I've heard before that fat people and short people are the only ones left we can make fun of without running up against anti-discrimination laws.
That's only a matter of time if new restrictions against weight and height discrimination are added to Massachusetts' anti-discrimination law.
The bill, which would make Massachusetts the second state in the United States to offer such protections, applies mainly to the workplace but also covers landlords and real estate interactions.
Rep. Byron Rushing, a Boston Democrat who is sponsoring the bill, said it is a question of civil rights.
"This is one of the last physical aspects of people that you can acceptably laugh about," said Rushing, who is black, slim and of average height. "You can be a shock jock on the radio and talk about fat people for a solid week and no one would ever think of having you lose your job. It's still acceptable."
Do we really think companies should be as concerned about fat jokes as racist jokes? Do they honestly think weight carries the same baggage (sorry) historically as race does? Rush Limbaugh--no small man himself--would have a field day with this legislation.
I've always thought about discrimination law being based on basic immutable characteristics. I can't change my race. And while I could have a sex change operation, my DNA would always say I was something different. Weight can be changed, although it is easier for some people than for others.
Height is an immutable characteristic, but is there really that much discrimination based on it? I'm of average height for a woman, but my husband is really tall. Would he have a case against an employer if someone made a joke about his height?
What's the next thing to be added? Ugliness? Cross-eyes? Bad teeth? Big ears? Where does our criminalization of being offended end?
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