Should dwarf throwing competition be banned?
In the class on Thursday, we heard that in Australia people could see dwarfs being thrown from one side of the bar to the other by muscled Aussies. We had a heated debate about whether human rights activists had the right in banning these activities. In my opinion, they should ban these macabre activities.
I have two reasons to go against these activities. Firstly, dwarf throwing competition violates human rights of equality for dwarfs. It is widely acknowledged that we are all born equal, and nobody has the rights to give other people subhuman status. The physically disability of dwarfs is not something should be made fun of. Therefore, dwarfs should not be regarded as toys thrown back and forth. Secondly, this phenomenon will harm the harmony of society. If the dwarf throwing competition is allowed to go on without limitation, people may form a thought that it is all right to discriminate against certain people. Thus the value of society will go wrong. Therefore, this is not just a business between the players and the dwarfs. As members of society, we should consider the bad results it will cause in society and wisely avoid a worse situation.
Some people think dwarf throwing competition should not be banned because the two sides of the game were all willing to do this, and other people had no rights to decide what is right and wrong for them, but I do not think so. Firstly, this game is not just the business of players and dwarfs, but also involve the harmony of society, as I have said above. Therefore, other sensible people do have the rights to judge and take action. Secondly, the reason why those dwarfs were willing to sell their dignity for money and fame was that they were unaware that they had equality of human rights and dignity. However, we educated people are aware of that, so we should help them instead of standing away. There is a similar example to this case: in old China, many women sold their body for money. After the foundation of new China, government gathered them and educated them, thus giving them a chance to live a new life. The government did not say it was their willingness to do that and thus stand by. Similarly, for those dwarfs, people with conscience are sensible to take actions to ban the macabre game.
In conclusion, human rights activists are right in having the dwarf throwing competition banned.
I agree with you. Someone may say that if we ban this game, the dwarf may live a worse life. But actually they can find a way out, I think, because there are so many kinds of work, it does not matter we ban one of the thousands of jobs.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I disagree. In the first place, this game is just like a kind of acrobatism, it is one person's right to choose this career,either a normal person or a dwarf. In the second place, this game is just for fun, but not showing that other people are looking down upon the dwarfs.Chaplin used to preform like a fool to bring laughter to audience, while no body look down upon him. Thirdly, the dwarfs are taking their efforts to earn money; they are showing that they can also make money by themselves. Insteadly, if the society give them financial help, some dwarfs may feel they are not respected as a normal person because the sociaty do not believe they could earn money themselves. In addition, the dwarfs are under protection in this game, they will not get hurt easily. So, regarding to respect their right of choosing their job, I do not think the game should be banned.
ReplyDeleteDear Chen Zhe
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this entry concerning an aspect of human rights which I am sure you feel very strongly about.
You have my utmost support.
My understanding of Dwarfs is that they are human beings whose growth hormones, most unfortunately do not function normally. As such, they should be people whom other people should view with compassion and tender loving care should circumstances dictate.
To me, people who enjoy watching these 'dwarf throwing competitions' (worse, if they are the participants) should have their heads (and hearts) examined.
PS Could you 'double-check' your conclusion?
Wilson
I may not agree with you. I think we should only regard it as a game but nothing else. Dwarfs who are thrown in the game are participants who have same fun as those players who throw them. And some of dwarfs even gain reputations from other people through the game as is mentioned in the reading material. Besides, dwarfs earn much money to support livings which is their right that others can not take away.
ReplyDeleteFrankly speaking, I cannot agree with you. Though it violates human rights of the dwarf, dwarfs can make a living by performing this. Sometimes it is very difficult to change what people are accustomed to. Furthermore, it is not a good idea to put all your eggs in the basket of our government. Dwarfs need to survive, and human's right to survive is the basis for other rights.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed a competitive argument...I still hold my opinion that people can make their own choice. They can choose to be thrown and make a living or not, so it's nothing about human right.
ReplyDelete