On this day in 1941, Disney released a silver screen production that was intended to help recoup financial losses from Fantasia and Pinocchio. The movie released was a classic: Dumbo.
The plot is pretty simple. Mrs. Jumbo the circus elephant had a baby that was delivered by an exhausted stork. The baby’s name was to be Jumbo, Jr. Everyone was excited to see the new arrival until this baby elephant sneezed and his gigantic ears popped out. That’s all it took for the mockery to start and a nickname to be attached to the little elephant: Dumbo.
Dumbo was befriended by Timothy, the mouse. Through a series of events, Dumbo is being pushed by a bunch of crows to jump off a cliff, open his ears, and fly. With Timothy sitting in Dumbo’s hat, Dumbo begins to flap his ears, harder and harder until nothing can be seen because of the dust. When the dust clears, Timothy is shocked because they are airborne and flying with grace and agility.
Dumbo shows his abilities in a circus act where a bunch of firemen clowns are scrambling to put out a burning building. Dumbo is at the top of the building and supposed to jump into their safety net. Dumbo jumps, spreads his ears, and flies through the big top. Putting on an aerial show to the delight of the crowd, this will give Dumbo and his mom a new career as they sign a Hollywood contract and get a special car on the train.
The End. Roll credits. Wipe the tears.
Let me carefully make some observations and comparisons on this. How many children come into this world and something of their features is atypical? Some even have very severe malformations that make everyday living a challenge.
These kids get labeled, nicknamed, mocked, and treated differently. Most likely, the
insults and sideways glances follow them into adulthood. I believe things have gotten better in this area but it still needs to improve. As Christians, we can do a few things to help.
First, let us never forget the truth of Psalms 139:14-16. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (15) My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (16) Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” This applies to every child, whether they are typical or atypical in their form or mental condition.
Second, different isn’t wrong. It’s just different. We need to accept those differences. They aren’t a sin or a contagious disease. Though they be different, they need the same love.
Third, let’s lose the word disabilities. I know that it is a hard habit to break because we are conditioned to use that word. And, you know me that I am not politically or socially correct so this isn’t some sort of woke gibberish I’m suggesting. But I think it would do us good to say different abilities rather than disabilities. It reminds us that the atypical person is still a valuable part of our world, perhaps having abilities we may desperately need and could put to use if we would only give them a chance.
Finally, nicknames should be terms of endearment, not derogatory. Dumbo was derogatory. If you give someone a nickname, make sure that your intent is to show them love, honor, dignity, and praise. And you might ought to ask them if they like the nickname. Years ago, my grandma had a nickname for me that I know she meant with great love and affection. However, I detested the nickname and thought it sound dumb and childish. I was not blessed and encouraged when she used it in public, although I knew she meant well. Instead, I was embarrassed by it.
Let’s bless and encourage all people, remembering the truth of James 3:8-9. “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (9) Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.”
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
