[HPforGrownups] Re: Snape and purity of blood

[T.M. Sommers]

No: HPFGUIDX 71945

Echa Schneider wrote:
> On Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at 05:31 AM, T.M. Sommers wrote:
> 
>>Here is my take on Snape:
>>
>>He was a typical Slytherin, and shared Malfoy's and Riddle's
>>views on bloodlines.  He joined the DE because he agreed with
>>their program of restricting magic to 'purebloods'.  However, he
>>has some scruples.  He had no problem with tormenting muggles and
>>muggle-borns, but he objected on principle to killing.
> 
>>This theory does not require Snape to have changed his views
>>regarding purity of blood.  He can still be a bigot.  It also
>>does not require him to be a saint, or to be an ultra-pacifist.
> 
>>I compare Snape to a Klansman who is all in favor of burning
>>crosses, but who draws the line at lynching, and turns state's
>>evidence.
> 
> Snape, while a despicable human being, has never, to my recollection, 
> shown any sign of being a racist. Purity of blood, in fact, seems 
> rather unimportant to him - look at his treatment of Neville.
> 
> If anyone can provide any examples of Snape implying that he believes 
> purebloods are superior, I would be interested to see it. It's possible 
> that I overlooked it.

The evidence is that he was not only a death eater, but was in 
Voldemort's inner circle.  It is as believable that he would get 
into such a position while disagreeing with Voldemort's core 
beliefs as it is that someone who believes in racial equality 
would become Grand Imperial Poobah (or whatever it's called) of 
the KKK.   Put another way, if you know that someone is or was in 
the inner circle of the KKK, it is safe to conclude that that 
person is a racist.  Very strong, positive evidence of reform 
would be needed to reverse that conclusion.