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

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 157565

 
> 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.


Potioncat:

I agree with Magpie. I'll give a little on the word bigotry, but it's 
there in some degree. 

Fill in the blank with a word of your choice, try putting a group 
that you actually belong to in it

"You sneaking_________. (Asian? Brit? Yank?)

But to my mind, a Squib is less than a wizard. It isn't a slur 
like "retard" (what to get my blood boiling, use that word!) but it 
indicates someone who has a handicap.

OK, how's this "You're sneaking special, you are!" In the US Special 
Education has transformed the meaning of the word "special." It isn't 
derogetory, but it could used as an insult. That's what Hagrid has 
done here.

Now, if Mrs. Figg had overheard, Hagrid would be mortified, I think. 
He'd be blustering along the lines of "I didn't mean anything. I 
didn't mean you. You're different than the other Squibs."

I don't think Hagrid would ever mistreat or disregard anyone because 
of being a Squib, but he really slipped when he spoke in this manner.

I think JKR has done this on purpose, from Arthur's patronizing 
attitude toward Muggles to Draco's full bore bigotry, she's 
demonstrated different aspects and degrees of prejudice.