Race in HP

[mkplummer]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C6717
From: mkplummer
Subject: Re: Race in HP
Reply To: [Yahoo! #6716] Re: Race in HP
Date: 8/12/00 2:21 pm  (ET)

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)."

I, too, find the house elves issue a bit disturbing. Ron keeps saying
the house elves don't want to be free or have rights, that they are
happy serving others. But that is an arguement made by many others over
time to justify slavery and other abuses. Even Doby did not want to take
too much pay or leave from Dumbledore because he "did not want too much
feedom". JKR goes into a very touchy subject, but does not tell us where
this is going.

Marion