I only consider freak shows exploitative in the sense that it& #39;s someone taking advantage of a natural (or manufactured) difference that sets them apart. from others. Unless mentally disabled or a literal child, participating in sideshows is a conscious choice. https://twitter.com/LeahJaclyn/status/1309936938242068480">https://twitter.com/LeahJacly...

And even then, well... it& #39;s same across all show business. There are mentally disabled actors, and child actors, too. Are they exploited? Yeah, some. But not all.

And it& #39;s worth considering that even the borderline cases, like Schlitzie and other "pinheads,," who had a significantly impaired intellect?

He was born in 1901. His only other option would have been lifelong institutionalization.

Schlitzie lived to 70 years old; if institutionalized, he would have likely died much younger. Pre-modern institutions weren& #39;t care homes, they were dumping grounds. He was inarguably better taken care of by the showpeople who adopted him than he would have been by institutions.