An Illinois high school is drawing legal scrutiny and opposition from people with dwarfism. Located about 25 miles from St. Louis, Freeburg High School has cheered on the Midgets for 90 years — but the tradition has come under repeated criticism that the school’s mascot is recognized as a slur. The school’s continued use of the mascot has prompted a new campaign from the group Mascots Matter, which accuses the school of violating federal anti-discrimination law.
To make that argument, the group would have to demonstrate that the school is discriminating in general against people with dwarfism.
“However it was conceived, I think we can all agree it's in terribly poor taste now,” said attorney Susan McGraugh, a professor at St. Louis University School of Law.
The case was just one of those taken up Monday by the Legal Roundtable on St. Louis on the Air. Along with McGraugh, panelists included Eric Banks, a former counselor for the City of St. Louis and an attorney and mediator at Banks Law, and attorney Shawn McLain, a partner at the law firm Mickes O’Toole.
To hear the full conversation with the Legal Roundtable’s attorneys, including their reaction to President Donald Trump’s pardons of defendants convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, listen to St. Louis on the Air on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube, or click the play button below.
“St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is produced by Miya Norfleet, Emily Woodbury, Danny Wicentowski, Elaine Cha and Alex Heuer. Jada Jones is our production assistant. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr. Send questions and comments about this story to talk@stlpr.org.
