Dumbledore's awarding of points PS/SS

[Laura]

No: HPFGUIDX 56971

Darrin wrote:

> > >
Again, Dumbledore was sending the message that it is better to EARN 
points for your own house than to plot ways of making other houses 
lose points. 
> > 

Now me (Laura): Agreed, this is true.  BUT (There's always a but)

Darrin:
> > >
He's also sending the message that Ron and Neville's courage, 
Hermione's cleverness and Harry's honor are worth more than Draco's 
cunning.
> > >

Laura again:
Isn't that exactly the point I was trying to make?  Let's ignore the 
whole "Why isn't Hermione in Ravenclaw" issue for a minute and think 
about this.  Honor and courage= Gryffindor.  Cunning= Slytherin.  And 
Dumbledore is trying to send what message, did you say?

This is exactly my point- Slytherin has a bad rap.  Hagrid 
incorrectly states that all of the Dark Wizards were from Slytherin, 
and everyone has a negative stereotype against them.  And in my 
opinion, Dumbledore perpetuates this stereotype as much as anyone 
else.

Sure, some of the Slytherins are nasty- but isn't that the point that 
JKR is trying to make?  Good and bad is not black and white.  Look at 
Snape- Head of Slytherin house and a nasty, vicious person- who 
risked his life by turning away from LV.

I'm dying for this stereotype against Slytherin to be gotten rid of, 
and I honestly don't think Dumbledore does much to abolish it, 
despite his open mind and second chances.

Also, why is cunning necessarily a bad thing?  How do you think Snape 
collected information for Dumbledore?  

A huge theme of the books is unity, and another is that no one is 
perfect.  And I think Dumbledore and Slytherin tie these themes 
together very nicely.

-Laura
Who loves Dumbledore and finds this only fault