Kiruna Stamell

Dear Comic Relief,

You let me down tonight! Why?! Because I have dwarfism!

It might surprise you to know but I was still a dwarf when I was a child. I was bullied then as I am bullied now by strangers on the street who make negative remarks and shout at me from cars.

Tonight, was meant to be about promoting anti bullying and helping the children, raising money for a good cause. If you don’t mean it, don’t do it.

Tonight, I saw a side of you that was shallow and ignorant. I saw offensive gags and skits that merely objectified and dehumanised people with dwarfism.

Comic Relief, you were doing so well with the Great British Bake Off with Warwick and Ellie… and then…

Tonight, we were dehumanised and ridiculed for sport and to inflate the egos of celebrities. All dressed up as an act of charity, for children they pity today but feel happy to call ‘midgets’ tomorrow.

People with dwarfism were made to be made less than human on Comic Relief tonight. Where was the positive and empowering representation of difference on the BBC this evening? Where was the hope for a child with dwarfism watching?

I have worked for the BBC in both production and as an actress and tonight you let me down massively.

Some of those children you are raising money for will have dwarfism. If you want to make the world better for children, adopt a healthy attitude to difference yourself and realise it is people you are talking about …

There is no such thing as a ‘midget’, unless you are talking about the candy… then that is ok!*

Have a think about it,

Kiruna Stamell

*I’ll let you keep the candy because it is candy and not a person you a demeaning with dehumanising labels.

Midget is not a medically accepted term. It was invented by the freak show for the promotion of dwarfs put on display in these shows. It derives from the word ‘midge’ as in the fly. To many people living with dwarfism is a word commonly used to abuse them in public spaces and forums as it is dehumanizing and labeling.

@BBCR2ZoeBall ‘midget’ gag on @comicrelief I have Dwarfism. I thought you were promoting anti bullying. #comicrelief