Comments on: Tall Pastors

by: CT

Wed, 03 Aug 2005 03:20:00 +0000

Thank you for your post, pastor. I’d be very interested in hearing more of your story — whether you feel you’ve been discriminated against because of your height. I used to have a peer who was also 6′7″ and I know he had trouble finding a car that would fit him.

One thing that I got out of the CBE conference I just attended was that those of us who particularly care about gender equality will most likely find great similarities between our concerns and other types of discriminations. See the comments of blog team members about slavery. I doubt that it would be very hard to find similarities in the originating places from which these discriminations arise.

by: Shane W

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 03:20:00 +0000

Excellent blog in general. I’m sad we seem to need more and more efforts to recognize equality. I’m not sure heightism vs. sexism needs any research. I think concentrating on one issue as you do helps us become more aware of other divisions or injustices in general.
But I’m a 6′7″ minister - serving a denominational office of PC(USA)- who is only now developing the confidence (through spiritual growth) common among many tall leaders.

by: CT

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 11:13:00 +0000

You’re right that men prefer women shorter than themselves and women prefer men taller than themselves. Sometimes the prejudices that we hold can have unfortunate consequences against ourselves. Think of the good friends we could have had except for the fact we didn’t even notice them. Think of the perfect mate we missed because we didn’t follow up on an expression of interest just because of a couple of inches difference (the wrong way) of height. I’m as guilty of these as the next guy.

The Web site I listed in my posting said the average male height (I’m assuming in the USA) is 8.5 feet and that women on average are six inches shorter. So when I find an organization that has all men in it, all much taller than average, I have to assume that major prejudice is going on.

I just hope you never have the experience of not being hired or of being dismissed by attitude in the workplace because you were too short. It stings.

My guess is that your sister doesn’t think it’s as funny as you think it is. Am I right?

by: Anonymous

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 21:46:00 +0000

I’m short, and I think it’s funny. Especially since, by the stats you quote, most people are short (or at least under 6 ft). Therefore, we’re prejudiced against ourselves. How silly is that? And, do short employers discriminate against tall employees out of jealousy? My tall sister was no less giggled at (during my wedding) than her short date was … men especially don’t seem to like tall women. As a short woman I never had a guy reject me because of my height. My sister’s had that happen to her a lot.

by: CT

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 20:48:00 +0000

Welcome Anonymous:

I wish you had been a little more specific as I’m not sure exactly what tickled your funnybone. I realize, of course, that the Dutch (and RCA pastors) come from northern European stock that tend to be taller, perhaps, than most other groups. Secondly, there’s no comparison between the strengths of the “tall” and the strengths of the “short,” and I did not intend to imply that there was. Still, it is interesting to note that there are some advantages to being short even though most people would prefer to be tall.

If, however, you thought that the short population shouldn’t have their own support groups for the ill treatment and the dismissive attitudes they experience day in and day out, then I’d have to say that you’re not being very sensitive to this area of discrimination. Is any kind of discrimination funny?

Perhaps you could clarify your comments.

by: Anonymous

Sat, 21 May 2005 20:48:00 +0000

This would be hilarious, if I didn’t think you were serious.