A sincere apology to all of you Latin (was boggart) patronus or father?

[Maria]

No: HPFGUIDX 18827

+There is only one way to begin and end, and that is to say I am sincerely sorry for the offence given. It is better not to offer any type of excuse, but to say simply that I was deeply affected to see how much offence I gave. The intention was not sexist, truly, simply poorly expressed...very poorly as I can now see.

May I also thank Mr. Vander Ark for expressing himself as a true gentleman...with great gentleness.  It was something beautiful to see, even if I am the culprit who called it forth from him.  No, don't leave the discussion.  That is for me to do.  

Please, one and all, forgive my rashness in answering and for bringing such a cloud on a wonderful group.  It really isn't true --you can't teach an old dog a new trick-- one can always learn, especially if people are willing to be kind in helping.  God bless you, Mr. Vander Ark and Amy.

Maria
L.D.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Steve Vander Ark 
  To: HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 4:14 PM
  Subject: [HPforGrownups] Re: OT: Latin (was boggart) patronus or father?


  --- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Lumen Dei" <lumen_dei at f...> wrote:
  > Well, well.  I find it interesting that the two who took exception 
  to my reflection on "Expecto Patronus" are both men...


  Whoa. Okay, deep breath...

  1) I do not take exception to your reflection at all. I loved it. 
  There are many ways to interpret the books, which is why we all love 
  them so. They're deeper than most books. I enjoy and appreciate many 
  people's reflections on anything Harry Potter.

  2) "are both men..." This has honestly made as close to angry as 
  anything on this list has ever done. Those who have read my postings 
  over the months and years know that I keep a pretty cool head. I do 
  not mind stating my opinion and certainly don't mind being disagreed 
  with. I agreed that my "expectorare" was not as good a choice for the 
  Latin root for "expecto" and even changed my Lexicon entry to reflect 
  my new understanding. I am always willing to learn. But to imply that 
  the reason I don't think that JKR is intentionally making a social 
  statement in her choice of a particular spell incantation is because 
  I'm a man is wrong and is offensive. I can deconstruct with the best 
  of them and I am perfectly capable of reaching non-sexist, unbiased 
  conclusions about things like this. I'm a songwriter, for pity's 
  sake, so I can certainly see the more poetic side of things in life, 
  even though I'm a man. I certainly would never suggest that you went 
  the poetic route because you're female. That would be equally as 
  offensive.

  Okay, another deep breath.

  I am removing myself from this discussion - sadly, because I was 
  enjoying it quite a bit - but I think for the best. I have better 
  ways to spend my time.

  Steve Vander Ark
  The Harry Potter Lexicon
  http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon


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