Thoughts about Racism in HP (Now very LONG)

[mcdee1980]

No: HPFGUIDX 102305

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Barbara D. Poland-Waters" <bd-
bear at v...> wrote:
While
> Blacks and Jews certainly have reason to be cautious because of 
each groups
> history of persecution, I don't think the  same type of large 
factions have
> developed (similar to the DEs/Slytherins-we-know) who have such a 
widespread
> bias against their former oppressors (not that there aren't smaller 
groups
> of these people, I'm just comparing them with the whole pure-blood 
mindset
> in WW), nor do I think they have ever grown to a large enough group 
overall
> to be a threat to non-Jews or non-Blacks the way the DEs/Slytherins-
we-know
> have targeted Muggles and Mudbloods. So in thinking all this, I was
> wondering if JKR actually did have some time of modern equivalent 
in mind
> for the pure-bloods and the Muggles. . .perhaps I don't know my 
history well
> enough to spot it.


Lady McBeth:
Actually,  I think there are several examples of groups responding 
agressively to former oppressors.  In most cases it would appear that 
the formerly downtrodden have been given a more level playing field, 
or the situation has become reversed, but the hatred still exists 
between the two groups.  Examples of this . . . the Crusades, the 
current (and extremely long lasting) situation in Isreal between the 
Isrealis and the Palestinians, any number of ethnic squabbles 
occuring in northern Africa, etc etc.  The idea of ethnic cleansing 
outside of Hitler's adaptation seems to be frequently overlooked in 
world affairs.  
In the WW/RW relationship there are differences.  It is obvious that 
WW/RW leaders are aware and in contact with one another.  It is only 
when we come down to general society that the relationship changes.  
Most everyday muggles don't know the wizard world exists.  They 
probably haven't thought about it since the burning times unless they 
majored in history.  We are also presented with two different views 
of those muggles who do know about the WW.  1) Positive=The Evans, 
Lily's Parents, The Grangers, etc who are delighted or at least 
supportive of the family witch or wizard. 2) Negative=The Dursleys, 
Tom Riddle Sr etc who fear the magic world probably because they 
don't understand it.  The same goes for the wizard view of muggle 
borns and half bloods; positive and supportive vs negative and lack 
of understanding.  
It is my opinion, after years of study the the negative viewpoint 
comes from two possible sources.  First is the scapegoat theory.  
Groups have been persecuted over time because those in power need 
someone else to blame for their problems.  This works incredibly well 
in gaining popular support; look at Hitler's success in Germany and 
the Catholic success in various situations.  Persecuted groups in 
these situations are identified as problem causing and inferior.  The 
second theory is the lazy leader complex.  In this scenario a 
powerful group needs something done, but is too lazy to do it 
themselves.  Examples of this are black slavery, Jews in Egypt, and 
so forth and so on.  This second theory does not fit the HP model.  
It appears that we then must go with model 1.  It of course makes 
perfect sense.  Leaders must find someone to blame problems on to 
maintain power and teach the rest of their world that non-magic folk 
are inferior!   Thats just my two cents, okay so its more like 
four . . .
LMB, who should go back to school so she can use this as her doctoral 
dissertation!