Race in HP

[jmhohman_2000]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C6716
From: jmhohman_2000
Subject: Re: Race in HP
Reply To: [Yahoo! #6529] Race in HP
Date: 8/12/00 2:08 pm  (ET)

Well, there is something that has been bothering me on this front ...

I too am enjoying the diversity and the "just happens to be" attitude
(for example, clarifying Angelina's race in book 4).

Glad to see themes of racism explored with the plot lines re: elves
and giants.

But, maybe I'm overly sensitive, but the way the elves speak is too
close to stereotypical language given to African Americans in 19th and
early 20th century ficture. And, while I can't put my finger on it,
there is something that bugs me in the scenes where Dobby is grateful
for the socks from Harry and Ron - sort of like the "good, beneficient
(condescending and paternalistic) white man who fights for the freedom
of the black man (who it is implied can't fight for himself)."

Maybe these sorts of problems just come with the territory when one
tries to explore how one in a privileged group is to react to unfair
treatment of an unprivileged group.

The elf theme (and the message that they have dignity and worth) came
thru much better at the end when Dumbledore remembers to send Poopy to
see about Winky.