HEIGH-NO! Seven Little People We Need Films About vs. Another Damn Snow White Movie
Peter Dinklage’s passionate admonishment of Disney’s “Snow White” reboot caused the Mouse to publicly commit to a “different approach” to the film that would “avoid reinforcing stereotypes.” While the leadership of organizations representing LPs may not be at the table with ideas, I sure as heck have them.
Dopey, Doc, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Grumpy, and Happy are by far the MOST BORING little people on record. So instead, who are seven REAL people with dwarfism who would make compelling focuses for a feature film.
7. The Ovitz Family: A family of dwarfs (or were they) who were the fascination of Dr. Mengele in Nazi Germany. They were kept at Auschwitz and found incredible ways to extend their survival.
6. Sammie Bryant was a gospel singer in the choir of Aretha Franklin’s father’s church, New Bethel Baptist. She toured with Aretha and her dad and released multiple albums.
5. Bushwick Bill (Richard Steven Shaw) a founding member of the groundbreaking Houston based Hip-Hop trio, the Geto Boys who later in life became a pastor.
4. Judy Lynn Del-Ray, an editor at Tor and Ballatine and was instrumental in developing the fields of sci-fi and fantasy novels. She also had the foresight to buy the novel rights to Star Wars WAY back in the day that is still in their possession today. She worked with Philip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov, and many many others.
3. Paul Steven Miller, the longest serving commissioner at the EEOC and a civil rights trailblazer. Denied jobs by multiple law firms, Paul carved out an incredible path crafting disability legislation including the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and worked for three Presidents.
2. Alejandrina Guzman, former student government president at UT Austin, who works for the ACLU of Texas on Voting and Reproductive Justice. She helped organize efforts to save Obamacare in Texas, given its impact on people with disabilities.
And….
- The Founding of Little People of America: An origin story of the coming together of people with dwarfism from all over the country to fight for access, equality, and inclusion. More than 50 years later they’re artists, lawyers, parents, activists, and more, but are still having to fight for their dignity.
Who do you want to see a film about? Put your ideas in the comments!
(Honorable Mentions: Stella Young, Chick Webb, Lord Minimus, Benjamin Lay, Matthias Buchinger, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec)
