Group Again Asks High School To Drop ‘Midgets’ Nickname

FREEBURG, Ill. (AP) –A group representing people with dwarfism and some community members are again asking a southern Illinois high school to drop a `Midgets’ nickname they call offensive.

Freeburg High School leaders agreed in July to keep a name and mascot that has been criticized by the Little People of America. The group wants Freeburg and half a dozen other schools nationwide to drop the moniker.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that several speakers at Thursday night’s Freeburg school board meeting asked elected leaders to reconsider their decision. The board didn’t take action.

Supporters say a name that was coined nearly 100 years ago by a reporter after he watched the school’s short basketball team beat much larger opponents is a source of community pride and tradition for the small town.

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