Controversy is brewing over the name of "The Midget," a Greene King pub located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The establishment, which opened its doors back in 1974, has sparked significant debate following the announcement of its impending name change.
The pub is set to be rebranded as "The Roaring Raindrop," named after the MG EX 181 car, which broke the land-speed record driven by Sir Stirling Moss. This decision came after Dr. Erin Pritchard, a senior lecturer at Liverpool Hope University who has dwarfism, initiated a petition to change the name of the pub, asserting the term "Midget" is considered derogatory and constitutes "disablist hate speech." Her petition garnered over 1,300 signatures from supporters who shared her concerns.
Dr. Pritchard expressed her views, stating, "I doubt anyone would tolerate a pub with a name containing an equally derogatory slur against another group of disabled people or an ethnic minority." She noted her own experiences with the term and its usage as bullying and derogatory remarks directed at individuals with dwarfism. "It is a term I and most other people with dwarfism find offensive. It is good to see Greene King is open to addressing concerns about disablist hate speech," she added.
The backlash against the name change, having heard the complaints from Dr. Pritchard, led many locals to rally against the rebranding, with more than 3,000 people now signing a counter-petition calling for the restoration of the original name. This movement shows how deeply rooted the name is within the community’s lore, with locals arguing the pub's name invokes strong connections to the town's history and the iconic MG cars manufactured there.
Joe Lawlor, the creator of the counter-petition, voiced his opposition, arguing, "I'm sure many will disagree with this decision, and I think it is ridiculous. The naming is part of Abingdon’s history." Lawlor believes the term is not inherently offensive when applied to the pub, and renaming it disregards its historical significance.
The pub's history is certainly tied to the MG cars; the original name, "The Magic Midget," referenced the MG Midget sports car which was renowned for its performance, even breaking land-speed records back when it was produced. The pub was renamed to "The Midget" in 2002, shedding the “magic” designation, but retaining the connection to the beloved vehicle.
Greene King has addressed the concerns from both sides of the argument. Zoe Bowley, managing director of Greene King pubs, stated, "Pubs are at the heart of communities and are all about bringing people together...We hope making the change helps preserve our pub's historic links to Abingdon's past." Bowley sought to acknowledge the importance of both the name change and the history tied to the pub—and respect for the community's sentiments on the issue.
Local residents, meanwhile, remain divided. Some argue the name should continue as it relates directly to the car, not to individuals. Amanda Buckingham, another local, echoed this sentiment, stating, "Changing the name is not going to stop people from calling it The Midget, and it's not going to stop people using the term derisively outside of this specific usage. The name distills our connection to the MG brand and the history behind it."
Historically, the term "midget" has roots tracing back to Victorian freak shows, and Dr. Pritchard's activism has broadly aimed to address and eradicate its use across various sectors. She had previously succeeded in pressuring Marks & Spencer to rebrand their Midget Gems product, emphasizing societal change toward more respectful and thoughtful terminology.
Dr. Pritchard also voiced her thoughts on the importance of societal progress: "While pub names change all the time, they still remain as part of local heritage. But the word midget remains relevant and hurtful, regardless of its historical ties. We must stand by and recognize the terms we use and their impact on individuals and communities today."
It seems the discussion won't end quiet, as local residents and organization Greene King grapple with the balance of preserving history and ensuring respect and inclusivity for all community members. While change may be on the horizon for "+the Midget," the debate has certainly sparked strong feelings and reflections on heritage, language, and identity.
The developing story of The Midget pub and its potential transformation is set to be one of the many reflections of contemporary society's changing views on language, respect, and shared history.
