When the media announced on Friday, March 16 the cancellation of "The Rosie Show," the news wasn't that surprising. Considering that Rosie O'Donnell had already reported she was moving to New York, and that other media stories had reported on turmoil behind the scenes on "The Rosie Show," official cancellation of the show seemed the next logical step.
The cancellation has inspired a new wave of posts on social media by people of short stature. One man who, after O'Donnell made her disparaging remarks about little people back in February, created a petition that called on the Oprah Winfrey Network to cancel the show, posted a message that thanked the hundreds of people who signed the petition. Others who spoke out against O'Donnell over youtube thanked the people who showed them support. Most people who commented on social media indicated that they were very pleased with the news by "liking" the media stories on the cancellation that were posted on Facebook.
I am not disappointed by the news of the show's demise. I don't feel bad for O'Donnell. My guess is that she didn't like living in Chicago and she wasn't happy working on "The Rosie Show." She is probably pleased to put the show behind her. Though the cancellation and the negative reports of what happened behind the scenes on "The Rosie Show" will tarnish her reputation, I am sure O'Donnell will pick up the pieces and will continue to have a successful career in entertainment.
Nevertheless, I am hesitant to click the "like" button on Facebook stories about the cancellation. Despite the petition by the one individual member of the dwarfism community, I never, and Little People of America never, wanted O'Donnell's show to be cancelled. We wanted her to recognize the damage that her comments about and her attitude toward the short statured community could have on people with dwarfism. We wanted her to make a real apology for what she did, and to engage in a real discussion about dwarfism. Few will say that her so-called "apology" late in February would suffice. With that in mind, there is a bit of 'comeuppance' and karma around the cancellation. But I would have much rather been a contributor to the forces that made her show better in the long run, than be one of the many who kick her on her way out the door. Because some day, another door will open for O'Donnell. I just hope she uses her next opportunity to build bridges, rather than walls.
Common Ground: Commentary from the far side of Chicago
Showing posts with label Rosie O'Donnell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rosie O'Donnell. Show all posts
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
The next move
Earlier this week, my friend asked me about Little People of America's efforts around the recent Rosie O'Donnell issue. Joking, I told him that LPA's efforts had driven O'Donnell from Chicago. Last week, the Chicago Tribune reported both that O'Donnell's show, "The Rosie Show," was having problems with ratings, guests, and management, and that O'Donnell put her Chicago home up for sale. Interestingly, in this housing slump, while many homes for sale have sat on the market for months, if not years, O'Donnell's home found a buyer in just one day. For a moment, my friend believed that LPA may actually have influenced O'Donnell's decision to leave Chicago.
Of course, LPA had nothing to do with the decision. But nevertheless, I believe the dwarfism community should be proud of the way it responded to the February 8th "Rosie Show."
Hundreds of people reacted to the negative message about dwarfism that were sent by O'Donnell and Handler on February 8th. Expressing outrage directly to O'Donnell, people sent emails, posted on Facebook, and produced youtube videos. In addition to individuals acting independently, the community also called for a unified message from Little People of America, which was delivered by Leah Smith in an Open Letter to O'Donnell. Whether it was in response to the volume of messages O'Donnell received, or one particular message that resonated with O'Donnell, she decided to address the issue on her show. She invited a little person named Chris Errera to appear on her show on February 29. On the show, O'Donnell delivered an apology and she talked about the issue with Errera.
Though O'Donnell gave the dwarfism community what it wanted, an apology and an open discussion about her 'discomfort' with little people, the majority of little people who watched the show seem to be unsatisfied with her response. Writing on Facebook after the February 29th show, people said things like 'too little, too late,' and that her apology didn't address the real issue of her biased behavior toward little people. I agreed with the sentiments and posted a blog on the Huffington Post. This post didn't generate much response among Huffington Post readers. Of the six people who wrote comments, only one supported the post. The others thought I should get over it, or wondered why I was making such a big deal if O'Donnell had already apologized.
But I think it was important to respond. O'Donnell did indeed apology. But she didn't apologize for what she did, and what she said. She apologized for making people feel bad. Her apology and her discussion with Errera never addressed the real reason that some many people were upset, the fact that she objectified and dehumanized the entire community of people of short stature.
Though we didn't get the apology we wanted, and though we have nothing to do with O'Donnell leaving Chicago and her show failing, the dwarfism community should be proud of what we accomplished. We forced O'Donnell to respond. Just as important, we came together as a community in a strong, unified way. Though it won't be easy to come together like that again, what happened with O'Donnell shows that, if we do come together, as a community, we have incredible potential.
Of course, LPA had nothing to do with the decision. But nevertheless, I believe the dwarfism community should be proud of the way it responded to the February 8th "Rosie Show."
Hundreds of people reacted to the negative message about dwarfism that were sent by O'Donnell and Handler on February 8th. Expressing outrage directly to O'Donnell, people sent emails, posted on Facebook, and produced youtube videos. In addition to individuals acting independently, the community also called for a unified message from Little People of America, which was delivered by Leah Smith in an Open Letter to O'Donnell. Whether it was in response to the volume of messages O'Donnell received, or one particular message that resonated with O'Donnell, she decided to address the issue on her show. She invited a little person named Chris Errera to appear on her show on February 29. On the show, O'Donnell delivered an apology and she talked about the issue with Errera.
Though O'Donnell gave the dwarfism community what it wanted, an apology and an open discussion about her 'discomfort' with little people, the majority of little people who watched the show seem to be unsatisfied with her response. Writing on Facebook after the February 29th show, people said things like 'too little, too late,' and that her apology didn't address the real issue of her biased behavior toward little people. I agreed with the sentiments and posted a blog on the Huffington Post. This post didn't generate much response among Huffington Post readers. Of the six people who wrote comments, only one supported the post. The others thought I should get over it, or wondered why I was making such a big deal if O'Donnell had already apologized.
But I think it was important to respond. O'Donnell did indeed apology. But she didn't apologize for what she did, and what she said. She apologized for making people feel bad. Her apology and her discussion with Errera never addressed the real reason that some many people were upset, the fact that she objectified and dehumanized the entire community of people of short stature.
Though we didn't get the apology we wanted, and though we have nothing to do with O'Donnell leaving Chicago and her show failing, the dwarfism community should be proud of what we accomplished. We forced O'Donnell to respond. Just as important, we came together as a community in a strong, unified way. Though it won't be easy to come together like that again, what happened with O'Donnell shows that, if we do come together, as a community, we have incredible potential.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Rosie O'Donnell to speak publicly about her fear of little people
Several weeks after the February 8 interview on "The Rosie Show" between Rosie O'Donnell and Chelsea Handler, an interview about little people that outraged thousands in the dwarfism community, Rosie O'Donnell announced that on the February 29 episode of "The Rosie Show" she would address the comments that were made about what she claims is a fear of little people. She will address the comments during a conversation with Chris Errera. Errera is one of the many little people who responded directly to O'Donnell and Handler after the February 8 show. Errera delivered his comments in a youtube video. Errera is a musician from the Chicago area.
It seems most people are cautiously optimistic about the February 29 show. While its hard to argue that O'Donnell is not doing the right thing by publicly responding to anger that she generated as a result of her perceived intolerance toward little people, people are very anxious about what she might say on February 29. While a public apology would be nice, many people are posting on Facebook and in other venues that, more than an apology, O'Donnell needs to initiate a dialogue that undoes some of the misinformation about dwarfism that was delivered on the February 8th episode of "The Rosie Show." Speaking of O'Donnell, my friend Monica Karpfinger wrote this on her Facebook page, "" Karpfinger makes a good point. The real damage to the community on February 8th was not the revelation that O'Donnell has a supposed fear of little people. That would have just been a silly joke that may have gotten a laugh or two from the audience. Though a statement like that is discouraging, O'Donnell isn't the only comedian to make such a stupid joke. As Karpfinger suggests, the real damage, and what deserves an apology, was how O'Donnell dealt with her so-called fear.
For O'Donnell's sake, for Errera's sake, and for the sake of the dwarfism community, I hope the February 29th episode of "The Rosie Show" offers a thoughtful, honest, and objective conversation on dwarfism. While such a conversation may not repair all the damage done on February 8th, it will at least show that O'Donnell wants to take a bad situation and make it right. If, after February 29, it is clear that O'Donnell has not made an honest effort to repair her wrongs, then, whether O'Donnell likes it or not, I am sure she will continue to hear from the dwarfism community. And rightly so.
It seems most people are cautiously optimistic about the February 29 show. While its hard to argue that O'Donnell is not doing the right thing by publicly responding to anger that she generated as a result of her perceived intolerance toward little people, people are very anxious about what she might say on February 29. While a public apology would be nice, many people are posting on Facebook and in other venues that, more than an apology, O'Donnell needs to initiate a dialogue that undoes some of the misinformation about dwarfism that was delivered on the February 8th episode of "The Rosie Show." Speaking of O'Donnell, my friend Monica Karpfinger wrote this on her Facebook page, "" Karpfinger makes a good point. The real damage to the community on February 8th was not the revelation that O'Donnell has a supposed fear of little people. That would have just been a silly joke that may have gotten a laugh or two from the audience. Though a statement like that is discouraging, O'Donnell isn't the only comedian to make such a stupid joke. As Karpfinger suggests, the real damage, and what deserves an apology, was how O'Donnell dealt with her so-called fear.
For O'Donnell's sake, for Errera's sake, and for the sake of the dwarfism community, I hope the February 29th episode of "The Rosie Show" offers a thoughtful, honest, and objective conversation on dwarfism. While such a conversation may not repair all the damage done on February 8th, it will at least show that O'Donnell wants to take a bad situation and make it right. If, after February 29, it is clear that O'Donnell has not made an honest effort to repair her wrongs, then, whether O'Donnell likes it or not, I am sure she will continue to hear from the dwarfism community. And rightly so.
Monday, February 20, 2012
phobia is the new bigotry
Nearly two weeks ago, on February 8, Rosie O'Donnell interviewed Chelsea Handler on The Rosie Show. In the interview, O'Donnell confessed a fear, or a discomfort with, little people. She confessed to Handler because of Handler's familiarity with little people. She works with one on the talk show "Chelsea Lately" and on the sit-com "Are You There, Chelsea?" After the confession, the conversation that followed both infantalized and dehumanized little people. The reaction to the insulting conversation was stronger and larger than when Representative Ritch Workman introduced HB #4063 (the bill that would have repealed a ban on dwarf tossing in Florida). Many people have posted video responses, have contacted O'Donnell through Twitter and Facebook, and have sent a message to O'Donnell through the media. The overwhelming majority of the messages have been critical of O'Donnell, not just for confessing her fear, but for using the confession as a vehicle to exploit the differences between people of short stature and others, and to exacerbate stereotypes directed at people of short stature. Along with all the others, I got into the act. I posted messages on her Facebook and Twitter page. I even posted a Huffington Post blog.
Most people who speak out are asking for one of two things. They ask that O'Donnell issue a public apology, or that she hold a second conversation about dwarfism on her show, one that includes a little person and one that addresses the misconceptions that she created in the conversation with Handler. O'Donnell has issued a few apologies, both over Twitter. Though I believe Twitter is considered public, I don't think a Twitter apology is what most people had in mind. While media coverage hasn't been overwhelming, the coverage that does exist has portrayed people with dwarfism as a strong, united community. More importantly, the media coverage has listened to what was said by the community and has correctly communicated what the community has said. This could be a great help for the community in the future. Because of the media reaction, whether O'Donnell apologizes again or not, or if she addresses the issue again on a future show, chances are the media will continue to listen the dwarfism community in the future.
I believe that many times on this blog I have written the disclaimer, "I am not a sociologist." In this entry, I will add the disclaimer, I am not a researcher. I am just a blogger. But from my blogger point of view, I believe that O'Donnell's comments are indicative of a community wide transition in terms of superficial reactions to people with dwarfism. Over the past few decades, the overall population has been bombarded with a lot of information about dwarfism. Within that information has been the message that the m-word is unacceptable as well as the message that people with dwarfism, while physically different, have the right to be treated as others are treated. As a result, outright discrimination against or exploitation of little people simply because of their difference is generally not acceptable. Entertainers as well as members of the general public can no longer as easily get away with poking fun at or objectifying people of short stature because of their physical difference. With the decline in exploitation of people of short stature, there has been a rise of 'phobia' toward people of short stature. Just today, on my way to get a haircut, a woman cowered against the side of the building when she saw me, explaining to her companions that I scared her or freaked her out. I get the 'phobia' reaction much more than I did 10 or 20 years ago. It is my hypothesis that people have fallen back on the phobia reaction because outright ridicule of the community is no longer as acceptable as it once was.
My hypothesis is only based upon two observations. The first is that, according to my wife, no such dwarf phobia exists in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The second is that I've never witnessed or heard of anyone express or display a so called phobia when he or she is alone. The so called phobia has only manifested itself within individuals who are around their friends, peers or colleagues. This leads me to believe that, because bigotry against little people will be frowned upon, the phobia is a vehicle to get a reaction out of, and to get attention from, their friends and peers.
But who knows, perhaps O'Donnell does have some issues. But even if she does, the dwarfism community deserves better from someone who claims to be a champion of inclusion.
Most people who speak out are asking for one of two things. They ask that O'Donnell issue a public apology, or that she hold a second conversation about dwarfism on her show, one that includes a little person and one that addresses the misconceptions that she created in the conversation with Handler. O'Donnell has issued a few apologies, both over Twitter. Though I believe Twitter is considered public, I don't think a Twitter apology is what most people had in mind. While media coverage hasn't been overwhelming, the coverage that does exist has portrayed people with dwarfism as a strong, united community. More importantly, the media coverage has listened to what was said by the community and has correctly communicated what the community has said. This could be a great help for the community in the future. Because of the media reaction, whether O'Donnell apologizes again or not, or if she addresses the issue again on a future show, chances are the media will continue to listen the dwarfism community in the future.
I believe that many times on this blog I have written the disclaimer, "I am not a sociologist." In this entry, I will add the disclaimer, I am not a researcher. I am just a blogger. But from my blogger point of view, I believe that O'Donnell's comments are indicative of a community wide transition in terms of superficial reactions to people with dwarfism. Over the past few decades, the overall population has been bombarded with a lot of information about dwarfism. Within that information has been the message that the m-word is unacceptable as well as the message that people with dwarfism, while physically different, have the right to be treated as others are treated. As a result, outright discrimination against or exploitation of little people simply because of their difference is generally not acceptable. Entertainers as well as members of the general public can no longer as easily get away with poking fun at or objectifying people of short stature because of their physical difference. With the decline in exploitation of people of short stature, there has been a rise of 'phobia' toward people of short stature. Just today, on my way to get a haircut, a woman cowered against the side of the building when she saw me, explaining to her companions that I scared her or freaked her out. I get the 'phobia' reaction much more than I did 10 or 20 years ago. It is my hypothesis that people have fallen back on the phobia reaction because outright ridicule of the community is no longer as acceptable as it once was.
My hypothesis is only based upon two observations. The first is that, according to my wife, no such dwarf phobia exists in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The second is that I've never witnessed or heard of anyone express or display a so called phobia when he or she is alone. The so called phobia has only manifested itself within individuals who are around their friends, peers or colleagues. This leads me to believe that, because bigotry against little people will be frowned upon, the phobia is a vehicle to get a reaction out of, and to get attention from, their friends and peers.
But who knows, perhaps O'Donnell does have some issues. But even if she does, the dwarfism community deserves better from someone who claims to be a champion of inclusion.
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