Race, Social Class, and Sex in Harry’s World and Ours
Prompt: Compare the struggles that black people face with race, social class, and gender to the struggles of Harry Potter characters.
Race, Social Class, and Gender in Harry’s World and Ours
Issues within Harry Potter, a childhood favorite of many, translate to many of the same issues that Black people face in the world historically, and in present time today. The Harry Potter series establishes its own unique world with a set order and way of life, that in many ways, is similar to the structure that is in place in our world today. Harry Potter and our world has a similar structure in terms of issues surrounding race, gender, and social class. Race is defined as the classification of people according to their genetic background, physical traits expressed, and ancestry. Gender describes the state of being male or female. Social class refers to a broad group in society having common economic, cultural, or political status. Race, gender, and social class, all prominent themes in Harry Potter and the real world, cause issues and play a noticeable part in unraveling the history of Black people worldwide.
Harry Potter, a fantasy novel series written by author J.K. Rowling, is known worldwide and treasured by many young adults. The main characters of the series include young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and witch Hermione Granger. The storyline of the Harry Potter series consists of Harry’s life story and his journey consisting of interactions with those of the wizarding world. He often is puzzled in the earlier series about how it is that everywhere he goes he is already well known, even without an introduction. Upon meeting Harry, Ron knew exactly who he was once he told him his name. Professor Snape and others seemed to even be awaiting his arrival to Hogwarts, already having formed opinions about Harry based off of the stories.Draco Malfoy, a member of the elite Malfoy family, extends an offer for friendship that was quickly denied by Harry instead to become friends with muggle-born Hermione Granger.
Throughout his time at Hogwarts, he is learning how to navigate life as a wizard and discovering more about his past that everyone seems to know so much more about than he even does. He learns that during the first wizarding war, Lord Voldemort’s first rise to power, his parents were killed yet he was able to survive the curse. He was actually the one who temporarily stopped Lord Voldemort even though no one knew why at the time. Dumbledore becomes his mentor, along with others, and over time they give him insights on how to finally defeat Lord Voldemort for good. With the twists and turns that J.K. Rowling throws at the reader while guiding you through Harry’s life story, it is clear to see how so many people worldwide fell in love with the series.
This novel series received such a high level of success that the seven book long series was produced into 8 full length movies. Such as with many creations, numerous details were added, omitted, or simply changed when comparing the books and the movies that they were made into. The first of the book series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was published in 1997 by the UK-based company Bloomsbury. The book was later published in the United States in 1998 by Scholastic Corporation. The American publishing companied doubted whether or not it would be picked up by boys because of the female sounding name Joanne, so J.K. Rowling was used. American companies also felt a name change for the title was necessary, due to the high level of complexity of the word “philosopher”, when considering the target age level was 9-11 year olds. The name was changed and released as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the United States. Having released a 7 book-long series, in general, the next book picks up in the late summer/early school year for Harry.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the third installment of the series, continues on with the story of Harry Potter’s time while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This year, more than in the past, is when chaos truly sets in for Harry and a real threat is placed on his life. At the Leaky Cauldron is when he learns from Arthur Weasley that Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban, one of the worst prisons for wizards and witches. It is there that a large number of Death-Eaters, followers of Lord Voldemort, are imprisoned. Mr. Weasley also informed Harry that Black may be on the hunt for him so that Lord Voldemort can return to power and to promise him that he wont go looking for Black. Stated by Mr. Weasley in Heyman (2004), “Harry, I need you to promise you won’t go looking for Black”. Harry somberly responded to Mr. Weasley according to Heyman (2004) “But sir, he betrayed my parents”.Here, Harry’s inquisitive and brave nature is shown and exemplified. Even though Sirius Black is a dark wizard, more powerful than he was at the time, he still can not help but to be slightly curious as to what would happen if he faced Black and could possibly avenge his parents’ death. Many themes that are present in the Harry Potter storyline, also can be found throughout history as well.
A hierarchal social class system has been present in the world and society for many years. There are numerous social classes that occur in the real world. The simplest models consist of three tiers, while more complex and detailed examples are composed of six tiers. Simple models usually list lower, middle, and upper class as the social class system. The more complex ones will include the distinctions and nuances that will separate them. A more detailed class structure will list underclass, working poor, working class, lower middle class, upper middle class, and finally upper class being the smallest proportion. Most models can agree that the upper class is usually represented by being the smallest proportion, as there are few people in the world with the extreme wealth that it requires to be apart of the upper class. Throughout history, the struggles between social classes have caused many problems in society. Governments have been overthrown and rebelled against by individuals frustrated with their actions, usually the individuals in the lower classes. The Haitian Revolution lasted thirteen years, starting in 1791 and ending in 1804. The country’s historic revolution was spear-headed by Toussaint L’Ouverture against France who colonized them. News of this spectacular rebellion spread all across the lands and seas, even giving inspiration to slaves in the United States and South America. Unfortunately, this revolution drove their economic state into the ground because France mandated that they pay back money due to “loss of property”. Haiti has been in debt to France ever since. They originally demanded from Haiti an amount of 150 million francs. Stated by Gomez (2005), “Hispaniola was not the only New World site of rebellion in the early sixteenth century. Revolts broke out everywhere…” (p. 2022). With the success that the Haitians achieved, it sparked a new, brave rebellious attitude within many of them. The Haitian revolution can be described as a domino effect, they were certainly not the first slave rebellion, but they did cause such a stir up that others were motivated as well. Revolutions and rebellions against corrupt governments took place not only in Haiti, but all over the world as well.
The Civil Rights Movement that took place in America for the rights of African Americans took place between 1954 and 1968. The fight for civil rights lasted 15 years and also occurred during the height of the Black Power movement. The most revolutionary and well-known leaders of the Civil Rights and Black Power movement included Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), Malcolm X, and Fred Hampton of the Black Panther Party. COINTELPRO, which stood for counter intelligence program, was ran by the United States’ own FBI and was the responsible for the death of MLK, Malcolm X, and Fred Hampton. According to Alegria (2011), the United States government was solely responsible for dismantling the Black Panther Party for Self Defense. In some instances, they killed certain leaders of the party while causing others to flee or be exiled from the country. They jailed party members and performed illegal raids and searches, all causing disruption to the party.
The Rwandan Genocide happened in the African nation of Rwanda from April to July 1994. The outbreak started from the killings of Juvenal Habyarimana and Cyprien Ntaryamira, the leader of Rwanda and president of Burundi, respectively. This war occurred between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority. Over the course of those four months, approximately 800,000 people were murdered. The Hutu majority were brutal in the mass murders of the Tutsi people. According to Caplan (2007), “Rwanda’s colonial period, during which the ruling Belgians favored the minority Tutsis over the Hutus, exacerbated the tendency of the few to oppress the many, creating a legacy of tension that exploded into violence even before Rwanda gained its independence” (p. 23). Not only were the Hutus upset about the killing of the country’s leader, they had along standing problem with the country’s minority group as they were heavily favored by their colonizers. This favoritism when it came to behavior and treatment only made matters worse when the genocide occurred. This treatment of the Tutsi people is demonstrative of the complete control the upper class can have over lower class or minority groups. Unfortunately, little to no help came from other controls and outside help to resolve the countries issues in this period.
White people and their dedication to maintaining white supremacy was responsible for the ruining of many established Black societies. The “Black” Wall Street existed in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, but suddenly came to an end in 1921. According to Greenwood (2015), “Prompted by the alleged attack by a black man upon a white woman, it was hell for twelve thousand people and the charred thirty-five city blocks many once called home”. This is the poor, corrupted excuse they used for destroying this successful neighborhood. It was obvious they have other motives as well. This neighborhood was filled with successful Black entrepreneurs who were starting to generate real wealth for themselves and they could not allow that. As long as Black people fuel White businesses and depend on them for income, they can keep Black people under control. If Black people were able to use their own knowledge, resources, and businesses then White people would no longer be able to control nor profit off of them. Similar things happened all over the country but were being disguised. Promising communities were torn apart with highways and interstate systems being built right through them such as the Claiborne bridge running through the Treme area of New Orleans, LA. Any large group of people in one community is bound to have a social class system, whether fictional or real.
Social classes and the hierarchy that is created by them is a central theme presented in not only Prisoner of Azkaban, but all of the installments of the Harry Potter series. During the series, it reveals an interesting side to the characters and the dynamics that take place in the magical world. The first glimpse of the corruption that takes place within the upper class is demonstrated by the Malfoy family. They use their material possession to flaunt their wealth in the faces of others, especially the lower class. Their favorite family to taunt in the Weasley family, as they have extreme differences on what makes a pureblood wizarding family respectable. The Weasleys are a pure blood family line that fully associates with all people, including half-bloods and muggles. The Malfoys operate under the notion that the mating of pureblood with anything else other than other purebloods is an abomination. Lucius Malfoy especially likes to flaunt his wealth with his son Draco Malfoy. He buys his son’s way onto the quidditch team for Slytherin, as opposed to, Harry who earns his spot based on his talent. Hermione Granger shrieks at Draco in Heyman (2004), “At least he didn’t have to buy his way on the team, Harry got in based off of pure talent”. Draco was extremely embarrassed after being exposed for his method of entry to the team but this only fuels the hatred between Hermione and him more. Draco always has the newest robes, best presents, and most expensive items of anyone. Lucius Malfoy also has a habit of paying for favors, especially ones so authority figures can overlook the wrongful acts he commits on a regular basis. The Malfoy family, during the previous time Lord Voldemort was at large, was on his side and were well-known Death Eaters. Lucius Malfoy, the head of the family, claimed he was under the Cruciatus curse. The Cruciatus curse involves using torture to get information, possessions, etc. from someone. After Lord Voldemort was defeated, the Malfoy came out and claimed they were tortured and had no choice and they were on the side of magic again. This statement was false though, they were still very much faithful to the Dark Lord and working for him. The family acted as an informant for Lord Voldemort on many occasions.
Similarly, how the government dismantled all revolutionary organizations fighting for minority groups, Lord Voldemort was able to do the same. Lord Voldemort’s rein was very strategic in the way he gained power. His period, both times, started times started with mass disappearance of known figures. Some went into hiding while others he captured held them hostage for their knowledge, talents, or possessions. People were either killed off if they refused to obey and join his forces. With others, he used intimidation to get them under his control. He would kidnap the child of parents until he got them under his control. For some, he threatened to end their businesses they spent their whole life building if they did not support him. His last method to disassembling forces against him was killing off leaders and central people to powerful magical organizations. He made many unsuccessful attempts at killing Harry Potter. In both times of him coming to power, he killed large numbers of the Order of the Phoenix. The Order of the Phoenix was an organization formed by Dumbledore to fight against Lord Voldemort. Lord Voldemort was responsible for the death of Nevil Longbottom’s parents, Sirius Black, Harry Potter’s parents, and many more. Losing all these powerful leaders, many became fearful they had no chance but to fight alongside Lord Voldemort because his opposition was no longer strong in numbers. Sirius Black is quoted saying in Heyman (2004) “Well… what’s left of us at least”. In the movie, he sadly looks to the portraits hanging on the wall and reflects on how that’s all that’s left of them. The Order of the Phoenix has been reduced to just pictures on the wall as their numbers were severely reduced by Lord Voldemort in the first wizarding war. Social class and further more differences in genetic makeup can play a big part in history.
The idea of race, and the differences between them, has dictated the way societies across the world are organized. The original idea of race came from Johann Friedrich Blumenbach and his dissertation. In his research, he examined the shapes and sizes of the cranial bones and from this he attributed certain patterns to there being different races. Stated by Franklin (1991), “His research in the measurement of craniums led him to divide mankind into five great families—Caucasian, Mongolian, Malayan, Ethiopian, and American”. It was this very classification of cranium sizes/shapes that would shape and support the racism we know today. Scientific racism came about from his published works and misconstrued his intentions behind his research. “Scientists” used his findings to support their racist ways and justify slavery and the treatment of people they believed to be inferior. Before his findings, race was not a main concern and used to classify individuals. In Reversing Sail, Gomez states “It is not surprising that the Qur’an is devoid of racial bias…” (p.936). In the early Muslim world in Africa, they wee more involved in using culture as a means for classification of people. This original idea of race has led to justifications for racism and still affects our community to this day. It was used to justify slavery and the colonization of African civilizations. Colonization did more harm than good in a majority of the places it touched. Slavery approximately lasted 300 years and set African Americans back as far as the progress they have made in the United States. It has had a lasting effect on the African American population by causing psychological and physical scars as well as financial problems. Due to the discrimination that Black people have faced worldwide, there is a severe shortage of Black people in positions of power. There is a lack of Black people in politics, in high positions within businesses, and as educators in schools across the country. According to Greenwood (2015), old white men are still in control of this country and because of that Blacks still face extreme discrimination. We are denied entry financial help, into academic programs, and jobs just based of racism and the incorrect theory that Black people are inferior and inhuman. (p. 350). Unfortunately, discrimination based upon factors one can not control at all makes its way over to the fictional world as well.
Differences in genetic makeup, an idea comparable to race, makes its way into the Harry Potter series early on. The concept of race is conceptualized in the series and the classifications include: purebloods, half-bloods, muggles, and squibs. Purebloods are individuals whose family has never mated with anyone else but a pureblood. They are seen as superior within the magical society and often are the most corrupt. However, there are a few exceptions to this trend. The Weasleys and the Longbottoms are an example of just pureblood families. Half-bloods are individuals who have one pureblood parent and one non-magical, or muggle parent. Throughout the series these tend to be the most famous and powerful wizards. Severus Snape and Harry Potter himself are both half-blood wizards. Muggles are those who do not possess any magical talent and are seen as the lowest within the magical society. Even though Hermione Granger is extremely bright, she is still seen as inferior by amongst her classmates at Hogwarts due to her being muggle-born. She applies herself and studies harder than most of her peers yet still has to prove herself every time family history is brought into the picture. Draco Malfoy even goes as far as using a derogatory term to refer to her, calling her a “mudblood”. This is a highly offensive term within the magical word describing someone who was born to non-magical parents. Stated in Heyman (2004), “What’s a mudblood?” Harry asks Hagrid. Hermione chimes in stating “A mudblood is a filthy name used to describe someone born to non-magical parents. A person like me. It’s not often used in civilized conversations”. In the Harry Potter world, no matter your talent, it is seen as disgusting and low to be of a non-magical family. Squibs are not viewed as low as muggles but are still frowned upon in the society. A squib is someone coming from a magical background but possesses no magical talents or abilities. Argus Filch, the caretaker of Hogwarts, is a squib and was extremely embarrassed when he believed students found out. House elves are the last clear distinction that is made in the series and are the lowest of the magical society. They are essentially personal slaves for the rich, pureblood families and serve a lifetime or until their freedom is granted which is rare. To signify their status within society, they are given torn and battered sheets of material to wear. According to Warner (2013), “Dobby the House Elf provides Harry with the answer: the Room of Re-quirement. According to Dobby, “it is a room that a person can only enter . . . when they have a real need of it. Sometimes it is there, and sometimes it is not, but when it appears, it is always equipped for the seeker’s needs” (p. 157). Even though they are looked down upon severely within their magical society, they do provide extremely useful. It if was not for the house elves, Harry would not have been able to survive many of the missions he embarked upon within the series. As a viewer of the film, it is also hard to not notice the clear lack of Black characters in the movies. Most of the novels do not specify race when describing the characters, yet there are only three Black actors in the entire 8 movie-long series. The three black characters in the series are a female and male student and lastly a Black auror. This can only lead the viewer to question why were not more Black actors cast in the movies. Sometimes, more than race is used as a means of discrimination.
Gender has also been a basis for how one is treated throughout history. Women have struggled for many years to gain their rights in society. At one point, women could not leave the house without their husband to escort them, could not own property, and could not get jobs in certain fields. One of the biggest rights they did not have was the right to vote. According to Cherland (2008), the Women’s Suffrage movement lasted many decades and ended in 1920 with the passing of the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote. (p. 273-277). But this new “right to vote” was not granted to every American woman. Black women still did not truly get the right to vote until 1965 with the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It was under this that such provisions to the laws were removed that mandated literacy tests and included the grandfather clause requirement. In History.com Staff (2009), it details the situations Blacks faced when trying to vote and describes them as “Blacks attempting to vote often were told by election officials that they had gotten the date, time or polling place wrong, that they possessed insufficient literacy skills or that they had filled out an application incorrectly”. This shows just how far Whites were willing to go to keep Black people from voting and having their opinions incorporated in politics. Summarized by Glanzer (2004), even with the right to vote, women still are mistreated and discriminated against in many ways. A woman in the United States can have the same educational credentials and work experience as a man and still be paid a fraction of his salary all due to her being a woman. (p. 58-63). Even with the progress made since 1920 and 1965, women are still underrepresented in positions of power. Black women unfortunately suffer the most because they are a double minority, being first Black but a woman too. Unfortunately, these same biases we face in the real world carry over to the fictional world as well.
Biases against women are evident even in Harry Potter all throughout the series and on many of the different levels of characters. There is a lack of strong, powerful witches in the series and an over saturation of dominant, male characters. Most of the female characters are submissive to the male characters. Hermione Granger is submissive to both Harry and Ron and when faced with issues, she performs more logically and is a more studious wizard. Even with other witches who are apart of the storyline, the gender roles and stereotypes become obvious. According to Cherland (2013), “Fleur does not do well in the events of the Tri-wizard Tournament, but she does frequently demonstrate her power over Ron Weasley and other boys, who lose their ability to speak in her presence” (p. 276). The typical gender stereotypes that exist in our own world are carried over to the movies when a witch can not use her brain but her sexual nature to get around the rules. She is constantly seen as the weakest competitor in the tournament. Hermione consistently works harder than any of her peers and is successful on her examinations all to constantly have to prove her worth and talent. She has to endlessly defend her place at Hogwarts due to her not only being muggle-born but first a girl. In many of the tasks the trio Harry, Ron, and Hermione face, she is the one, in fact, that uses her wit and cleverness to get them out of trouble or solve the problem. She solved many of the puzzles they had to piece together for them to get sorcerer’s stone. She figured out that Professor Lupin was a werewolf. She also crafted the potion necessary for them to transform into Draco and his friends to get the information they needed. She is not given the credit that she’s due due to her gender. Hermione is a perfect example of having to over not one, not even two, but three different biases that one can face.
Social class, race, and gender play a crucial part in the course of history of Black people in the world and throughout the storyline of the Harry Potter series. The discrimination individuals face based upon these three standards play an interesting part in the development of numerous characters and the overall storyline. Black people have struggled long throughout history due to discrimination based off of these three criteria but with each new wave of resistance and bright, new leaders, progress is made towards equality.
Race, Social Class, and Sex in Harry’s World and Ours
Issues within Harry Potter, a childhood favorite of many, translate to many of the same issues that Black people face in the world historically, and in present time today. The Harry Potter series establishes its own unique world with a set order and way of life, that in many ways, is similar to the structure that is in place in our world today. Harry Potter and our world have a similar structure in terms of issues surrounding race, sex, and social class. Race is defined as the classification of people according to their genetic background, physical traits expressed, and ancestry. Sex describes the state of being male or female. Social class refers to a broad group in society having common economic, cultural, or political status. Black people worldwide can relate to the struggles faced by the characters in the Harry Potter series. Race, sex, and social class, all prominent themes in Harry Potter and the real world, cause issues and play a noticeable part in unraveling the history of Black people worldwide.
A hierarchal social class system has been present in the world and society for many years. There are numerous social classes that occur in the real world. The simplest models consist of three tiers, while more complex and detailed examples are composed of six tiers. Simple models usually list lower, middle, and upper class as the social class system. The more complex ones will include the distinctions and nuances that will separate them. A more detailed class structure will list underclass, working poor, working class, lower middle class, upper middle class, and finally upper class being the smallest proportion. Most models can agree that the upper class is usually represented by being the smallest proportion, as there are few people in the world with the extreme wealth that it requires to be apart of the upper class.
Throughout history, the struggles between social classes have caused many problems in society. Governments have been overthrown and rebelled against by individuals frustrated with their actions, usually the individuals in the lower classes. The Haitian Revolution is a perfect example of a successful attempt to overthrow the corrupt government. It lasted thirteen years, starting in 1791 and ending in 1804. The country’s historic revolution was spear-headed by Toussaint L’Ouverture against France who colonized them. News of this spectacular rebellion spread all across the lands and seas, even giving inspiration to slaves in the United States and South America. Unfortunately, this revolution drove their economic state into the ground because France mandated that they pay back money due to “loss of property”. Haiti has been in debt to France ever since. They originally demanded from Haiti an amount of 150 million francs. This huge amount of debt has effectively put them back into their lower social class that they desperately wanted to escape as still today Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. Stated by Gomez (2005), “Hispaniola was not the only New World site of rebellion in the early sixteenth century. Revolts broke out everywhere…” (p. 2022). With the success that the Haitians achieved, it sparked a new, brave rebellious attitude within many of them. The Haitian revolution can be described as a domino effect; they were certainly not the first slave rebellion, but they did cause such a stir up that others were motivated as well. Those lower on the totem pole were not happy with their social status and class and were willing to do anything to change it. Revolutions and rebellions against corrupt governments took place not only in Haiti, but all over the world as well.
The Civil Rights Movement that took place in America for the rights of African Americans took place between 1954 and 1968. The fight for civil rights lasted 15 years and also occurred during the height of the Black Power movement. The most revolutionary and well-known leaders of the Civil Rights and Black Power movement included Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), Malcolm X, and Fred Hampton of the Black Panther Party. COINTELPRO, which stood for counter intelligence program, was ran by the United States’ own FBI and was the responsible for the death of MLK, Malcolm X, and Fred Hampton. According to Alegria (2011), the United States government was solely responsible for dismantling the Black Panther Party for Self Defense. In some instances, they killed certain leaders of the party while causing others to flee or be exiled from the country. They jailed party members and performed illegal raids and searches, all causing disruption to the party.
The Rwandan Genocide happened in the African nation of Rwanda from April to July 1994. The outbreak started from the killings of Juvenal Habyarimana and Cyprien Ntaryamira, the leader of Rwanda and president of Burundi, respectively. This war occurred between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority. Over the course of those four months, approximately 800,000 people were murdered. The Hutu majority were brutal in the mass murders of the Tutsi people. According to Caplan (2007), “Rwanda’s colonial period, during which the ruling Belgians favored the minority Tutsis over the Hutus, exacerbated the tendency of the few to oppress the many, creating a legacy of tension that exploded into violence even before Rwanda gained its independence” (p. 23). Not only were the Hutus upset about the killing of the country’s leader, they had along standing problem with the country’s minority group as they were heavily favored by their colonizers. This favoritism when it came to behavior and treatment only made matters worse when the genocide occurred. This treatment of the Tutsi people is demonstrative of the complete control the upper class can have over lower class or minority groups. Unfortunately, little to no help came from other controls and outside help to resolve the countries issues in this period.
White people and their dedication to maintaining white supremacy was responsible for the ruining of many established Black societies. The “Black” Wall Street existed in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, but suddenly came to an end in 1921. According to Greenwood (2015), “Prompted by the alleged attack by a black man upon a white woman, it was hell for twelve thousand people and the charred thirty-five city blocks many once called home”. This is the poor, corrupted excuse they used for destroying this successful neighborhood. It was obvious they have other motives as well. This neighborhood was filled with successful Black entrepreneurs who were starting to generate real wealth for themselves and they could not allow that. As long as Black people fuel white businesses and depend on them for income, they can keep Black people under control. If Black people were able to use their own knowledge, resources, and businesses then white people would no longer be able to control nor profit off of them. Similar things happened all over the country but were being disguised. Promising communities were torn apart with highways and interstate systems being built right through them such as the Claiborne bridge running through the Treme area of New Orleans, LA. Any large group of people in one community is bound to have a social class system, whether fictional or real.
Social classes and the hierarchy that is created by them is a central theme presented in not only Prisoner of Azkaban, but all of the installments of the Harry Potter series. During the series, it reveals an interesting side to the characters and the dynamics that take place in the magical world. The first glimpse of the corruption that takes place within the upper class is demonstrated by the Malfoy family. They use their material possession to flaunt their wealth in the faces of others, especially the lower class. This is similar to how the rich 1% of the world flaunts their wealth. Their favorite family to taunt in the Weasley family, as they have extreme differences on what makes a pureblood wizarding family respectable. The Weasleys are a pure blood family line that fully associates with all people, including half-bloods and muggles. The Malfoys operate under the notion that the mating of pureblood with anything else other than other purebloods is an abomination. Lucius Malfoy especially likes to flaunt his wealth with his son Draco Malfoy. He buys his son’s way onto the quidditch team for Slytherin, as opposed to, Harry who earns his spot based on his talent. This moment strikes hard with many Black readers. Black people are often told from a young age that we have to be twice as good to get just half of what white people will get. Hermione Granger shrieks at Draco in Heyman (2004), “At least he didn’t have to buy his way on the team, Harry got in based off of pure talent”. Draco was extremely embarrassed after being exposed for his method of entry to the team but this only fuels the hatred between Hermione and him more. Draco always has the newest robes, best presents, and most expensive items of anyone. Lucius Malfoy also has a habit of paying for favors, especially ones so authority figures can overlook the wrongful acts he commits on a regular basis. This is another moment that Black readers can relate to. Often white people are able to con their way out of facing real legal charges for the crimes they commit based of the connections and/or money they have. The Malfoy family, during the previous time Lord Voldemort was at large, was on his side and were well-known Death Eaters. Lucius Malfoy, the head of the family, claimed he was under the Cruciatus curse. The Cruciatus curse involves using torture to get information, possessions, etc. from someone. After Lord Voldemort was defeated, the Malfoy came out and claimed they were tortured and had no choice and they were on the side of magic again. This statement was false though, they were still very much faithful to the Dark Lord and working for him. The family acted as an informant for Lord Voldemort on many occasions.
Similarly, how the government dismantled all revolutionary organizations fighting for minority groups, Lord Voldemort was able to do the same. Lord Voldemort’s rein was very strategic in the way he gained power. His period, both times, started times started with mass disappearance of known figures. Some went into hiding while others he captured held them hostage for their knowledge, talents, or possessions. People were either killed off if they refused to obey and join his forces. The US government did something similar with the Black Panther Party as many were killed for their rebellious attitudes while others were forced to hide out in places such as Cuba. With others, he used intimidation to get them under his control. He would kidnap the child of parents until he got them under his control. For some, he threatened to end their businesses they spent their whole life building if they did not support him. His last method to disassembling forces against him was killing off leaders and central people to powerful magical organizations. He made many unsuccessful attempts at killing Harry Potter. In both times of him coming to power, he killed large numbers of the Order of the Phoenix. The Order of the Phoenix was an organization formed by Dumbledore to fight against Lord Voldemort. Lord Voldemort was responsible for the death of Nevil Longbottom’s parents, Sirius Black, Harry Potter’s parents, and many more. Losing all these powerful leaders, many became fearful they had no chance but to fight alongside Lord Voldemort because his opposition was no longer strong in numbers. Sirius Black is quoted saying in Heyman (2004) “Well… what’s left of us at least”. In the movie, he sadly looks to the portraits hanging on the wall and reflects on how that’s all that’s left of them. The Order of the Phoenix has been reduced to just pictures on the wall as their numbers were severely reduced by Lord Voldemort in the first wizarding war. The dismantling of organizations fighting for social justice is evident in the series and is definitely in the history of people of African descent. Social class and further more differences in genetic makeup can play a big part in history.
Social class, race, and sex play a crucial part in the course of history of Black people in the world and throughout the storyline of the Harry Potter series. The discrimination individuals face based upon these three standards play an interesting part in the development of numerous characters and the overall storyline. The experiences that they went through are comparable to the struggles faced in Harry Potter and gives them something to relate to. Black people have struggled long throughout history due to discrimination based off of these three criteria but with each new wave of resistance and bright, new leaders, progress is made towards equality.
