Midget gems to change name

[Soubriquet]

To mini gems

link

Honestly would never have crossed my mind to think it was offensive but if people with dwarfism think it is, surely it’s right to change the name.

It’s still the same product. Just a different name

@scully29

I thought they were changed to Iced Gems long long ago.

Iced gems are different sweets.

@scully29

I thought they were changed to Iced Gems long long ago.

They are a different sweet entirely!

@ParkheadParadise

Honestly what a load of shite. The world has gone fucking mad.

My thoughts exactly, beyond ridiculous.

I had a knee jerk reaction to this when I heard it, but then realised that I didn't really care about the name and it was more to do with memories from childhood than any real issue with the change.

@lucillelarusso get your point but I don't think changing the name of the sweets will make any difference to people being arseholes

Good.

Mini gems sounds more modern anyway.

I'm just waiting for someone to get the Welsh language to change the name that carrots are called because it's offensive. Carrot in Welsh is moron.

One of my least favourite types of people are those who get upset or annoyed at things being changed that stop others from being discriminated against or hurt. So short-sighted and curmudgeonly. Similar to those bores who bang on about "elf and safety", as if better standards are a bad thing.

As a protest I shall only refer to them as ‘short arse gems’.

Good. I hope 'they' now change the name of rape, rapeseed oil etc. to something that doesn't make me feel sick every time I see it.

@ParkheadParadise

Honestly what a load of shite. The world has gone fucking mad.

what a charming turn of phrase you have. no surprise you don't care about other people's sensibilities.

Language evolves. If a word has been used with bigotry in mind then it needs replacing/refining when too much hurt has been caused.

Spastic was just a word, which was turned into hateful language, in medical settings the word is used extremely carefully, and preferably we use spasticity. Retarded is another example.

How does it hurt anyone to change the name of a sweet?

I can’t say I’ve ever thought about the name. I really don’t care if it’s changed.

How many people were deeply attached to the name before it was changed? If they’d suddenly been rebranded as pixie gems and no reason had been given, would all this frothing and abuse be directed at the marketing execs?

This is right wing wank fodder. They love something like this to be outraged about. The very idea that something might be changed for any kind of ethical reason seems to make them desperately angry.

These are the same people who stockpiled old style lightbulbs when they were pulled in favour of energy saving ones, despite the fact that many of them had spent years telling their DC, “Turn off the lights! Do you think I’m made of money?”

I don’t understand how anyone can read what that woman has said and believe the name shouldn’t be changed. Quite sad that many people can’t understand it means a lot to her, and others like lucillelarusso‘s uncle.

The word being on a widely sold item gives legitimacy to the term it doesn’t deserve. We need to get rid of it, and teach children that it’s not right to use it. The evolution in language should make life a bit easier for people who have physical differences of development.

@LizBennet

I thought midget sized also related to objects? Will Ginger Nuts be changed too I wonder 🤔

Being ginger is not a protected characteristic.

@RaininSummer

Still don't get how changing the abuse stops the abuse.

It doesn't, but I think it's a sensitive word loaded with negative connotations which can be triggering for people with dwarfism, so I'm glad it's being changed.

People say name-calling etc doesn't hurt, but it bloody can sometimes, and it often comes with threatening behaviour, so seeing it around can bring up feelings of being threatened or feeling singled out etc. I feel like that when I hear racial slurs. Changing the name might not change anything fundamental in a bully's behaviour, but at least it sends a message that it's not right/acceptable.

Only M&S ones

I was being flippant, and I apologise. To be honest I didn't know the term midget was considered offensive.

To all of those not understanding how the name change helps, imagine a child at break or at a party with a pack of midget gems. Imagine another child in the group is short statured. What happens?
"look midget gems, you should have these"
"These must be yours"
etc etc
I agree with pp that it is utterly bizarre to contest a name change that does nothing to dent your enjoyment and might help someone feel better about themselves.

@WendyYourExcellency

I don’t understand how anyone can read what that woman has said and believe the name shouldn’t be changed. Quite sad that many people can’t understand it means a lot to her, and others like lucillelarusso‘s uncle.

The word being on a widely sold item gives legitimacy to the term it doesn’t deserve. We need to get rid of it, and teach children that it’s not right to use it. The evolution in language should make life a bit easier for people who have physical differences of development.

This, exactly

But presumably the word midget will still be in the dictionary?

[quote flippertyop]@lucillelarusso get your point but I don't think changing the name of the sweets will make any difference to people being arseholes [/quote]
No, but it may well stop 'banter' from children. Nothing stops racists being racist, but we can stop them racially abusing others.

This is bloody stupid - I am very tall and have always had people say 'is it cold up there' or 'you don't need a ladder'. So what - I just get on with it.

I dont care if they change the name, but i think its a bit much to call the word midget' 'hate speech'

@AutumnAlmanack

This is bloody stupid - I am very tall and have always had people say 'is it cold up there' or 'you don't need a ladder'. So what - I just get on with it.

That is NOT the same thing as dwarfism. This is a ridiculous statement.