"Are the Shades of Goderic's Hollow to be thus polluted?!" (was: A new thou

[naamagatus]

No: HPFGUIDX 44768

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "pippin_999" <foxmoth at q...> wrote:


Hi Pippin (and all),

Pippin said:

<snip>
> But Rowling  *is*  writing about the effects of prejudice and the 
> way it distorts our thinking. One can be vastly interested in all 
> things Muggle, and want them to be protected, without ever  
> considering them as  potential members of one's family. A 
> certain condescension creeps into Molly's and Arthur's tone 
> whenever Muggles (bless them!) are discussed. I'd be surprised 
> if Rowling doesn't develop this potential conflict further, either 
> through Ron/Hermione or Percy/Penelope or both.
> 

Mmmmm.In the Potterverse racism proper is about Muggle borns, not
Muggles. It may offend our sensibilities, but Muggles really are
inferior to wizards - therefore the reasonable attitude towards them
is precisely the kindly condecsension practiced by the Weasleys.
Muggle born wizards, however, are in all aspects equal in their powers
to wizard born wizards. (In this way JKR brings out the essential
stupidity of racism in real life. Discrimnating against people who are
equal to you on the basis of some external, superflous , completely
insignificant attribute (skin colour, for instance)). 
Looked at in this way, the Weasleys are as unprejudiced as wizards can
be. Both in their actions, attitudes and explicitly stated views, they
do *not* discriminate against Muggle born wizards.

Naama