I have absolutely no idea how I feel about this: China’s dwarf theme park

[HopeHoops]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35701810/ns/world_news-the_new_york_times/

China’s dwarf theme park: A ‘zoo’ or ‘fairy tale’?

KUNMING, China - Chen Mingjing’s entrepreneurial instincts vaulted him from a peasant upbringing to undreamed-of wealth, acquired in ventures ranging from making electric meters to investing in real estate. But when he was 44, the allure of making money for money’s sake began to wane. He wanted to run a business that accomplished some good.

And so last September, Mr. Chen did what any socially aware entrepreneur might do: He opened a theme park of dwarfs, charging tourists about $9 a head to watch dozens of dwarfs in pink tutus perform a slapstick version of “Swan Lake” along with other skits.

...

“I think it is horrible,” said Gary Arnold, the spokesman for Little People of America Inc., a dwarfism support group based in California. “What is the difference between it and a zoo?” Even the term “dwarf” is offensive to some; his organization prefers “person of short stature.”

...

Mr. Chen asserts he has won support from no less than the United Nations World Peace Foundation. He displays a certificate designating his company, Yunnan Jiucai Yundie Biotech Ltd., as the “Charity Base Camp” for Kunming, the nearest city.

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MUCH more at link.

The entire story is worth a read. It seems to be a "love it" or "hate it" thing, but I'm just at a loss for an opinion right now.

[Peregrine Took]

1. I know a woman who is a dwarf and she has had a very hard life.

Its bad enough to be so very different and have to look for work, do all the things we do every day and don't think twice about it like getting things out of the cabinets, or doing the wash, etc. Then you get to be the butt of jokes to your face and behind your back.
Pretty rough...

[HopeHoops]

2. Yeah, that's part of my confusion with the story. They sort of imply they like the park.

Part of it is because they are with other people facing the same challenges.

I'm not all that tall and my wife is under 5'. Even at OUR heights there are so many things that are just out of reach - especially at a grocery store. It must be a royal pain in the ass when you're as short as they are. It certainly isn't something to make fun of, but I know people do. It is hard to tell sometimes if it is out of simple ignorance or pure malice.

[KamaAina]

4. My favorite person of short stature enjoys being alive more than anyone I know.

Then again, she's got the work thing covered (professor!). True, she did have to take the stacked washer-dryer thing into consideration when house-hunting recently...

[KamaAina]

3. Is there even a "United Nations World Peace Foundation"?

I can't seem to find it. Even if there is, this is still an EPIC FAIL for people of short stature.

Don't you know, I just saw a Simpsons rerun last night in which Moe meets a woman online who turns out to be of short staure -- and eventually rejects him. I can relate...