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Posts: 55 · Joined: Apr 9, 2008 Posts: 55

Alright, I would like to start this thread off by saying that I am not a satanist, Neo-Nazi or anything of the sort. I am a pacifist, and a hippie (and not the Charles Manson version or the "I luv drugs" version). I am a student of psychology, theology, world history and philosophy. That being said, I wish to begin my little theory/speculation by putting the prejudice into context, as well as trying to explain the psychological implications.

I'm going to start with Salazaar Slytherin. The most noted 'racist' in the Wizarding World. First we're going to look at the time in which Hogwarts was founded. The 10th century. During this time, while they were no mass witch hunts, it was still punishable by death to practice Witchcraft in the Muggle world because of the rise of Christianity. Also, it was the Dark Ages. Where certainly magical folk could live in relative ease compared to muggles because of being able to do things by magic. Therefore, the muggles of that time period can easily be seen as (literally) dirty and unaccepting people. The kind to be wary to do magic around. Therefore it is not a leap to say that muggleborns were a threat to the security of Hogwarts and it's inhabitants staying hidden. Possibly even enrolling the students could be a danger to ther student's own safety.
So, if you were to believe that someone is a possible threat, you would not want to keep them near you. And again, it is not a far jump to say that he created the Chamber and bred the Basilisk to eliminate those who betrayed the school. All that is said is that he considered killing of the Muggleborns to be noble (and, if he truly believed that they would be a danger to witches and wizards everywhere, then it is not hard to see that killing someone who might get you and your kind killed is noble).
Salazaar was known for his cunning and ambitions, and it would not be unbelievable if he were also a bit paranoid.

Modern Wizarding 'Racism':
Now, this is less dependable, but also still understandable. Muggle borns could be considered much like illegal immigrants. They come in, uninvited and lay claim to what is not really theirs. They force the established (purebloods) to change how they live to accommodates the needs of those who they don't believe deserve to be there. They could also still be perceived as a threat to their life in certain areas (mostly third world countries where religion is very important) as well as a threat to their way of life (as I don't believe that all purebloods would appreciate having to deal with the 'dirty' muggle world).
It is more likely that those who hate muggle borns are unwilling to change, believing that the muggle borns should have to learn about magical society before they can even become integrated into it.
I also would like to note that the Death Eaters never actually specify what they would do about muggleborns if they had risen to power. I find it highly unlikely that they would kill all muggles and muggleborns. It seems more likely like they would evaluate muggleborns to see if they were 'worthy', or not tell them at all of what they are.

Anyways, so I wanted to see what other people thought of this. PLEASE, try to look at it in an unbiased manner.

Posts: 493 · Joined: Nov 30, 2007 Location: USA Posts: 493

I definitely agree with that. The modern view almost reminds me of the "old money" vs. "new money." The purebloods have had this heritage that they can trace for generations. They're proud of where they came from and look down on the "nouveau magic" that, in their minds, just got this gift out of nowhere and immediately wants to join their circle.
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Posts: 6409 · Joined: Nov 29, 2006 Posts: 6409

I really like how you took the perspective from there side. I have to agree that Salazar must have been threatened by muggle born wizards because they had come from a community that had hated witchcraft, they thought it was the devils doing. Although, As time went by both muggles and wizards matured and became more civilized then there 10th century counter parts. So, Why do the Pure blooded wizards, Death Eaters, & Voldemort still find muggles threatening ? My opinion is, they don't. I believe they thought they were more superior beings and they craved power. The fear Salazar might have had towards the muggles must have disappeared somewhere in the time line because the muggles grew and matured. Let's not forget as they progressed in time and believed "magic" to be an optical allusion and only important muggle leaders knew about the magic world.
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Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 12:15 am Post subject:

I actually really agree with you.

I've thought about this a lot. About what was behind each founder's thinking as to why they wanted the students they did. And ths was exactly why I figured Slytherin wanted the students he did. He didn't trust the muggles, and with good reason. They killed witches back then. My theory was that he was worried about them and perhaps even scared of what they would do.
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Posts: 17938 · Posted: April 19, 2008 9:44 am Post subject:

Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 9:49 am Post subject:

Posts: 17938 · Posted: April 19, 2008 9:59 am Post subject:

but he is making a comparison so he must have noted something similar with the muggleborns, but i dont remember that they needed any accomodating
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Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 10:04 am Post subject:

Posts: 17938 · Posted: April 19, 2008 10:27 am Post subject:

it doesnt sound to me as though witches and wizards were always made to submit, but rather on a period in history
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Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 10:30 am Post subject:

Posts: 17938 · Posted: April 19, 2008 10:34 am Post subject:

Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 10:41 am Post subject:

Posts: 17938 · Posted: April 19, 2008 10:47 am Post subject:

...................i meant in the actual times lol
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Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

Posts: 17938 · Posted: April 19, 2008 10:54 am Post subject:

i mean with the muggleborns Laughing

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Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 11:00 am Post subject:

Posts: 17938 · Posted: April 19, 2008 11:07 am Post subject:

^ but all that should've been applied for muggles anyway, so muggleborns wouldnt have to be a problem
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Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 11:08 am Post subject:

Posts: 17938 · Posted: April 19, 2008 11:13 am Post subject:

i meant the muggle-repellant part

and as we well know, its only a minority that are against muggleborns, in this case, someone who doesnt have a problem with muggles would be sent to speak with parents so that shouldnt be an inconvenience for the muggle haters
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Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 11:14 am Post subject:

Posts: 17938 · Posted: April 19, 2008 11:18 am Post subject:

but its not an accomodation for the whole wizarding world, but just for the one or two teachers, who dont hate muggles, that go to talk with the parents, so why should the muggle haters be complaining about it?
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Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 11:25 am Post subject:

Posts: 17938 · Posted: April 19, 2008 11:33 am Post subject:

i still disagree, i fail to see how muggle haters had to do any accomodation further than that of their own ego

the ones who do the "accomodations" (which are very few) are the ones who like muggles/muggleborns, so i think mugglehaters shouldnt be complaining about it
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Posts: 24645 · Posted: April 19, 2008 11:37 am Post subject:

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