[HPFGU-OTChatter] "Mudblood"

[Audra1976 at aol.com]

In a message dated 13/01/2003 06:36:36 Eastern Standard Time, 
HebrideanBlack2002 at hotmail.com writes:
> And, while I was a bit put off by your post the first time I read it, Audra, 
> (I do think you were perhaps a bit harsh with me. I don’t have the HP audio 
> tapes, after all <G>) it did help me think through more deeply *why* the 
> word bothers me, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it really *does* 
> bother me. Which doesn’t mean that anyone else on this list has to care or 
> do anything different. I’m not asking that, 

> at all. But the use of the term will continue to have an affect on the way 
> I perceive the people who use it


Me:

Don't be put off, Wen.  I was laughing with you, not at you.  Or at the most, 
laughing NEAR you.  Come on, you have to admit, it is a pretty silly debate.  
We should be so PC now that we have to worry about being sensitive to people 
who don't even exist?  Trust me, I love the HP books and characters as much 
as anyone here (which might be too much, haha), but I don't feel one way or 
another about people who use "mudblood" in their posts.  I don't think you 
can *in any way* extrapolate on their sensitivity for real people or real 
world issues based on that.  If it evokes that feeling in you, then it does, 
and you can't help that, but then at least realize rationally that person 
could just as easily be a very sweet, sensitive soul, who works in a soup 
kitchen or something.  

Actually, I don't think I've ever used the term "mudblood" in a post unless 
specifically referring to characters in the book who use the term.  I use 
"muggleborn," but since I've been thinking about the words now, "mudblood" 
really doesn't put a bad taste in my mouth at all.  I think it has a funky 
sort of sound to it actually, especially if you elongate the vowel sounds 
slightly..."muudblooood."  Try it!  I even entered the Sunday night chat last 
night saying, "'Sup, Mudbloods?"  Nobody commented whether the liked that or 
not.  Maybe I'm the only one, but oh well.  I'm used to being a weirdo at 
this point in my life.  And Wendy, *I* actually *do* have the audio books!!  
So no harshness intended.

Audra


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