[HPforGrownups] Re: Article

[Irene Mikhlin]

No: HPFGUIDX 41259

Just as I was struggling to put my thoughts to words,
Laura said it all much more coherently:

> It really alarms me the way people here can be so dead-set on one thing
that they take little pieces of canon that support their views and
completely disregard the rest of it.  I mean, I know I'm not innocent of it
*at all*...but, esp. with this "is JKR sexist" debate -- to me, it seems
like people just latch on to bits of the book where female characters behave
"badly" and are blind to the fact that there are just as many male
characters acting just as foolishly.  So, what?  To me, this suggests that
the *readers* more readily forgive Colin, Neville, Justin, and Ron (think
about all the inane theories and prejudices this one's come up with) for
being silly/immature/etc. because they are male, but if Lavender or Pavarti
do the same thing, WATCH OUT.  What's even more disturbing is that nearly
all of the people I see doing this (on this list and off) *are* female.  So
who's sexist?

Yes, on other lists I gave up completely and never try to argue this issue.
Ron attacks Draco about Hermione - he must be a sexist pig who does not
believe she can protect herself.
But when Ginny does the same in the bookshop, does she not believe Harry can
protect himself? Oh, that means nothing, isolated accident.
Hogwarts has two female founders? Oh, that happened during isolated period
in magical history, when the society was more equal. Or even better one -
they were not important houses. But McGonagall is a head of the most
important house? Oh, but she could not kill that dementor, so she is
worthless. <g>
 Ad infinitum.

Irene