A Brief C.R.A.B.ber's Manifesto

[L. Inman]

No: HPFGUIDX 25871

Hello all --

First of all, thanks to everyone who has subscribed to C.R.A.B. so 
far.  Your badges will be arriving by owl shortly.  :)

Thanks also to Cindy, who asked specifically for the raison d'etre of 
C.R.A.B.  I'm glad you asked.  It's not just about magical talent:  
see, I was going to call our club Cut Ron a Break and Stop Saying 
He's Not a Good Enough Person to be Harry's or Hermione's Friend, but 
that wouldn't fit on the badge.  So that's the heading of our 
manifesto.  ;)

You don't have to be a Ron *fanatic* to be a member of C.R.A.B.  You 
don't even have to be an R/H shipper.  All you have to do is feel a 
little indignation whenever someone makes sweeping and unfavorable 
generalizations about Ron's character.  Or compares him with 
Wormtail, to Wormtail's advantage.  Or does the same with other 
characters including Draco Malfoy, Percy, etc., in such a way as to 
be merely dismissive.

That said, I as the founding member of C.R.A.B. will welcome 
criticisms of Ron, granted that they are grounded in specific canon 
examples, arguable from more than one side, and made in the spirit of 
mutual inquiry.  Which is what most people tend to ask for concerning 
their favorite characters, I've noticed.  (Snape, anyone?)

I realize I'm sticking my neck out somewhat by declaring Ron so 
eminently defensible; especially since there are 3 books to go and 
even I don't believe Harry, Ron and Hermione will get through them 
without some separation, misunderstanding, or stupidity -- and if 
such happens I expect Ron to come in for his share of the stupidity.  
Nevertheless, I have a great deal of confidence in Ron to come out 
all right in the end -- the continuities in his character suggest he 
will have a rough time and then land on his feet, just as the 
continuities in Harry's character suggest he has unrealized 
potential, and Hermione's suggest she's about to come into her own.

It might be noted from the above that building up Ron does not depend 
on tearing down Harry, Hermione, or anyone else; but occasionally a 
just reproportion of blame is called for in discussion of sundry 
canon incidents.

Position thus stated; hat thus doffed; badge (or gauntlet) thus 
proffered.  :)

Lisa I.