Discussions vs. Inflammations

[John Walton]

No: HPFGUIDX 20057

Joe said:

> Why is it okay for Susan to make statements like the one she did and she
> gets to go about her merry way and yet when I voice an opinion IN RESPONSE
> TO HER I'm bashed by moderators more than five times inside of a few hours?
> I really hope one of you will field that question. So far none of you has
> had the guts. Why is her opinion valid and mine offensive? You won't answer
> because you can't justify it.

Sure I can justify it, and I will. As those listees I've met will testify, I
certainly have the gut(s)! I do, however, go into this with some trepidation
as I'm not entirely sure that you will accept my justification...but I'll
try anyway.

Susan's opinion:

> She said that there was no way in hell that Harry and Hermione would
> ever become involved, that Remus Lupin and Sirius Black had been
> lovers at Hogwarts, and that Crookshanks would play a major role in
> the Order of the Phoenix.

She makes a *jocular* (yes, a funny ha-ha, une blague) post that you appear
to have blown all out of proportion. She makes no comment that could be
considered as abusive, defamatory or inflammatory by a reasonable person.

Joe's opinion:

> Still, I'll be damned if I'd ever put something in front of my kid that
> validates that kind of lifestyle and tries to portray it as normal.  The
> little joke that was played on this group was nothing short of sick.

You reply in a *serious* post, using language that is, in our opinion and in
the opinion of the members who have contacted us, offensive, abusive,
inflammatory and intolerant.

> Respect goes both ways - if you're going to respect someone's right to smear
> the reputation of 2 major characters for their own pleasure and for no better
> reason than her desire to create a new platform for their agenda and to whip
> up controversy, you ought to...no you MUST respect the right of any detractor
> to voice his/her views.

Umm...Joe, you do seem to be forgetting that these are fictional characters.
*They* couldn't give a fig whether or not they're smeared. Furthermore, I
don't believe that Susan's reasoning was to create a platform for her agenda
-- rather, I think that she was trying to make us laugh. Don't assume that
all gay people are always pushing some agenda. I don't assume that all
Christians, or all black people, or all Democrats, or all South Carolinians
perpetually push their agendas on me.

> I have my opinions about the homosexual lifestyle so I *MUST* be a
> misogynist and racist too, right? I must have missed my "End Womens'
> Suffrage" and "White Power" posts in my juggernaught of homophobic rantings.
> Could you point out where they appeared?

I was simply pointing out instances of accepted prejudice in the past which
have now become anathema to our society. It is my fervent believe that
homophobia will go the same way as slavery. I was in no way accusing you of
misogyny or racism.

> I found the speculation of Black and Lupin being lovers inflammatory and
> offensive.

We realised that quite early on, when you called gay people "sick".

The correct course of action would have been to contact the Moderators with
a note about the situation. Here's an example:

"Hi there. I'm writing to complain about Post #00000, where Janine
Listmember made a comment about Sirius and Remus being gay. I was offended
by this, and would prefer not to read such material. Please ask her to
cease.

Thank you.

-Joe Listmember"

What we would likely have done is point out to you that, as this is an
adult-geared group, discussion of particular relationships (no matter the
orientation) between characters is part of our reason for being. We would
have reminded you that any discussion of relationships ("Shipping") should
be carried out in a mature manner, without resorting to terms of abuse or
defamatory language, e.g. "sick".

> It's just that my opinion is far less politically correct than
> the allowance of a homosexual to voice his/her views without backlash.

Again, we were not taking issue with your opinion; rather, the way in which
you stated it was offensive and abusive. Political correctness has nothing
to do with it -- we have discussed many topics which would be sensitive in
politically correct circles.

> What does a rumor have to do with the canon in any realm outside of Political
> Correctness?

Firstly, it was a joke, not a rumor. Secondly, we term anything that JKR
herself has said or written (interviews, books, etc) as canon. See our VFAQ
in the Files Section for more info there. I can only wish that you'd read it
before posting.

> When you slap my beliefs in the face by flaunting yours in a defiant and
> insensitive manner, you are villifying my beliefs and opinons whether you
> care to admit it or not.

If you feel that Susan's comments slapped your beliefs in the face, or that
they were insensitive or vilifying your beliefs, that's regrettable. Perhaps
the tone of our list is incompatible with you? We have no intention of
taking any action whatsoever against Susan for her post. We understand your
argument, but we cannot see your evidence.

> Your position is crystal clear... and it stinks.  Feel free to kick me off
> the group if you so choose. After all, it's a whole lot more convenient to
> silence your enemies than it is to engage them now isn't it?

We have no intention of silencing you, nor do we consider you an enemy. I'm
pleased to say that I can't remember one person that we've forcibly
unsubscribed. However, I would again recommend that you look somewhere else
for your discussion needs if you are offended by homosexuality.

Regards,

--John, 
for the Moderator Team