Jen Arnold Calls Out Aranda’s Dwarf Tossing Remarks

Jen Arnold, The Little Couple alum, is steaming over remarks made by Baylor University’s football coach Dave Aranda. He specifically mentioned “midget-tossing,” and that wasn’t going to go unnoticed by the tiny neonatal physician. Read on to find out more.

An Apology Is Not Enough?

25 News KXXV reported that Aranda apologized on Wednesday. The outlet cited him as quoting the movie Wolf of Wall Street, and he mentioned “midgets” a lot, claiming he just used it as an example to describe “coaching and recruiting.”

In his apology he said:

I wanted to say, I – the last time we spoke – had a misstep and hurt a bunch of people, so I apologize for that… That’s not what I intended to come across, so I’m sorry for that.

However, that apology doesn’t cut it for the former TLC star. So, she went off about it on social media.

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What Did Jen Say?

On Instagram on Friday, Jen shared some photos of her little people children, Zoey and Will. She said she was “deeply disappointed” by Aranda’s remarks. Jen also noted  that whether meant as a joke or not, that kind of language is “both dehumanizing and dangerous.”

Arnold explained that as someone with dwarfism and a parent of children with dwarfism she understands how “harmful” such words can be. She said her kids already face “stereotypes, stares and exclusion.” The TLC alum added that hearing a public figure “casually reference dwarf tossing,” reinforces the idea that their bodies are “something to laugh at or exploit.”

She continued by saying that that dwarf tossing is not just “offensive.” In fact, it seems horribly “violent.” When people with dwarfism are thrown they can “suffer serious injuries including paralysis or even death.” She reminded readers, “Our bodies are not built to be treated that way.”

Little People Are Not For Entertainment

Shows like The Little Couple and Little People, Big World were aired specifically to educate people about those who suffer from the challenges of dwarfism. So, no wonder she feels so unhappy. Arnold said people should never be seen as entertainment. “We are people, and we deserve dignity and safety,” she said. 

Certainly, Jen Arnold made it clear that there’s nothing funny about what Aranda said. 

Looking ahead, she urged Aranda to act. She wrote that “Hosting an adaptive athletics camp for young athletes with disabilities would be a meaningful way to promote inclusion, respect, and leadership that uplifts rather than degrades.”

As far as she’s concerned, anyone dealing with young people in the educational field needs to set an example to “our kids,” who “deserve better.”

Fans React

Jen Arnold is highly respected and loved by her many fans. So, they were quick to chime in their support for what she said. One of them wrote, “I’m so sorry! Thank you for reminding us all of how harmful words can be. Love to you and your beautiful family.”

Here are a few responses:

• This phrase is disturbing on so many levels. Thank you for articulating this so well. You and your family are true leaders and role models, not this coach.
• I am so sorry. I cannot imagine how people can be so cruel, so thoughtless.
• This is so wrong on so many levels. We need to stop normalizing bullying. Makes me so angry.

What are your thoughts? Sound off in the comments below, and come back here often for all your The Little Couple cast news and updates.