[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape and purity of blood

[T.M. Sommers]

No: HPFGUIDX 76368

Wendy St John wrote:
> oh have faith wrote:
> 
>>Besides, apart from one "mudblood" shouted in rage when he was a 
>>defensive, embarassed fifteen year old, there's no evidence in the 
>>books that Snape dislikes the muggle-born any more than he dislikes 
>>absolutely everybody else.  The only evidence we have about his 
>>current beliefs is that he works for the Order - and that suggests 
>>the contrary.  He's an equal opportunities hater!  
> 
> To which T.M. Sommers replied:
> 
> "In the real world, anyone using such an epithet would be 
> instantly and permanently branded a racist.  I see no reason to 
> make a special case of Snape."
> 
> Now me (Wendy):
> 
> I *strongly* disagree with this statement. I personally have a hard time
> branding anyone "instantly and permanently" as anything. 

I'm not saying it's right, but that is exactly what happens in 
the real world.  Publically call a person of African descent a 
certain epithet (considered so vile that it can't even be uttered 
by reference), join the Klan, and then see if anyone ever 
believes that you aren't a racist, no matter what you do or say 
later in life.

> Do you not allow
> that people can change their beliefs about things? 

Of course they can, but in the real world no one will believe it. 
  Certainly they won't believe it on the kind of evidence being 
used to 'prove' that Snape is pure of heart.

In Snape's case, not only did he use that epithet, he became a 
DE.  Not only a DE, but in Voldemort's inner circle.  Even now he 
is head of Slytherin house.  Against that there is not a shred of 
positive evidence that he has renounced his former beliefs.  Not 
once has he said, "All that pure-blood stuff is a load of hooey."