Posted on 03/03/2013 12:04:56 AM PST by nickcarraway
Cains Pickles removes a derogatory term from its labels after a mother’s protests. An average day at the grocery store for Rhode Island mom, Michelle Martinka, turned into a moment of activism when she noticed that Cains Pickles, a popular New England brand, produced a line called “Kosher Dill Midgets.”
Martinka is the mother of ten-month-old Adelaide, a little girl with a form of dwarfism known as Achondroplasia—and “midget” is a derogatory way of referencing those born with the condition.
In response, Martinka waged a peaceful protest, which included the above YouTube video, urging the company to change the name of its product—and so it did, gracefully, without objection or fanfare.
Gedney Foods, the makers of Cains Pickles, explained to the Star Tribune, “The company is not seeking any attention related to this matter and believes that any publicity should be more appropriately placed on the children and families dealing with Achondroplasia.”
In her email to TakePart, Martinka explains, "Although many people do not know, the m-word is derogatory, not just some innocuous word meaning small, as it was 50 years ago." She says, "I am fully aware that these pickles are just pickles—and my daughter is a human. This was my first step in educating just one company. Years ago I may not have had the drive for such an undertaking, but change happens when situations arise—new circumstances, such as having a child diagnosed with dwarfism."
When asked what she hopes her daughter will someday learn from this, Martinka says, "I hope Addie takes away the knowledge that she can bring change. I hope she learns my motto to not be reactive, but [to be] proactive and educate."
How about Size-Challenged Kosher Dills?
Actually the generic term for the kid is freak
Shouldn’t we get rid of the words “short” and “little” too?
It may be derogatory when applied to people but that doesn’t make it derogatory when applied to pickles or race cars or other small objects.
I am so tired of these groups of what I call “The professionally offended”.
If we extend out these crybaby’s logic then we would have to rename chickens because if I called someone a chicken it would be offensive. We would have to rename clowns because I can call someone a clown and be offensive. I can think of more examples but I think I have made the point.
So where does it end?
So am I supposed to now look for “Dwarf Pickles” next time I go to the grocery store?
And shouldn’t male dwarfs (or little people or whatever the hell is the accepted term today) be offended by the term “Dwarf Pickle”? Just wondering.
This pin-headed woman with the small kid is a mental midget. Doesn’t she have anything better to do with her time than to harass businesses? I bet she sits around all day being offended. Well...I am offended that people like her exist. Maybe all words offend her and we should all just use various grunt inflections to communicate? She needs a check-up-from-the-neck-up and serious meds...and I’m not talking midget-sized pills.
Well, I think I need to be offended by Harp beer, as I am of Irish descent.
My children are part Lithuanian, so I need to picket any store that sells flat-head screws.
Thoughts from my weird brain:
Was shortening use instead of KY at the conception of this child?
Do we have to call Shortcake something else now?
Weird G.
IOWs she senses the threat her own liberal philosophy is to her own son. Yep. I doubt she sees it consciously though. For her it’s all grasping to be somebody in the pecking order of Victimhood status.
ROTFLOL
I shouldn't laugh, you said the K word. Baby goats are horrified by your insensitivity ... and mine! baaa baaa LOLOL
Give the neurotic a little power and there's no end to it.
I hope she doesn't run across someone who owns an MG Midget. That could get ugly.
This sad woman has much deeper problems than a child with a disease.
The insane can't make the distinction between a human being and a pickled vegetable; between a perceived slight and a neutral descriptive adjective. But The politically correct company can. And should have.
Unfortunately that is what we are facing on every level of government and society now. To be rational and reasonable is to be skating on thin ice. But what else are we to do? It's either persevere or let go of sanity and join the madness.
Pinging you. You know why...
ummm..... because I’m a midget??? well no, that sure can’t be it!
heeheehee
Ah the pitter patter of tiny feet around the house...
It’s wonderful to have a midget butler.
W. C. Fields
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