Racism vs. Prejudice (was Potter as a Social Commentary?)

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 14720

meboriqua at aol.com wrote:

> I'm not so sure about the wizard and Muggle worlds coming together,
> but I'm definitely aware of the series having a racism theme running
> throughout.  I noticed that early on, when Malfoy was described as
> being quite blond - like a Nazi.  The term "mudblood" also reminds me
> of the various words people have used to insult Jews during the
> Holocaust, as well as how people sometimes refer to African Americans
> as dirty because of skin color.  Then there is the whole house
> elf/slave thing...

I'm not certain whether JKR is dealing with racism, or more broadly,
with prejudice and preconceptions. [Although, considering she's dealing
with prejudice against other races, here is one very rare instance when
the term "racism" would actually be correct.] I always considered the
theme to be simply the ills of unthinking prejudice, with all its
manyfold connotations.

--Amanda


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