Comments

From Tom Samaras:

Hi Joe,

Enjoyed talking with you. I wish more people understood the dangers inherent in promoting taller and heavier bodies.

Great photo.

Best wishes,

Tom

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Thanks Tom.

Incidentally, I have an article here that I just googled.  The url is -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2089452/Tall-men-likely-die-heart-failure-short-men-according-new-US-survey.html?ITO=1490

It appears that the deification of tall men continues.  It seems that some Harvard researchers are claiming that Tall men have less chance of developing heart disease than short or shorter men.  I was wondering what your opinion on this article is.

Thanks,

Joe

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Hi Joe,

Very strange. I just sent this response to the site and they responded that they are no longer taking anymore comments. When I submitted it, there was no such statement.

Based on over 3 decades of research, I disagree with the findings in the study based on the following facts:

1.  Many short, non-developed populations have little to no coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke.

2. In all of Papua New Guinea (PNG), no CHD or stroke was found among its short population.

3.  According to the U.S. Government's publication, Health, United States, 2001, the lowest mortality from CHD was found among Asians. Latinos and Native Americans were taller than Asians and had higher CHD. Blacks and Whites were the tallest ethnic groups and had the highest CHD mortality. This study involved over 8 million deaths.

4.  Okinawans are shorter than mainland Japanese but have much lower CHD mortality.

5. Small dogs have much lower death rates from heart disease compared to big dogs.

For additional information, see www.humanbodysize.com

Best regards,

Tom

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Hello,
I just wanted you to know that I've read over some of your materials on your page claiming to advocate short men. I am thoroughly disgusted. Not because you have misrepresented short men in any fashion, but that you are attempting to represent them in any fashion to begin with. Natural Selection is a crucial part of evolution and the betterment f the human race. To give short men the impression they are of equal worth as other human beings is simply laughable and worse detrimental to the progression of the human condition. One fine day medical science will find a method to eradicate the short gene or at the very least a viable procedure or treatment to ensure all men grow to well over 6'0" as they properly should be. On that day humanity can rejoice that all children born will achieve a respectable stature. Hopefully society will come to it's good sense to deal with the remaining short men dispassionately and swiftly by rounding them up into camps and exterminating them. We can only hope. And before your label me a heightist hate mongering person know that I am a man who stands 5'5". I merely am a man of science, knowledge and truth. If the day I have illustrated does come to fruition in my lifetime I would gladly give my worthless life for the betterment of the human race and condition. As any person who is truly selfless would do.

Please stop your foolish crusade, no one cares about the plight of short men. Nor should they. What a laughable notion.

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As a 5'4" actor, I'm used to people not seeing me at auditions, in both the literal and the figurative sense. I know it's definitely colored my career, even stalled it. Some of that can be chalked up to the nature of the business with so many people destined to not succeed because of the numbers alone. But, I've witnessed enough to know that heightism is as pervasive in that industry as any other. I can only speak from experience as a stage actor, but I know from auditioning for film and tv work that, even if you are considered for roles (and from my experience of just watching tv and movies), you're either in the deep background, or relegated to some extremely minor bit and/or comic figure that's either the butt of jokes, or to be pitied or feared for some reason (ala Jackie Earle Haley, the child molester in "Little Children").

I've gotten enough decent work that I know that I'm a decent actor aside from my own self-affirmation, but it's definitely rare for me to be even called back for a role. Or, when I am, to ever be considered for the same types of roles mentioned above - comic buffoon alongside a taller actor who's smarter/more powerful, etc., pathetic character, or "the messenger" role in any number of Shakespearean or period plays. Hey, you're short, so you don't experience life in the same way as us normal people, and your life isn't as valid or interesting because you're so short. Can't tell you how many times I've played the messenger. Usually called "Balthasar" - I think I've listed that as the last 5 roles on my resume.  That's the only reasoning I can figure out on that one. Your life can't be representative of a romantic lead, or somebody who could be seen as even moderately interesting. That's the only reasoning I can figure out on that one. I do occasionally get a villain role in Shakespeare, but those are the fun ones anyhow. But usually, if it's moderately interesting or larger than a handful of lines, it's not something that goes to a short guy.

Eric

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This guy obviously thinks that everyone in the world, especially women think short men are so inferior that they have to compensate for their height.  Yes, there is a major bias against short men but he said that every time you see a short man with a good looking woman he has money.  This is simply not true.

Jason

Webmaster's note:  Please refer to KTN video on short men. (Videos page)
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Joe - I felt privileged to be part of your 11/27/09 broadcast. Solidarity is important, and I'm very impressed by what you're doing, and enthusiastic about the direction your efforts are taking lately.

 R. K.

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Hello, I'm a 23 years old, 5'4" French man old.  So please don't blame me about my English.

Five years ago, I was a shit;  bad at school, I found myself ugly and though I don't deserve to live.  I react myself, nobody help me
Today, I'm in an engineering school.
I've been searching deep inside my personal story to find why I was feeling so bad . . .

And guess what, if I fixed a lot of problem with my parents, I could not lie anymore:  I feel bad because I'm short, because the society make me feel bad about my height.

And as you said, it's an horrible problem.
You cannot defend yourself:  "oh, is so sensitive".
It's not a problem:  "You just have a lack of confidence"
And at last, you can't be agressive, you will be blame for that!

The unconsciouce discrimination is the perfect expression, the one I was searching to explain my problem.  Now I know, that if a part of the problem is inside me, another part (the biggest one?) is outside of me . . . Thanks for your essays, now I know that I'm not alone, and I understand that the best thing I can do is to respect myself.

Women is a big issue:  It's so hard to be rejected, or just feel that she look at you with contempt, because you're not tall enought to be "a real man"!  I think it's not tomorrow that women will change their judgement . . .

I wold like to join you, what can I do to help you?

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Joe,                                                                     

Now that you mention it, those Nossa videos are scary.  If that weirdo is the president of an organization I'd be worried.  That guy appears to have some heavy duty problems.  It makes me wonder just who would join that club.  Did you notice that at the end of one or two of the videos the camere lens winds up being pointed at his groin? 

Webmaster's note:  Here are links to the videos, that is, they used to be links.  Tricky little Matthew S. Campisi has removed all but one from Youtube.  The only one left on Youtube is the 'Learn to Drive' video of Campisi.  But even that one has been privatized by the little snake.  We told you so.

Psycho Ward        
 The Closet                            
Alien Landing                                              
Learn to Drive      
Bathroom Antics

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Joe man, that Nossa guy is real sinister.  As soon as I saw those videos I thought man, this guys' a joke.  I wonder who they've got joining them.  They're like a fringe group with few members it seems.  Their forums are private, you can't see what people are posting.  They must be hiding something.  You're right.

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Hello I'm in grade 8 and im doing a public speech on 'height discrimination' i was just wondering if you happened to have any tips for me. if so you can just reply this email, and if not than thanks anyways, and i LOVE your intro to your essay, i may steal a few ideas and quotes from you

thanks a bunch,

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Hi all:

So enjoy your informative website.  As a female 4' 6", I can relate to smart assed remarks, stares, jeers, what have you! Well, I am in the corporate world and in this world I most definitely am respected and am not short "so to speak".  And I do agree whole-heartedly with you on each and every subject.  ALL  SHORT  PEOPLE  MUST  BAND  TOGETHER  AND FIGHT  FOR OUR RIGHTS.

 Yes, you can be black, white, eleven feet tall, weigh 600 lbs. and you get by BUT.....just be below average and watch out brother, you are really in for it.

 We are not handicapped just because we are below average.  Other than reach the high shelf at the supermarket I can do anything that anybody else can do AND SO CAN YOU.

 We all, as shorter than average have to really fight and speak up LOUDER than our taller people out there.

To be heard and to be respected.

It seems that the shorter statured society are gaining some ground in many ways, however there probably, unfortunately will always be that element who will look down on the shorter society as not as good as they are.

Well, all you tall folks out there, there are many people in the business, entertainment world out there who have been quite short and believe me they make a statement and nothing has stood in their way.

I deem it a luxury to go out in public and shop in peace as my taller friends do.  No, I am a "celebrity" so to speak with stares, points, etc.  And now I SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT to them all (mostly little children, brats) as I call them.

Which brings me to the parents who do not coach their kids to keep their damn little mouths shut when they spot someone who does not fit into the normal range of their view.

As I said before, you can be 17 feet tall, have one eye and ten hands, but if you are short, baby you are gonna pay.

LET US ALL BAND TOGETHER AND STICK UP FOR OUR RIGHTS, IN EACH AND EVERY SITUATION THAT SEEMS TO STAND IN OUR WAY.

 Merle Sue

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Just read your essay

It is bang on I deal with so much bullshit in my life, I just wish there was something I could do about my height. I assume you have checked out all those hormone drugs as well? I doubt they work which is probably the sad reality...  We should all get together and start a riot for out rights , I mean the blacks and gays did it, why can't we?

 

A pissed off short man

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What annoys me is, if we tell anyone about height discrimination, it is dismissed as, all in our heads, trivial, frivolous, insignificant, nonexistent etc. People say: get over it, just deal with it, buck up, etc. Heightism is not taken seriously. Numerous examples of succesful short people are given, but these same people would never blow off racism or sexism, by giving examples of successful blacks, hispanics,etc. Heightism is given short shrift.
Ian
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Hi,

I read your article on height discrimination  It is excellent and there are very good points in there.  The Dos and Don’ts are very good to!  hank you for the article.

All the best to you and in whatever you do

Cher

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I was very impressed with your insights about being short.  It’s a tall world out there and we have to live in it. I realized reading your essay that I have surrounded my self with other short people.  I don’t think it was a conscious effort either.  Then on the other hand I have also had extremely tall friends and have avoided averaged sized people.  A strange world we live in huh. I’m sure that being a short man is not always easy. I am a 5’” red haired, left handed, woman.  If someone could say it THEY HAVE. You are right we do have to fight for our rights and get left-handed can openers!

Leticia

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Wow!.. my name is amanda.. im 15 and i read ur page.. i love it.. i mean i kno how it is im a person with short statrue.. I have a question .. Can u sue a company for discrimanation because you dont look your age?.. my friends are the same age (maybe a month or two older) and they can get a job.. but when i go there they say "O you have to be 16".. but i think that they believe im like 12 or somthing... but i dont know.. and how can you prove that your being discrimanted for your hight? you cant... i understand everything you said.. and i agree with you.. i've been to the doctor about my hight.. some said i was fine.. and some said that i just have underactive throid hormone..im about 4'7''... i never thought about people calling me "midget,dwaft,little person" ect.. discrimating untill i read ur page!... most people tell me that "is cute" about how tall i am.. but i dont know..well i just want to say thanks for openin my eyes and now i understand more!... Hey by the way I have heard something about people with short staure get disablity like $200 a month or something like that do you know anything about that? well im going to get going, thanxks again! bye!

Amanda
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I agree with you on height issue for men. I'm 46 y/o 5'3", I am intelligent and a lot of women have told me I am very handsome. But those same women refuse to go out on a date. I have heard women say behind my back that's my looks are "such a waste" because I'm a short man. The biggest problem is in the workplace. I have had managers use my work ethics as an example to other employees, yet my pay rate was much lower than even newly hired employees in a lesser position. Your article, in my opinion is accurate and truly reflects society's feelings on height discrimination. Thank you for bringing this issue out in the open.
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I'm a man, 5' 3/4" tall. Yes, I've been discriminated against in my lifetime. However, I had the opportunity to talk at length to someone who was 6'9", and the discrimination he suffered was eerily similar to what I suffered. We were both taunted, ridiculed, ostracised, threatened in grade school. We were both ignored when it came to dating. We discussed what it was like growing up, and we concluded that it wasn't because I was too short, or he was too tall. No. It was because we were both different than the perceived "norm."  What is the perceived norm? Look at the media. Children are taught to discriminate based on what they see and hear. You are not likely to see that many short people depicted on television. There is discrimination in in the entertainment industry that prevents even the most talented short men from "making it" in Hollywood. Also discriminated against are obese people, elderly people, people with disabilities, and in case you haven't noticed, there aren't that many shows with diversity of race. So, what have we got here?  It's the SAME prejudice in all cases. The groups that I've mentioned are all discriminated against, not because they were too short, to tall, too old, too fat, etc, but because they are "different" than the perceived "norm."  If the process of discrimination can be better understood, there should be a way to intervene to stop it, and to teach young people how to prevent it. Only then will we be free of it. Haven't you noticed that when one group gains power and discrimation stops against them, another crops up? Odd, isn't it?