Muggles, Mudbloods, and Bigotry -- the Lessons of Harry Potter for Today

I've been on a role, as someone recently pointed out, being that I've been writing about anti-Islamic bigotry.  Now not all opposition to the building of the mosque in New York is an expression of bigotry, but there is a definite component to the debate that is full-blown bigotry.  Some of this, of course, is simply politics.  Just as Communists made for a good straw man during the cold war (though socialists seem to be making a comeback), now immigrants and Muslims seem to be a good target.  Several years ago I wrote a column for the Lompoc Record on this topic, using as my example the conversation about muggles and mudbloods that is present in the Harry Potter books and films (this is fresh in my mind because I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on TV last night!). 

As you prepare to read this piece from 2007, I want to add in a quotation shared with me by my good friend and fellow pastor Glen Miles.  It's a quote from George Bush -- from 2002.  I've not been a big fan of the former president, but on this topic he is right on target.

"America rejects bigotry. We reject every act of hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith America values and welcomes peaceful people of all faiths -- Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and many others. Every faith is practiced and protected here, because we are one country. Every immigrant can be fully and equally American because we're one country. Race and color should not divide us, because America is one country."

President George W. Bush Promotes Compassionate Conservatism
Parkside Hall, San Jose, California
April 30, 2002

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Faith in the Public Square
Lompoc Record
August 19, 2007

No one likes to think of themselves as bigots, but unfortunately bigotry remains a present challenge to our society. Discussions of immigration policy, national security, even marriage often contain veiled and not so veiled statements about “them.” “Them” is code for those we deem undesirable; those who would steal our jobs, pollute our culture, waste our tax payer dollars, or undermine our morality. Yes, bigotry remains a problem in our day.

I happen to be a big Harry Potter fan, having just finished reading “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” and as I read I couldn't help but hear the book's author speaking to this very issue that plagues our world today. Supposedly this is a series of children's books, but they are much more, for many adults have found not just hours of enjoyment, but deep meaning in this increasingly mature series of books. The books offer insight into such virtues as friendship, loyalty, being true to one's self, and the importance of standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

J.K. Rowling seems to have understood the old adage that truth must be caught rather than taught, and therefore it's quite possible to read these books, especially the final volume, as a protest against the rising tide of bigotry in our world today.

In the case of Harry Potter's world, the bigotry comes from the wizarding world's “Purebloods,” and it's directed against “Muggles” (non-wizards) and “Muggle-borns” or “Mudbloods,” as radical “Purebloods” love to call them. “Mud-bloods” are wizards like Hermione Granger and Harry's mother, Lily, who're without any apparent “wizarding” ancestry. Their “powers” are therefore seen as somehow illegitimate - even stolen.

This bigotry among wizards might be traced to the fact that they must live in the shadows, something many resent. But it's also born of a sense of superiority, and as we all know - “might makes right.” Their desire to keep things pure leads some radicalized “Purebloods” to engage in a policy of oppression and even murder. And those “purebloods” who sympathize with these “lower beings” are seen as traitors - “blood-traitors” - who must be marginalized for their love of “Muggles” and “Mudbloods.” But even our heroes must learn something about bigotry, and it's the “Muggle-born” Hermione Granger who is their teacher. She helps her friends see other non-human beings - like the house-elves who are essentially slaves - as having dignity and honor in their own right.

If any of this sounds familiar, it should for this morality-play sheds light on our own histories and experiences. A fanatical concern for racial purity stood at the heart of the Nazi's Aryan ideology, but they're not alone in history. Consider our own American legacy of slavery, Jim Crow, and the Trail of Tears, just to give a few examples.

Yes, this isn't just a series of fantasy stories meant for children (indeed this is a series of books that has matured with the original readers of the series). It is a word of wisdom that we can learn from as we deal with a world that's becoming increasingly diverse and yet increasingly intolerant. Indeed, it can be said that bigotry is on the rise everywhere in the world today. Here in America the traditional recipients of bigotry - African-Americans, Roman Catholics, Asians, and Jews - have been joined by Latinos, gays, Muslims, and immigrants of all stripes, but especially those who hail from Mexico and Central America.

It seems that we regularly read and hear laments about the threats to American security and culture from those who are different. Despite the fact - with the possible exception of Native Americans - that there is no such thing as a truly “blue-blooded American” - we all stem from immigrant stock - some believe themselves to be more American than others.

But such bigotry is never right and is often a pretext to discrimination and to violence. It is, in fact, repugnant to what's right and honorable and decent, and contrary to the teachings of my own faith tradition. Which is why, of course, we should heed Harry's message and stand up for what is right!

Dr. Bob Cornwall is pastor of First Christian Church of Lompoc.  He blogs at http://pastorobobcornwall.blogspot.com.



August 19, 2007

The President's Religion -- why the fuss?

Recent polls suggest that a significant number of Americans (18%) believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim.  A near majority isn't sure.  What does that mean?  Well, it could mean that he is our first Muslim President.  But the FACTS lie elsewhere.  Barack Obama is a Christian -- by baptism and by confession and by practice. 

So, why all the confusion?  Well, have you checked your email box lately?  If you're like me, you get a barrage of emails nearly every day that pass on "information" that is contrary to facts.  Many of these emails imply, suggest, or declare that Barack Obama is a Muslim (not that there's anything wrong with that -- unless you believe as some do that being Muslim is incompatible with being an American).  In fact, some suggest that Islam and democracy are incompatible, which really undercuts the two wars launched in the middle east over the past decade in the name of DEMOCRACY.  Yes, George Bush couched the Iraqi Invasion in terms of liberty and freedom and democracy.  But if democracy and Islam are incompatible, as many on the Right seem to suggest, then we've made a major mistake in going to war (of course many of us made that point years ago, but for different reasons).

Anyway, back to the confusion.  There is confusion because there are deliberate attempts to undercut the President's leadership.  It goes back to the campaign, when opponents loved to intone his middle name, in an attempt to raise worries in the American people.  During the campaign, the Obama folks did their best to respond, but lately they've been trying to govern during trying times and haven't had time to address these LIES.  That 41% of Republicans by into these LIES is disturbing.  It raises questions about what GOP leaders are saying to their people? 

None of this, of course, is helpful to resolving the problems facing the American people.  It is merely a politically motivated distraction, that needs to be addressed, and so people like me and Chuck Currie must make the point in the public debate.  Chuck points out that not only is President Barack Obama is a CHRISTIAN, until recently he was a member of Trinity UCC until hullabaloo over remarks made by his pastor at the time forced him to sever ties.  As a help to those who might wonder, Chuck provides a UCC statement of faith.   

Like many Presidents of late, Obama has found it difficult to find a place of worship, and so has chosen to do so in more controlled ways -- such as at Camp David.  He does have a core of spiritual advisers whom he consults and prays with regularly.  Two of these people are the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) --my denomination -- and the Rev. Dr. Joel Hunter, pastor of an evangelical congregation in Florida.

I'll just end the conversation here by posting a video interview with Joel Hunter and Stephen Mansfield on CNN:

An Arab American Woman from Michigan -- Miss USA

I didn't watch the pageant last night, and I won't comment on the value or virtues of beauty pageants, but I do find it relevant to note that a Lebanese American woman from nearby Dearborn, Michigan (home of Ford Motor Company) was crowned Miss USA last night.  Michiganders, of course, are thrilled that good news can come out of our state.  But more importantly, it is a reminder that America is a diverse country.

Rima Fakih is an immigrant and a Muslim woman who attended Catholic schools.  She is the first Muslim, Arab, and immigrant to be crowned Miss USA.   She is a reminder of what America can be at its best, a place of opportunity.  It is a reminder that while we may be a Christian majority nation, there is planted in our Constitution the protections that allow people, of whatever background, to find their place in society.  

Although I don't normally congratulate beauty contest winners on my blog, I think in this case, because it is a boundary breaking event that reminds the nation that we're not just a bunch of white Christians, I will offer my word of congratulations to a fellow Michigander.