Yamal is facing public and governmental pressure in Spain for hiring little people to perform at his 18th birthday party.

It wasn't the "mafia" theme or "gangster rap" style that caused controversy at 18-year-old Barca star Lamine Yamal's birthday party last Saturday. Instead, it was the presence of little people performers that ignited a firestorm of debate.

The Spanish Association of People with Dwarfism and other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE) filed a complaint, alleging that Yamal's actions violated "the dignity of people with disabilities." The Spanish Ministry of Social Rights also intervened, announcing an investigation to determine if any laws were broken.

Conversely, one of the performers spoke on RAC1 radio, stating that he and his colleagues were hired under a legitimate entertainment contract. They were treated with respect, he said, and did not feel exploited or humiliated. He defended their right to work and claimed that ADEE's actions were devaluing his profession.

Some little people arrive at Yamal's birthday party venue.

Setting aside the possibility of a targeted media campaign against Yamal, the reactions of ADEE and the performer represent two opposing views. Those condemning Yamal believe that hiring little people for entertainment can be exploitative. Those defending Yamal emphasize the right of individuals with disabilities to choose their profession and earn a living.

Organizations like ADEE, founded in 2021 with over 4,500 members who have dwarfism or other skeletal dysplasias, argue that using little people for entertainment in parties, shows, or other events is discriminatory. ADEE has repeatedly stressed that such practices "perpetuate negative stereotypes, foster stigma, and negatively impact the image and rights of people with dwarfism."

Furthermore, Spanish law, specifically the 2023 revised Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, prohibits entertainment or performances that exploit someone's disability for laughter, mockery, or disrespectful attention. This is not just an ethical issue but a legal one if the act is intended to be derisive, mocking, or demeaning.

Historically, in the Spanish Habsburg courts of the 16th and 17th centuries, little people were considered "gente de placer," or "people of pleasure," alongside jesters, people with physical or intellectual disabilities, and those with unusual physical traits. They served as entertainers, companions, and attendants, especially for royal children, such as Infanta Margarita Teresa. Royal archives indicate over 70 little people served in the palace during its peak.

Renowned Spanish court painter Diego Velazquez painted numerous portraits of little people, notably in his masterpiece *Las Meninas* (1656). Two prominent figures in the painting, Mari Barbola and Nicolas Pertusato, both associated with Infanta Margarita Teresa, reflect their roles as both entertainers and companions to royal children.

Modern Spanish society has undergone a shift in perception, viewing this historical practice as a negative relic. They believe that eliminating such practices is crucial for a just and humane society. Discrimination, they argue, isn't just about subjective feelings, but also about perpetuating stereotypes and limiting opportunities for little people. While respecting individual choices, they contend that "feeling okay" doesn't justify using physical differences for entertainment.

However, defining "genuine choice" or "earning a living as one wants" for individuals with dwarfism is complex. A case in France 30 years ago illustrates this difficulty.

Manuel Wackenheim, known as "Mister Skyman," performed in nightclubs where he was thrown as far as possible dressed as an American football player, a scene featured in Martin Scorsese's *The Wolf of Wall Street*. This sparked a debate between those who saw it as harmless entertainment and those who found it offensive and discriminatory.

On a French TV show hosted by Patrick Sabatier, Wackenheim argued with actress Mimie Mathy. He asserted his right to earn a living, while Mathy countered, "I look at myself… I would not let people throw me like a bag of laundry,".

Minister Michele Barzach, under Prime Minister Jacques Chirac, called for a ban, and other politicians agreed. French media extensively covered the case. A question posed on the radio and later quoted in a *Le Point* podcast asked, "Could someone living on a 2,900 franc disability allowance truly 'choose' to refuse a 20,000 franc contract?"

The French Ministry of the Interior declared the performance "an unacceptable insult to human dignity." In 11/1991, they issued a directive banning "dwarf-throwing," citing Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Wackenheim defended his work, arguing that entertainment was one of the few career options for little people, saying, "I can't imagine myself working in a factory,".

Yamal at his 18th birthday party in Spain.

The case took a legal turn when Wackenheim sued the Versailles Administrative Court after his show in Morsang-sur-Orge was banned, claiming his right to work was violated. In 2/1992, the court ruled in his favor, overturning the ban.

The case went to the Council of State, which ruled in 1995 that human dignity is part of "public order." Thus, even with consent, activities deemed degrading could be banned. After losing in French courts, Wackenheim appealed to the UN Human Rights Committee unsuccessfully. France doesn't ban little people from working in film, theatre, or art. However, any "entertainment" deemed degrading, even with consent, can be prohibited, similar to Spain.

In Spain and the West, Yamal's case highlights the conflict between individual rights and societal concerns. Yamal, regardless of his intentions, has sparked this debate. His media presence amplified the controversy.

Hoang Thong