[HPforGrownups] Bigotry or NOT? Re: CHAPDISC:HBP19,Elf Tails

[Magpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 157560

> 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".

Magpie:
And it's a bit disturbing I had to be the first to do that!

Mike:
> 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.

Magpie:
I think I snipped it because it wasn't relevent.  I know that "Squib" is 
used as a straight, descriptive term.  I wasn't claiming that it was a slur 
in itself.  I thought I made it clear that it was the way Hagrid was 
described as pulling it out in this context, to put Filch in his place, that 
sounded very much like the reason to bring out a slur.  Just as if Filch had 
said to Hagrid, "Why should I care what you say, you giant!" that would 
suggest the same thing even though "giant" in itself is just what some 
people are.

Mike:
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.

Magpie:
Yeah, it's an annoying thing.  But nobody's making up scenes here.  We're 
both discussing the moment that Hagrid calls Filch a sneakin' Squib, right? 
So nobody's strayed from canon.

Mike:>
> 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.

Magpie:
I did not claim that the term Squib in itself was exclusively a derogatory 
term.  Saying "Filch is a Squib" is not derogatory.  I said that what Hagrid 
was described as doing in the post above--asserting dominance by identifying 
Filch as a Squib-was bigotry.

Mike:>
> 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.

Magpie:
You're not reading it the way I intended it.  I was not drawing the analogy 
that they are both using terms that are exclusively slurs.  I said, and 
still believe, that what Malfoy is doing in that scene is the same as what 
Hagrid was described as doing.  Malfoy is angry at Hermione for humiliating 
him in front of the team.  She makes him feel small, and he responds by 
bringing up what she is in an attempt to assert himself as superior based on 
what she is, though what she is has nothing to do with anything.  Neither 
does Filch's being born with the inability to do magic.  Filch lives in a 
world where that makes him lacking in normal abilities, not failing to be 
blessed with special abilities.

Mike:
> 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.

Magpie:
And I'm afraid I stand by my original discomfort at the fact that for a 
series that gets so often credited at being sensitive to prejudice I so 
often hear it's never prejudiced unless the person is acting purely on 
hatred of another group.

-m