Short People

Word of warning

Some of you may have personal experiences 

with discrimination, so let's keep 

all conversations respectful.

Short People?

Have you ever been judged or treated differently because of how you look, or what you like or because of your beliefs?

>>Feel free to share your experience or keep it to yourself.<<

Do you recognise this song? Where do you recognise it from?

Randy Newman

Born November 28, 1943, is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, pianist, composer, conductor and orchestrator. 

He is known for his non-rhotic* Southern-accented singing style, early Americana-influenced songs, often with mordant or satirical lyrics, and various film scores.

*an accent/dialect where people do not pronounce the r in words like car, farm,clear etc.

What do you think this song is about?

Is it funny, offensive, or both?

Funny

Offensive

Both funny and offensive

What is a stereotype?

1. A musical instrument.
2. A specific belief or thoughts about people based solely on their membership of a group.
3. A type of stereo.
4. Not a mono type.

Stereotype definition

A stereotype is a simple idea or opinion of a person, group or thing. Mostly, it is an incorrect judgement, idea or belief many people have about a group that is based upon how they look or behave.

For instance all people with tattoos are criminals. All Jews want is power and money. Or all Americans are fat. 

What stereotypes does the song use about short people? (Look at the lyrics).

What words or phrases are
especially hurtful to short people?

What if we changed the lyrics and replaced
'short people' with other groups of people?
Example: "Black people got no reason to live..."
"Disabled people got no reason to live..."

Give one example of how stereotypes
can hurt people in real life.

Stereotype → discrimination

1. Generalization → Stereotypes oversimplify groups (e.g., "All Mexicans are lazy"), creating unfair biases.
   
2. Dehumanisation →Reducing people to labels ("criminals," "illegal aliens") makes it easier to justify mistreatment.
   
3. Unconscious Bias → Even subtle stereotypes (e.g., assuming women are "emotional leaders") affect decisions in hiring, policing, or education.
   
4. Systemic Discrimination →Widespread stereotypes embed into laws/policies (e.g., racial profiling, wage gaps).
5. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy → Targets of stereotypes may internalize them (e.g., "I’m bad at math"), reinforcing the cycle.

What is normal?

What is normal?  It depends on many things. Where you were born. What sort of family you grew up in. Cultural influences. Personal preferences. Politics. Religion. Wealth or poverty.
In some African cultures people share and eat from the same dish. In some parts of the Arab world it's normal for men to hold hands.
Maybe it's not for you, but it's normal for them. 

They may find your habits or likes strange or weird like the verjaardagskring.

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about this assignment?