Here's the conversation from my Ethics & Social Philosophy class. Apparently, I'm a jerkface.
Anna: Dwarf throwing is appalling.
Jessica: And at the same time humorous.
Heidi: It isn't humorous. It's dangerous! The dwarf could be hurt because they aren't professional dwarf-tossers.
What the dickens constitutes a "professional dwarf-tosser?" I figure that's pretty much a one toss and you're a pro. Provided the dwarf survives.
Jessica: Not like good, clean fun humorous.
Professor: That is what makes this such a difficult topic. There is entertainment value as well as the dwarf's willingness.
Anna: If they were throwing quadriplegics?
Jessica: If they're willing...plus they won't get hurt.
Anna: Insensitive.
Ugh, I get called this ALL THE TIME. I'm not insensitive. Come off it. I just proposed an equally awful alternative to the same tasteless sport (the one of throwing willing people), only with the added benefit that they are less likely to be hurt. If anything I am an ambassador for reform.
Heidi: What if they were black people? Black people could get hurt too.
Does Heidi think I think that black people are unbreakable? I distinctly remember the "glass bones" guy in that movie was Samuel L. Jackson. Black and breakable.
Here's where I go jerkface. Especially so because I also get very PC
Jessica: You both are missing my point. It is not the race or ethnicity of a person - they can be African America, Caucasian, Pacific Islander. Nor is it their differently-abled status, or lack thereof...What it really comes down to the willingness of the person involved and their capacity to make that decision.
Professor: Very excellent point Jessica. Class, how do you respond to the issue or willingness?
That's right class! Suck it!
Heidi: I think it's willing exploitation.
Jessica: You can't be willingly exploited. There are other, non-toss-related jobs out there for dwarfs.
Heidi: How do you know?
Jessica: That there aren't more jobs? There has to be; otherwise dwarf tossing would be everywhere!
Heidi: How do you know that you can't be willingly exploited? What about prostitutes or strippers?
Jessica: 1) How do you know you can be? 2) Prostitution is illegal; and therefore, wrong regardless of willingness or choice, and 3) Stripping isn't illegal and there lots of other jobs. I'm not a stripper. You could be a stripper, paying your way through school so you can get your MPA.
Heidi: I'm not a stripper.
Jessica: Because you're not willing to and didn't make that choice. But you could CHOOSE to be one!
Professor: Let's take a break from this discussion and turn toward what Immanuel Kant would say about this.
Anna: Prositution isn't illegal in Nevada.
Thanks Anna. Welcome back to the discussion. P.S. don't call Heidi a stripper.
