Hermione's rude comment

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 74541

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Wanda Sherratt" 
<wsherratt3338 at r...> wrote:
 So now I find it rather disorienting that Hermione just 
> casually tosses off what in the wizarding world is basically a 
> racial insult, and nothing comes of it. Nobody speaks to her, 
>nobody  comments on it, nobody even raises an eyebrow or 
>looks troubled or  surprised.

Oh yes, they do.

"He's not a horse, he's a Centaur!" said Lavender, sounding 
shocked.

It isn't the first time Hermione has come out with  something like 
this, either. In PoA  ch. 17:

"NO!" Hermione screamed. "Harry, don't trust him, he's been 
helping Black get into the castle, he wants you dead too--*he's a 
werewolf*!" (emphasis Rowling's) 

Try changing "werewolf" to the  ethnic signifier of your choice and 
see how it sounds. 

I think Rowling is trying to show us just how insidious prejudice 
is. Even a well-meaning person like Hermione can fall prey to 
stereotyping.

Pippin