Individual issues and JKR (was Re: Snape and the "Chosen One" )

[quigonginger]

No: HPFGUIDX 153553

> > Ginger(previously):
> My personal soapbox, about which I posted here before HBP was JKR's
> treatment of "inbred" people.  I *do* hate that term.  Hasn't
> someone come up with a politically correct term for that yet? <
> 
> xuxu:
> I think 'inbred' is fine. It's a derogatory term, but then it's meant
> to since I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) it is aimed at the
> pure-bloods who shy from exogamy because they are actually 
xenophobes.
> It's like calling racists 'racist', it is also derogatory, but then
> what?
>
Ginger now:

Inbred is fine.  It is a derogatory term.  It's what they are.

Hmm.  So by that line of reasoning.  Mudblood is fine.  It's a 
derogatory term, but that's what they are.  Just ask Draco.

The difference in calling a racist a racist and calling someone inbred 
is that the racist chooses to be racist and can change, should they 
decide to do so.  

Someone who is genetically homogenous (thank you, Catherine!) doesn't 
choose to be that way any more than someone chooses to be white or 
black or short or tall.  

There are many derogatory terms for various races and physical 
disabilities (one can't choose one's race or abilities), religions 
(one does choose, but believing as one wishes ought to be a basic 
right), sexual orientation (one could fake it, but they shouldn't have 
to).

There are also derogatory terms for the choices we make.  Some can be 
very harsh.  Slut, bitch, drunk, mooch, pedaphile.  All nasty terms, 
which may or may not be earned.  

I would put inbred in with the former as one can't choose one's 
heritage.

Back to canon, as this is wandering far off.

JKR has made the WW virtually free from gender bias and racial bias.  
One can't choose one's race or gender.  All are equal.  Draco has no 
problem with Blaise, who is black, nor does he dispute MM's authority 
when she catches him out of bounds. 

He does, on the other hand, have a huge problem with Muggles 
and "Mudbloods".  Even the term he uses announces his disdain. JKR is 
pretty clear that she doesn't agree with this.

What I wonder is why she will champion Hermione (Muggle-born), Hagrid 
(halfbreed) and Lupin (disabled), but allow the inbred issue to go 
unchallenged.  

But as I said before, my soapbox isn't her soapbox.  Perhaps she only 
has so many causes she can speak for and still get out good books.  
Maybe she needs a stereotype that is still acceptable so she has 
someone to look down on.  It's only human nature that we want to think 
that there's someone out there who is inferior to ourselves.  No one 
likes to be low man on the totem pole, so to speak.

Or maybe she thinks us genetically homogenous folks are too dumb to 
read the books. (kidding)

At any rate, one of her main themes is about choices, and how one's 
actions and character are more important than the circumstances of 
one's birth.  

That's why I was disappointed.  It seems to go against what she has 
previously said so clearly.

Ginger, who didn't choose her family, but is awfully fond of them and 
wouldn't trade them for the world.