🐾Mascot: "Midegetts"

The "Midgets" mascot, used by Freeburg Community High School in Illinois, has a intriguing and somewhat complex history. This mascot originated back in the 1930s when a sportswriter nicknamed the school's basketball team the "Midgets" because the tallest player was only 5'10" and yet they managed to defeat an unbeaten team. While it was intended as a term of admiration, many people today, especially those with dwarfism, consider it to be a derogatory and dehumanizing word 🛡️. The use of this mascot has sparked a lot of debate, with some arguing that it's a cherished tradition and others believing it's time for a change to avoid offending anyone. Recently, the Illinois House passed a bill that would require the school to change its mascot to something more inclusive by 2028 ⚡. Despite the controversy, the "Midgets" mascot remains a unique part of Freeburg High School's identity, highlighting the importance of considering the impact of words on different communities ⭐.