to save from their fate. I think you ought to do a little research rather than just espouse unrealistic positions.
Sometimes, people who can take advantage of the hand they have been dealt become NBA stars. Others maximize their situation by becoming actors. Both pander to the crowd and both present, whatever attributes and skills they possess, to their own benefit and the profit of others.
Somehow, you have decided the dwarf is not worthy of employment you have chosen to characterize as demeaning.
I am quite glad you are not making life decisions for me.
