In defense of considering pureblood preference racism

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 107027


SOF wrote : 
> The Pureblood/Muggleborn conflict is clearly racism, not a caste 
> system. If it were a caste system, both groups would be aware that 
> they were partcipating in it and know there places.

Del replies :
And it would be *exactly* this way if the purebloods had it their way.
The Muggleborn kids would be grouped together at Hogwarts (if taken in
at all), and they would be taught from Day 1 that they are inferior to
the purebloods, and that they'd better know their place. The
purebloods would *automatically* get all the positions of power, while
the Muggleborns would be confined to the subservient roles.
The belief of the purebloods might be compared to racism, but the
*system* they would establish if they could would look very much like
a caste system indeed : purebloods > halfbloods > Muggleborns > Muggles

SOF wrote :
> The fact that Rowling hasn't presented any color-based racism 
> doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. It's hard to believe that those 
> who grow up in the Muggle world would entirely abandon their 
> upbringing in favor of a life of magic. Prejudices acquired in a 
> Muggle life must seep into the Magical world. Many people maintain 
> prejudices without making overt expressions. 

Del replies :
It makes sense, but it's not presented in the canon. We *never* hear
of any kid, Muggleborn or not, having any problem with the skin colour
of another kid. The closest to a racial insult we get is Pansy
comparing Angelina's hairstyle to an octopus, but that could be just a
girl-type of insult (girls *are* quite often self-conscious regarding
their hair, even if they don't show it : just think of Hermione in the
PoA movie "Is *that* what my hair looks like from behind !?" - even
though my husband says she was not referring to her hair at all :-)
Other than that, we never see any kind of colour-based racism.

On the other hand, we do see the wizard prejudice seeping into
Hermione, when she doesn't mind Mr Roberts being Obliviated over and
over again. I'm sure she knows that multiple Obliviate spells are not
good, and yet she doesn't protest or worry for him.

SOF wrote : 
> There is clearly a caste system within the magical world. 
> House-elves were created specifically to draw water and hew wood. 
> The laws that restrict them are strikingly similar to the laws 
> governing American slaves (ie. no possession of wands).

Del replies :
First, I don't remember reading that the House-Elves were *created*.
They are magical beings that exist, just like Centaurs or Merpeople.
They weren't created.
Second, they are not humans. They are of a different species. So the
control wizards exert on them cannot be compared to a caste system,
which is supposed to take place between members of the *same* race.
This control is a perfect example of pure and simple racism : you are
of a different race, that I decide to consider inferior, so I can make
you my slave.

Hum, now that I think of it, I'm wondering if things are not both more
complicated and more simple than that. If I'm not mistaken,
genetically speaking, for two species to be entirely unrelated, they
must be unable to produce a fertile offspring. We know Giants and
Wizards can have kids, and I'd love to know if Hagrid is fertile. But
for example we know *for sure* that Veelas and wizards can have
fertile offspring, since Fleur is 1/4 Veela, which would mean that
wizards and Veelas are two different breeds of the same species (like
great danes and chihuahuas are two different breeds of the same
species : dog) Now what about the House-Elves, the Goblins, the
Centaurs ? Could they all be different breeds of the Human Species,
not different species altogether ? That would explain Umbridge's
insult of "half-breed". But that would also mean that the wizards are
exploiting their "cousins", like as though great danes decided to
exploit chihuahuas : a mix of classic racism and caste system !

And of course, the logical question now would be : are wizards and
Muggles 2 different breeds of the same species ? Like Siamese and Main
Coon cats ? 

Del