FF whitewashing - HG's race - Cho - Glasses - That Dratted Map

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 20567

Ebony wrote:

>What annoys me are several fanfics that I have read in which the 
author has
>decided to make Angelina white on purpose, saying, "I always saw her 
as
>being white in my head... I identify with Angelina a lot, so I'm 
making her
>white."  (I am not making this up--this was found in an actual 
author's note
>on ff.net.)  I've also seen Parvati, Dean, and others similarily
>whitewashed.

Yeesh, that is really offensive.

>Maybe I'm weird, but I don't have to *look* like a character in order 
to
>identify with them.

You're not weird, just (a) more imaginative and (b) better trained.  I 
think blacks get a lot more practice in identifying with whites than 
vice versa; women get more practice identifying with male characters 
than vice versa; GLBT folks have more practice in identifying with 
hetero characters than vice versa.  It's part of being a member of the 
more invisible class.  (This is the US.  Other cultures' mileage will 
vary.)

Catlady wrote:

>In the first three books, I thought Hermione was a light-colored 
'black'
>whose parents or grandparents had come to Britain from the Caribbean.

What happened in GF to make you change your mind?  I don't recall any 
clues about Hermione's race, except that she blushes so her skin can't 
be too dark.  Her hair and eyes are brown, her hair is bushy--she 
could easily be biracial.

Dave wrote:

>I think the "Evil Cho" perception comes from our (misdirected) love
>for Harry, like a mother who assumes that any girl who has the
>effrontery not to be in love with her boy *must* be a slut.

For all we know, she =is= in love with him.  Does anyone really think 
she would have said no if he'd asked her before Cedric did?  The poor 
idiot put it off too long.  Of course, she could have asked him.

"Evil Cho" probably comes from a mix of protective-Mom and the 
competitive aspect--if you're in love with Harry, you prefer to think 
Cho is a slime.  (This doesn't seem to be applied to Hermione, 
though--yet.  If Harry falls for her, she can expect curses via owl 
from frustrated fanfic writers.) 

Devika wrote:

>Sorry if I'm missing something, but what was the original argument 
about
>glasses?

It's two observations in one:  (1) wizards either don't know how to, 
or don't care to, cure near/farsightedness--some of the most powerful 
wizards we encounter wear them (Dumbledore, McGonagall, James)--and 
(2) all the characters who wear glasses (unless I've forgotten 
someone) are Gryffindors.  So is there some significance to glasses?  
Or does JKR just like 'em?

Pippin wrote:

>When Snape finds the parchment on Harry, he suspects that Sirius
>has given Harry the parchment in hopes of luring him out of bounds.

and Magda wrote:

>He's got what he wants: Harry has a map once owned by James and gang; 
>Lupin is the only gang member on the premises;
>Harry now has the map; ergo Lupin gave it to him; the map allows
>Harry to get out of Hogwarts without being detected; therefore the
>map is a Bad Thing that undercuts the efforts of everyone and their
>pet rabbit to protect Harry.

Both of these theories appeal to me, but depend upon Snape's knowing 
that it's a map.  Do you think he does?  How?

Magda wrote <spot-on analysis of Snape's attitude toward rules and 
authority>:

> All of which is a long prelude to my real points: to Snape, going to
> Dumbledore would not be "ratting", it would be bringing a malefactor
> to justice. 

I agree.  So why, in your view, =doesn't= he go to Dumbledore?

Amy Z

--------------------------------------------------------
   "Ha, ha, ha," said Hermione sarcastically.  "Goblins 
 don't need protection.  Haven't you been listening to 
 what Professor Binns has been telling us about goblin 
 rebellions?"
   "No," said Harry and Ron together.
                          -HP and the Goblet of Fire 
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