Bigotry or NOT? Re: CHAPDISC:HBP19,Elf Tails

[Mike]

No: HPFGUIDX 157553

> > Mike:
> 
> > But why should we? Where do you or Magpie get your basis for
> > pronouncing "Squib" is a *bigoted* or *racial* slur? 
> > <Magpie snipped the remainder of my 1st paragraph>
> 
> Magpie:
> I didn't pronounce it a racial slur.  I described it just the way 
> Steve described it, as referring to Filch's physical limitations.  
> Like calling him "wheelchair boy."  Which I think any child would 
> recognize in this context as choosing to attack someone's disability 
> or their status as a member of the underclass instead of whatever 
> you're angry at in order to put them in their place, and that's 
> inappropriate.  

Magpie's earlier post:
I wasn't going to reply to this, but just in case...we do all realize 
that what you described is classic bigotry, right? That Hagrid is 
asserting his "dominance" by reminding Filch of his inferior 
circumstances of birth? It's the same way that Malfoy responds to 
Hermione when Hermione makes him feel low on the Quidditch Pitch. 
Whether or not Hagrid hates Filch for being a Squib doesn't matter as 
much as the fact that he expresses his hatred by going straight 
for "Squib."


Mike:
Yes, you didn't pronounce it a "racial slur", you pronounced it 
as "classic bigotry". But I also used the word *or*, in referencing 
your post *or* Eddie's post which came after your post. Which makes 
you the first person to elevate Hagrid's words to the level 
of "bigotry".

I also noted that you snipped the rest of my first paragraph wherein I 
questioned the notion that the name "Squib" is a bigoted term. I won't 
repeat it here, but you know what I said. I also noticed that you 
chose to ignore what I said and continue to apply your definition of 
the term. But I presented canon for my point, where's yours? I find 
that curious when this response is at the bottom of a long post 
wherein you berate Steve for not adhering to canon.

So I'll use the same argument you used on Steve. You have appllied 
your opinion as to the harshness of the term then expounded based on 
your opinion. And you've done it in direct contradiction to what we 
know from canon. 

Then you try to draw a parallel to Malfoy calling Hermione 
a "mudblood". Well we know that only bigoted witches and wizards use 
the term "mudblood" whereas the term "Squib" is bandied about by 
everyone *including* the Squibs themselves. In reference to 
geneology, "Squib" seems no more derogatory in canon than the 
term "half-blood". Your analogy doesn't hold water. 

I also don't accept Steve's analogy to "wheelchair boy". There is a 
huge difference between "disability" and being blessed with special 
abilities. If you called one "slowpoke" because they can't run as fast 
as an Olympic sprinter, I would not chastise you for using a bigoted 
term, would you? 

So I stand by my original statement with one word change, to wit:
Sensitivity to prejudice is admirable, accusing another of "bigotry"
without conclusive justification is reprehensible.