Harry Potter: Wizards and Racism

I've been watching a lot of British TV lately - thanks, BBC America! - and have observed that English people don't seem to have the hangups about race that Americans do. Unless you're a Pakistani, that is. (They tend to lump all Arabs in as "Pakis") Non-whites are minor characters (Cho Chang, the Patil twins, Kingsley Shacklebolt), and there are several more that are race-ambiguous. I recall that Lee Jordan, one of the Weasley twins' friends, was black in the films, too.

However, I did comment to my husband that the scene where Ginny and Dean Thomas (who is black) will probably cause racists' heads to explode.

The problem with Judge Sotomayer is the same as with Dolores Umbridge. Both earnestly desire to deny individuals the means to defend themselves. Umbridge supports taking wands away from muggle-borns who refuse to support the Voldemort government; and Sotomayer supports taking firearms and other weapons out of the hands of citizens.

Did anyone else notice that there seems to be a few more faces representing "people of color" in the latest film? Don't know if it was intentional, political correctness, or some other reason, but it was a refreshing sight.

Brickbat;

you write;

"...it is patently obvious that Americans no longer like to hear the truth, nor to tolerate its discomfort, nor to let live in peace them who speak it ..."

me;

Hi Brickbat. One man's truth is another man's fiction. Religion kinda hijacked the word 'truth' in it's bid for credibility, which it is more and more lacking - the wiser and more knowledgeable we become.

Religious truth is no truth at all, as far as I can see. The truth is we know nothing of gods, or devils, or angels, or anything paranormal. If it's truth you seek, may I suggest you read anything by Carl Sagan, or perhaps Victor Stenger's "God;The Failed Hypothesis". These guys have no ax to grind. They're more interested in the truth than they are in religion, which we all should be.

So, faced with criticism about an article she wrote in her her column "On Faith" that tried to draw parallels between a fantasy world & current legal events... Ms. Thistlewaite has chosen to delete half her writings, gather the gifted dogs and cats, and the (hopefully of at least average intelligence) frog in her pocket that prompted her use the possessive pronoun "we", and go somewhere to teach them to read her favorite book about her imaginary all-knowing, all-powerful friend...?

Ms Thistlewhaite, before departing.

I'd like to suggest "Burgundy Shoes".
The "Live" version. The piano strikes me everytime, as does all of the messages.

J

My interpretation is that we have a "wineskin issue".
Ms. Thistlethwaite have you been read, your rights?
Ice Age, Wall-E-- Happy Feet?
Do you require counsel , with regards to the Arts?
Can someone set-up a guide to fitness and diet so she feels and looks 20-something?
So, we don't have this issue come before again.
Star trek...

Bond is set at $30-000.00

J

I just deleted several paragraphs of true statements, because it is patently obvious that Americans no longer like to hear the truth, nor to tolerate its discomfort, nor to let live in peace them who speak it ...

Obviously it is time for the rest of us to stop attempting to speak Truth to them -- does anybody get the drift?

That decades old adage, "Love it or leave it," is best applied to ourselves and the sooner the better.

We are probably no more than one to three percent of the population now ... yeah, and so also are the people whose I.Q. qualifies them as 'gifted'. Take note, my fellows, that amongst animals, amongst cats and dogs, there are indeed those of gifted Intelligence, too; we owe it to them to take them with us where we can. We owe to everyone to take the Holy Bible as the Truth that it is and to carry it with us, as did my ancestors the Brewster Family when they stepped off the Mayflower, grateful to an omnipotent & omniscient GOD.

Mr. Malfoy is alive and well possessing several elected members of the United States Senate. These men's anger is the same feeling that overtakes people when their notions vanish before their eyes. At some point they wish not to exist without these notions intact so they act like small children who have been told they are mistaken-acting out for as long as the public will allow them to.
It really is too bad; however, that they aren't Mr. Malfoy. Whereas the character Malfoy eventually got his just desserts we all know that those he possesses in the real world won't. Malfoy ended up as people like that should: at the epi-center of some failed violent action which lands them in the fanasty world's waste basket-jail.
Here's to Rowlings for giving us moving the pictures of both what is eating away at people like Senator Graham and Sessions and how vile their world view actually is.

It is so absurd to hear all the right-wingers' new-found outrage at "racism." Reminds me of how they flocked to Hillary's defense when she lost to the "sexist" Obama. Not believable, folks.

Do you people even watch the hearings live, as opposed to getting them filtered through Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, etc.?

Did you even read the entire speech of the "wise Latina" remark? Or even the whole sentence of it? Because she goes on to say that judges should be aware of their biases and make efforts to correct for them.

The reason she (and the other two judges) ruled against the firefighters was because she was following legal precedence in this case. And, the lead plaintiff himself said yesterday that she gave no appearance of bias. Of couse, Rush probably knows better than the actual plaintiff as to the judges' mindframes.

If you want a good example of taking things out of context, look at Sen. Sessions faux pas yesterday. He said "and we're going to do that crack cocaine thing that we were talking about." I'm sure that a lot of people will take that out of context as Sen. Sessions is doing crack. (Actually, it would explain a lot!) However, if you look at the entire clip, he realizes what he said, laughs about it, and rephrases it.

Also, the "making policy from the bench" is an accurate statement. We've just seen an example this year, when SCOTUS overruled a 92-year-old law. And last year, when the eminent domain law was overturned by the SCOTUS. They're making policy from the bench. It's acceptable when it's for conservative causes, apparently.

Look at Judge Sotomayor's 17-year record, not just at a few cases. Of course, that would require actual though. It's easier to have FOX News and Rush Limbaugh interpret them for you.

@ GADSTIAN - Thank you for your service & perspective.

I'm not quite sure I agree with your comments about the the midnight showing twenty-somethings having lived with and seen death and war for a decade; and the implication that this has been or still is a tremendous burden for them.

I am actually IN Iraq now. I don't have my death, maiming, injury, poverty, and despair parsed and filtered by the internet and nightly news, I get to see it, smell it, and live it every day-- in vivid color.

Oh; and there aren't a lot of midnight movies or opportunities for snogging on the FOB (Forward Operating Base).

I can't fault young Americans who have grown up in historically unparallelled wealth and affluence-- today's middle-class live like only the highest royalty of the past. They aren't responsible for having been born into such amazing circumstances.

But don't for a moment equate their "responsilities" or their "burden" with the men and woman (young and old) who have chosen a life of service for their country, and who are here, in Afghanistan, and elsewhere living a nightmare that these state-side twenty-somethings dimly perceive a few minutes at a time on the television screen-- before carrying on with their so-earnest, so-important, and so much fun lives.

The next time you are inspired to pen a vignette about the new, 'greatest' generation that so many on the left are enamored of, come out to FOB Delta in south-central Iraq for a while. There's no Harry Potter; but I guarantee you that your perspective won't ever be the same.

I suppose Barbara Boxer's comments today are in now way demeaning as she is exempt from being a bigot? Is that how this works?

"So Sotomayor said her comments were taken "out of context" ? "

at least her words were taken out of context ... How is the hundreds year old racism of the senators explained? Sheesh

Hi Lucilius....

Thanks for your last note. You forgot that you implied I am a racist also: "Didn't hear any of those, huh? Or did you approve?"

some people still dont get it:
1) "wise latina" wasnt A remark...MANY(6) REMARKS...doesnt this show a belief system??
2) she used the words "better conclusion than a WHITE MALE". her words, not mine.
sorry all you raw-nerves out there; this is racism. She even showed that she is a racist by ruling against the firefighters.
3) she believes that she has the right to make laws from the bench,... " “court of appeals is where policy is made.”

Anyway, the main point is that the author of the above article knows nothing about the "purity issues" of Harry Potter and demonstrates her liberal bent by cont to feel bad, even to the point of being diametrically incorrect, perceived social wrongs.

ATHENA4,

So Sotomayor said her comments were taken "out of context" ? So what? Liberals always say that when they are caught saying something so bigoted and stupid that they can't possibly defend it. What they don't do is explain in what context the words would be okay. So why don't you tell us? In what context is it okay to say that a group of people (white males) have less ability to judge, and do not live as full lives, as Latinas? Is it also okay to disparage, say, blacks in the same way, given that context?

The author has said that people of mixed race are "often" mistreated. How often is "often." Hasn't everyone been mistreated in their lives, mixed race or not? Despite (or maybe because of) her extensive education, she is not aware of the definition of the word "racism." Dictionaries will give definitions like: The belief that each race has distinct and intrinsic attributes; The belief that one race is superior to all others; Prejudice or differential treatment based upon race. The author's definition of "racism" is: anything critical or negative directed toward anyone who isn't white, regardless of the circumstances.
Notice that this idiotic definition is incompatible with the former one. Notice also that it is a racist notion in itself as defined by the former. Would the author agree that people used Don Imus's "nappy headed hoes" comment as a "club" to beat him with? Of course not. She has a different set of standards for whites than for non-whites, and is therefore a racist as defined above. Granted, she is white herself, so her racism is of the self-loathing variety, but that doesn't make it less harmful or less real. Oh, and screw Harry Potter. What the hell does that have to do with anything?

A couple of things irked me about this article and I know that I will probably be labeled the racist for even mentioning these things but here they are any way.
1. It seems in these posts that the conservatives are being labeled synonymously with the purebloods. But is that correct? The purebloods want a perfect society. a utopia were everyone has the exact same advantage, opportunity, and well being. They want to be able to control other peoples lives and decide what is acceptable and what is not. Who does that sound like?

2. The author of the article makes the leap that Rowling has paralleled our society with with that of Harry Potter's world with regards to racism; purebloods vs. everyone else. Lets take a look at that leap. People have been equating the "racism" Sotomayor has been "clubbed" with to the dynamics between mudbloods, muggles, and purebloods of the story. Most in the story are human with a half giant here goblin there and so on and so forth. What is interesting is that most of the main characters are white except for an Asian here and a couple of black guys which doesnt one die? apparently Hogwarts is not and equal opportunity school. Sure they are tolerant of different types of magical creatures but you had better be pretty damn exceptional if you are ethnic!
3. Lastly I love these stories they are an escape form reality. Completely. It would be great if all i needed was a magic wand to provide me with, food, travel, entertainment, etc. But I don't! So I go to work meet new an exciting people from all walks of life and thanks my lucky stars I live in a place where i don't have to worry about a roadside bomb taking out my car on the way to work. That's right I like oil too!

Susan,

Are you even a 50-something? Has your photo been air-brushed?

1. Judge Sotomayor has repeatedly stated that the "wise Latina" remark was taken out of context. If you read the full speech, instead of just listening to the FOX News version, you'd understand that.

2. The "wise Latina" remark was made to a group of Latino law students that she was addressing. She was using that as an example to inspire them to do great things regardless of their ethnicity. In other words, she was giving them a pep talk.

3. Every person has their own biases. Judge Sotomayor is aware of hers, and she has repeatedly said during her hearing that she goes out of her way to avoid bias. She was one of three judges that wrote the New Haven FF case that was recently overturned. I am not sure of the background of the other two judges.

In our increasingly diverse society, it helps to have different points of view on the SCOTUS. Take, for example, the case of the 14-year-old girl who was strip-searched because she had prescription-strength Advil on her. The 8 male justices didn't have a problem with that, until Ruth Bader Ginsburg described how humiliating it would be to a young woman to be naked in front of a bunch of men.

My favorite quote was from Russ Feingold, though. "An activist judge is someone that doesn't vote the way that you think they should."

It is so painful to see that the great country of America has such racist roots as they pop up since the latest presidential result and the theatre of the justice appointment hearings. And this is a country with a huge multicultural heritage of all the immigrants from Jamestown on up. It is lunacy and just awful to hear comments include racial labels for everyone except white/pink males. Just drop any reference to ethnicity and call people, people, persons, etc. I don't see why any racist and gender labels are at all necessary in any conversation. As my mother would say, you oughta be ashamed of yourself.

etpietro,

I am amazed at the somersaults you are doing to prove that both the Judge Sonia Sotomayor hearing process (and yourself) is not racist.

A lot of others are denying the blindingly obvious as well.

All I can say is that you no doubt know little of Senator Jeff Sessions and his racist history or you would not have made such a foolish mistake. (It's hard to know why the minority party didn't have a clue about it either.)

For him to be the hard-nosed prosecutor in these hearings, being a white man with "no ethnicity and being able to make better decisions than us tinged folks, it is hilarious that you and your cohorts and others of your ilk are striving to divert attention from the overt racism in these hearings.

I especially liked the twofer that came from Senator Tom Coburn.

He was actually sexist and racist (at the least ethnically insensitive) at the same time when he channeled Desi Arnez's character going after Lucy.

Judge Sotomayor "you have some splainin' to do."

It's offensive and entirely inappropriate.

The majority of the process has come off smoothly, with some wingnut interruptions, and there has been some racially tinged moments led by the "conservative" side.

That's normal and self-evident, the denials of the various racism deniers notwithstanding.

To have someone like Jeff Sessions accuse anyone of racism is ludicrous and idiotic. Just look into this julep-sipping bigot's background. I'm talking about real racism; the kind that caused slavery, Jim Crow, the holocaust, lynchings. When minorities try to remedy centuries of injustice by sticking up for themselves, it rings extremely hollow and hypocritical for people like Sessions to cry "racist." It's a good article relating a top cultural story with a top news story.

Sorry, to clarify: ruling on Ricci's side and striking down that section of the 14th amendment would have been terribly detrimental to anyone finding themselves being discriminated against by race.

Ricci, the firefighter who's case is being used so frequently to show Sotomayor's racism, is trying to fight title VII of the 14th amendment, which is a very important part of civil rights law. This part of the law protects all races, white included, and would terribly detrimental to all involved in any sort of racial discrimination. Calling Sotomayor racist for upholding civil rights law is so, so ironic. Out of all of her lengthy service as a judge, this is the only case where there has been discussion about how her race may have affected her ruling (without evidence). Every step past reason that some of you are going in calling her racist just shows your own bias.

Athena4: I like your comments and your style.

Mjo9x: You are a well-spoken and thoughtful 20-something.

I don't think the comparison to the Senate hearings are apt though I agree with your assessments of the books.

As for all of the GOP talking points floating around here, why is it OK for Alito and Thomas to be influenced by their heritage, but not Sotomayor. What justice has ever been completely objective? Do you blindly believe being raised white and male doesn't create its own culturally biased opinion? Sessions questioned why she didn't vote the same way as her Puerto Rican colluege, but never thought to consider why white male judges don't always vote the same way as their white male collueges. That's certainly a double standard and a subtle form of racism.

Everyone brings there own personal bias to the Courts whether it is Thomas, Scalia, Roberts, Ginsberg, or Sodomayer. Anyone who argues different is lying to themselves.

As for activist judges, the current Conservative Court has been one of the most activist in history. The problem is that Republicans like activist judges when their overturning liberal laws and Democrats like activist judges when they overturn conservative laws.

Unfortunately, Republicans are more frequently hypocritical about their bias for Conservative activist judges. They are unwilling to admit that Republican judges often overturn laws written by Democrats. That's not activist to them, b/c they agree with the judges decision to overturn the law.

FREECIT: I understand now why you used the term "scared racists." I used the term "scared out of the woodwork" as a cliché. I did not mean to imply that you or any others were scared. And I didn't necessarily mean to imply that you yourself were racist. I have, however, read a lot or racist sentiment in the comments below. My observation that those brought up in environments where racism is the norm, being blind to their own racism, inform this opinion.

I myself have been the "victim" of "reverse racism," (a silly term in itself, as racism is racism). I grew up on a sugar plantation in Hawaii and was for some time the only white kid in my school. I caught no end of grief over my heritage and was ostracized and routinely beat up, made to stand up on the bus, etc.

This experience did not make me bitter toward my tormentors. They were responding as they had learned at home to do, from parents whose experiences were that of being oppressed by the white “upper class” themselves. The experience, however, has informed my feelings about racism, and my sensitivity in observing it. Folks who have never been its victims often fail to understand how awful a thing racism – even subtle racism – can be.

I have lived my adult life in largely white surroundings (we still are the majority in this country – so it’s not surprising). I have no axe to grind with my past. I am not sensitive to racism because my feelings were hurt and I still feel like a victim. I am sensitive to racism because I know the awful things it does. And racism is a little like art: I know it when I see it. And I don’t see it in Sonya Sotomayor. I don’t say that because I am predisposed not to see racism when it’s delivered by a person of color (quite the opposite could have been the case based on my childhood experiences). I say it because it’s true. It’s also true that much of what has been said below also smacks of racist sentiments. Hence my comments.

And FREECIT: I do apologize for not spell-checking. I looked back and found one or two errors. I do try to avoid them and thought I had proofed my comments well enough. I am using a spell-checker now to avoid offending you further.

Sorry to write again, but in response to cschotta1's claim that Obama plays the victim card by stating he's black more than the fact he has white blood is to misconstrue the relevance of what Obama means. Most often, the common person does not separate a person (whether on purpose or accidently) by their racial make-up (a fact not easily disernable merely looking at someone), but rather people utilize the easiest separator: skin color. If Obama were to say "I'm half white" to anyone on the street who didn't know, would they necessarily think differently about him? I don't know.
I would like to point out that I don't believe all people do this on purpose, or even most. I think its human nature to divide people in the easiest manner possible: visually.

Ms. Thistlethwaite, I am truly puzzled by your analysis. Judge Sotomayor seems to be clearly on the side of the bigoted pure blood wizards when she has stated, REPEATEDLY, that a Wise Latina Woman would come to a better decision that a Wise White Man. How is that NOT racist? Its both pitiful and instructive to see so many liberals twist themselves into verbal knots trying to make the Judge's repeated statements sound sensible. The trouble is, The Judge meant just what she said, REPEATEDLY and what she said was RACIST. That is why she could support a racist decision against the firefighters. Hermione, Harry and Ron would laugh at the Judge...and your feeble attempt to get the Harry Potter series on the your side.

Whereas I believe this article isn't the best I've ever read, I believe it has some merits. I'm a young 20-something, and I can see that the movie, while just a movie, also provides social commentary because the book its based on does. When writing the book, Rowling of course projected her beliefs through her writings. That's what authors do, whether they mean to or not.

In the books, being half-blood is a racial commentary. Anything based on blood rather than socioeconomic standing would be considered racism (albeit, those are not the only ways a society can be separated). I believe Rowling intended it to be as such. Making such a knowing, smart but rather twisted character like Snape the focal point of an entire novel is her reflection that not all people have to be "pure"-blooded to do great, or terrible, things.

I don't know how I feel about Sotomayor's race playing such a large part in the precedings. I think that if she wasn't Latino or a woman, they would still find something to harp/grill her about. Her racial/gender-biased comments just happen to provide an easy avenue. I don't know if they (i.e. the comments) really mean that much in the long run because afterall, she'd be one out of nine. I guess we'll just have to wait and see on that one, but I personally am not worried about it.

And for all of those who falsly/wishfully believe that racism isn't still prevelant in our society, they are sadly mistaken. Although the racial divide isn't violent like it once was, it still exists, whether social imposed or self-inflicted. Even at my university, I can definitely see tension. I know I have been treated differently (to my benefit) because I happen to have lighter skin than the rest of my extended family. But to be fair, even between those classified as the same "race" (i.e. Latinos, Caucasians, etc.), racism occurs. Mexicans don't like Puerto Ricans (arbitrary example) or Japanese don't like Chinese or the English don't like the Irish. It seems as though it is more of a location differientiation within the races and racial between them.

All this to say that 1. Racism still exists in the USA (although, obviously, that is not the only place); 2. Rowling's books may seem like children's books (as they should be), they also have a commentary element that allow adults to find bits of their own world within; and 3. Supreme Court judges are appointed, not elected, so it doesn't really matter what we think in the end. We'll just have to wait and see what happens at this point.

Mary
PS (and completely irrelevant): And in a true-20 something style (in accordance with the claims in the article), I really did enjoy the snogging and entertainment aspects of the movie just as much as I enjoyed the social commentary of the novel. I guess we're all just human :)

I would like to thank all of the commenters for rightfully lambasting this moronic column and its author for utterly unfounded and baseless accusations of racism in the SCOTUS hearings.

I realize we can report comments as offensive on WP....now, how do we report columns as the same?? Because this column is utterly insulting and offensive to any sane person.

You probably think the sky is racist too because the white clouds are usually so much fluffier and portentious of good weather than the dark clouds. Get over yourself already.

Unfortunately, you are going to "find" racism wherever you want to find it, no matter if it truly exists or not. In your case, Ms. Thistlethwaite, I find that cause to pity you.

I didnt notice any reference to religion in the column, but of course generic "religion" is in favor of everything which seems moral and progressive. Actual mythology-based belief systems operate very differently of course, and typically due in part to the statements embedded in their organic documents (which, inconveniently these days, are written by the relevant god figure or by some close friends of the god figure).

"I think to analogize Lucious Malfoy to Sen. Jeff Sessions is overly dramatic,"

No, it's an insult to Lucius Malfoy. He may be a bigoted, evil git, but he's NOT stupid.

There is quite clearly racial prejudice in the HP books. It's one of the central themes.

- Harry - mother who was a Muggle-born
- Hermione - discriminated against because she's Muggle-born
- Ron and the other Weasleys - called "race traitors" because they would rather hang with Mudbloods than with the "Wizarding World"
- Tom Riddle - Half-blood, illegitimate orphan who uses his lust for power to become the ultimate evil
- Albus Dumbledore - argues for the inclusion of Muggle-borns into Hogwarts. Also gay (as we find out in Book 7).
- Hagrid - discriminated against and kicked out of Hogwarts because he's half-Giant
- Sirius Black - Realized that his family was a bunch of bigoted jerks after becoming best friends with James Potter
- Remus Lupin - discriminated against because he's a werewolf

I could go on. But suffice it to say that JKR has specifically pointed out that racism is one of the major themes of her books.

As for Ms. Thistlethwaite's article (and yes, she does have a good Wizarding name!), I have to concur. Seeing Senators Sessions and Graham keep repeating the same "wise Latina" remark ad nauseam, even though Judge Sotomayor has explained it already and said that it was a poor choice of words, is just showing their racism. Or stupidity. Or both. What is the definition of insanity - doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?

I see all the salient points about this editorial have been made, some more eloquently than others. Allow me to sum up your accusations of racism thusly. Meh.

Susan: I doubt you’ll read my response, but I felt compelled to respond. I think to analogize Lucious Malfoy to Sen. Jeff Sessions is overly dramatic, perhaps hysterical, and certainly challenges your trustworthiness to have thoughtful insights.
See, Senator Sessions is responding to what Judge Sotomayor stated (repeatedly). The key word in her sentence is, “better”. Yes, she believes that a wise Latina will arrive at a better decision than a white guy. Really…BETTER???? Wow, that’s cocky and racist. Wouldn’t a wise person arrive at similar decision regardless of race/color?
I think she’s the racist, not Sessions. And I think you no longer have to feel obligated to witch-hunt white people. I’d even argue that you are trying to purify our diverse community with inaccurate finger pointing. Please stop. You’re making yourself shrill and very Delores Umbridge-like.

sim8sue7: I think you may have misread the article. It sounds as if you think this article was accusing the Harry Potter book of being racist. In fact, the article was about how the book discusses (and condemns) racism.

Hey Obama, why don't you ever mention your "WHITE" blood in you. Afterall, you are half white. Maybe it's because you can't play the victim card being white.

I just have 2 things to say:

1) As a hispanic person myself, I find that I long for more objectivity in a Supreme Court appointee than Sotomayor can provide.

2) To say that twenty-somethings (again, I am included in this category) "have lived with war for nearly a decade" is an overstatement of the effect that war has truly had on our mentalities. I am not belittling the effect of deaths and injuries on the men, women and families who have been on the frontlines of this war; I am simply stating that the twenty-somethings in the US know little of what war is really like on a first-hand basis and to act like the majority of our lives have been greatly altered by the war is pretentious.

Y'all need to get alife! It's an excellently put together movie based on an excellent storyline, quit over analyzing it and sit back and enjoy. A media report is a media report, take it as that and nothing else. How did y'all survive before the internet?

It's just so illuminating reading about "faith".

Just another report from a clueless reporter who thinks her judgement and opinions are more important than the facts!
People should learn to read before commenting on an authors work. Then they could make a valuable comment from a point of knowledge and intelligence.
Just like the these people who look to deeply for hidden meanings in a simple childrens book about Good and Evil!

This is really all very funny. Nothing like a controversial column to get your name out there, is it?

FREEAMERICAN1 - Thank you! You got it right.

Question?

Why is it that when someone with a conservative viewpoint posts their opinions, without rancor, insults are invariably hurled from left wing radicals? Racist! Stupid! Bitter! Yea, yea...I think the insults fly because they have nothing more substantial to stand on. After all, when they begin using a Harry Potter film to draw a comparison to the normal process of vetting a nominated official, why are we surprised?

While I think too much has been made of the comment, her attempts at explaining it away have not gone well. Her statement, by invoking race, is by definition a racial statement. Whether she really meant to imply racial superiority is the question. Her answers have not adequately addressed that concern.

I find it also equally offensive that it seems that racism by a white male is only racism that is villified in America. This is an especially important point as we approach the point where there is no racial majority in America. After all discrimination is discrimination and until we recognize that, there will be no racial equality in America.

YARNM57,

You wrote,

"Reading the comments here, it seems you have scared a lot of racists out of the woodworks by this article."

So...if you were NOT accusing those who disagreed with Thistlewaite's column of being racist, you should have re-worded this sentence, but maybe you and Thistlewaite have something in common as it appears you both are good at baseless accusation.

As for using my mind...I do. BTW - you ought to devote your mind to correcting misspelled words and grammatical errors before posting your comments.

Is there a way to report a clueless comment? I see more than a few here.

Dear God, why does every thing in world have to have some thing to do with Barack Obama? When can a movie just be a movie and when can we put aside all of the nonsense we have around us and just leave the real world behind for a couple hours? Can some one just review a movie and tell me if it is good or bad with out having to tie it to some soul wrenching social commentary or another?

This article SICKENS me. I appreciate the analysis of Rowling's metaphors regarding racism, but by somehow offering to compare issue on the subject to the Sotomayor hearings bespeaks of cowardly, opinionate bias.

The issue with Sotomayor, as with any candidate for Supreme Court, is whether that person will be biased or opinionated in their proceedings. Any Supreme Court justice who is a "judicial activist" is dangerous -- regardless of political affiliation. There is simply no place for it, and unfortunately, Sotomayor has shown an ability to be both opinionated and biased.

Perhaps you should have posted a more appropriate and unbiased review of the movie, comparing Sotomayor with those who treat "Mudbloods" wrongly; because deep within Sotomayor is someone like yourself: An opinionted, illogical person who, in their feeble attempt to be a true liberal, is actually a racist herself... preferential and biased toward certain races, groups and creeds.

You are a sick, sick person indicating racial prejudice during the Sotomayor hearnings.

Obviously you are listening and watching something that I am not.

If this is the best with which you can provide to write a column, I feel sorry for you. You obviously do not have the ability to add anything objective to your employer's newspaper. Hold on to your job. I can't imagine any other significant publication hiring you.

The Post should be ashamed to print this article re: racism. This is a brilliant book written by a most imaginative mind. There is no more racism in this book than between a doctor and a non-doctor, an engineer and a non-engineer, a mailman vs. a deliveryman. Some are full-blooded wizards, some are only on one side of the family. Harry's mother came from a family of non-wizards but she had the ability that led her to Hogswarts. When people have nothing to say of any meaning, they fall back on racism. I think it was racism to write the article claiming that a book about magic was racism. Obviously this article was to fill an empty space on a page. Why else would any editor print it.

What is eventide in your commentary is your own racism, sexism and prejudges.

" And one would hope that that generation has progressed to reading adult fiction at this point."

Really? I'm a 52 year old female and I enjoy Rowling AND Cooper. To insinuate that growing older means we have to say good-by to stories that have been our friends for years is absurd. And for others to assume that it's a sign of maturity is arrogant. Hopefully, the timeless writings of Asimov, Heinlein, Lewis, Le Guin, Pullman, Beagle, and Tolkin-yes and Rowling too, will always have a place on our shelves. Adult fiction and Science Fiction/Fantasy and not mutually exclusive.

You have got to be kidding me!? Jumping off from the new Harry Potter film to bash anyone who dares to question the appropriateness of Judge Sotomayor for the supreme court has got to be the absolute height of left wing ridiculousness! How can you possibly expect your views to be taken with any grain of respect when you will misuse any analogy to redirect to your single minded message? I was reading your babble with interest in what you were saying about the underlying racial commentary in the film (and agreeing)and all of a sudden had the carpet pulled out from under me by your crazy (left) turn toward bashing anyone who would use the political process of vetting our Judicial nominees the way it was intended! I mean "really"? Is that what the dissenting mindset has come to now? "You must be a racist if you dare question the nomination of a minority"? I think maybe you should stick to movies and leave any of the deeper conversations to we "Muggles"

yarnm57,
Your failure to see how Ms. Thistlethwaite's comments can be misconstrue is understandable. Please see my earlier post to understand why people are perceiving her statements as racist. I tried to help her understand she needs to reword it.
Thanks,
~S

Before you choose to correlate comments about a movie to what is happening in confirmation hearings a little more research is recommended. While yes the book does make some comments on Class discrimination. You will notice in HP & the Goblet of Fire it has people from all over the world attending an event in harmony until a select group of English witches and wizards attacks everyone not in there group, race doesn't determine who they attack. In fact in the series they attach pure bloods as well. With research you will find many people under 30 don't express the racist beliefs of those who grew up in previous generations. It is the job of the Senators to grill the potential person making decisions that affect some many aspects of our life. If you are unhappy with the job they are doing then comment on that and don't use a popular book series to bring in additional readers especially when you’re inaccurately interrupting that series. While I am thrilled our President is trying to add diversity to the Supreme Court I am sick of hearing about white-dominant society. In case you hadn’t noticed that is changing. Nor do I see a sign anywhere that says only certain races can run for office. Racism may not be dead though in comparison to the past it is dying out as the people with those beliefs are aging and passing on. Why don’t we see more pieces published showing the equalities our country has accomplished?

I know some teenagers who would turn their skin purple if they could figure out how to do it.

This Thistlebrain is obviously just another:

1. True hater of European-American culture, for reasons only she knows.

or
2. Just another spineless sellout who has no problem putting on the kneepads, and groveling to those architects of European-American destruction and erosion of the great republic we built.

One thing is quite clear, she is a promoter of destructive (but approved) propaganda, and has probably never had a REAL job in her pathetic life.

What the heck is this thing about? Someone is being paid for this advert.

Funny how the Post lets us comment on all sorts of nonsense, but shuts out discussion on topics like Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc...

The Post is using its comments section for ads and to control public opinion through media control.

SHAME!

"Freecit" - You say (to me) in your comment here,

"One more thing - your accusation that those with opposing viewpoints "are scared racists" is a testament of your mindset."

I didn't make that accusation. You urge me to free my mind. Perhaps you should USE yours.

Hey, theintrepidone

Would a public apology from the white race make you feel better? How would it go...sorry that white people created a gigantic infastructure first, organized themselves, built sophisticated means of transportation, conquered the entire world with little resistance, and ultimately created the most free society the world has every known. Not a racist here...just stating the facts.

What is it that you want? There are no slaveowners or members of the early American government here to ridicule. Slavery is no longer legal and the Native Americans have been apoligized to time and time again. Now we're all just Americans. We're all gonna have to get over the past if we want to move forward.

Yes...it's common knowledge that the Founding Fathers and early America did things that we consider now to be horrible. However they also pooled together and created something beautiful so you can sit here and cry about how messed up they all were.

We all have to work to make sure race isn't always an issue...you can't celebrate your culture and heritage and not encourage the idea that were not all same. These things breed racism. That and the media pumping the idea that things need to be equal while making a racial issue out of everything.

So suzie, did you think up all that rubbish by yourself?

What a load!

dwatson01 - nice, intelligent posting

theintrepidone - you are a knucklehead. Moe would be proud. I didn't hear about the Heston comment and it does sound like an arrogant, racist comment, but I would like to see it in full context. Maybe he was defending the founding fathers from people like you who always say our country was founded on racism. I'd love to give you a history lesson, but there is no room here and this is not the proper forum. In short, it's pretty pathetic when someone has to reach back 225 years to say we are all racists now.

There's no racism in our country. All races live in perfect harmony. There are no segregated neighborhoods and schools. There are no racist killings. We are all a big happy family. God bless America!

All you minorities stop whining and leave if you don't like to live in our multicultural harmonious society. All the lies about riots and protests in America are manufactured by our domestic and foreign enemies.

Foreign and domestic propaganda are attacking our unity. Now is the to defend our racism. America land of the free!
-----------------------------------------

I know your mother and father wishes the condom didn't break when accidently conceiving you?

-----------------------------------------

rmattocks,

Again, I say this as minority myself, rmattocks. There's no racism in our country. Only losers whine about imagined racism.

The hyphenated American minorities are whining because they are losers. They rather blame their personal failure on imagined racism. If they are able to achieve my success, with a white wife and white children, a million dollars mansion, a Ferrari and a Lamborgini in my garage, then they will all shut up with their nonsense about racism.

I don't believe that Sotomayor or Thistlewait are racists. But I do think this is a pretty silly article.

IMHO, the "wise Latina" comment was ill-conceived and worthy of some debate. If she had phrased what I believe was her thought better, we would have been spared most of what Thistlewait didn't like at the hearings. I didn't much like the convervative excesses of some Senators, either, but they had good fodder to react to. When you give political opponents that type of invitation, you have to expect them to show up for dinner.

I think the vociferating Republicans were also pretty silly, but I don't think they are necessarily racist for questioning the first Hispanic Woman nominated to the supreme court.

Where were all thesse poor downtrodden white males whan Charlton Heston (By no means the first) told us how much "wiser" the old white men who wrote the Constitution were than any dissenters?
No, it's okay when someone says a white guy is "wise."

That is the way things are supposed to be, right?

When (some) white men realize that they have "had it all and had a ball," only because they set up this country to create and sustain success for themselves only, we can move forward. All other groups' success had to be fought for tooth-and-nail, with blood sweat and tears. It was about a century and a half before women (white or any other color) could share some of the rights white men had given themselve from the very beginning.
Then, it was another half-century before blacks could share those rights.

All the while, they were stealing land from the Brown man and annihilating the Red man.

And they still don't get it.

YARNM57,

Comments precisely such as yours prove the one track mind of the liberal agenda. It is always about the "right wing racists." Well, I'm a conservative and I'm neither right wing nor a racist. I am not preoccupied with Democrat, Liberal, or Republican labels, but am concerned about moral and fiscal choices our leaders make for this country.

One more thing - your accusation that those with opposing viewpoints "are scared racists" is a testament of your mindset. I would suggest you thorougly review your motivation to make such comments. Racism and prejudice exists in many forms. Free your mind.

Such a terribly racist society... It's getting so bad these days that you can hardly get a hispanic or black AttyGen, or a black man or hispanic woman on the supreme court, or a (couple) black National Security Advisor, or Secretary of State, or Surgeon General... imagine trying to get a black man elected president... Oh.... wait...
Maybe it's time to stop flogging this dead horse. If we did, those who achieved wouldn't have to live with the nagging self-doubt that they were in their positions as a function of phenotype rather than function of ability, and long hrs and hard work invested.
The true racists are the ones spewing detritus such as this this article, or the ones thinking "poor hispanic Sotomayor, getting beat up by those white guys". There are plenty of brilliant, accomplished people of all shades- who will achieve, succeed, excel, _without_ "them liberal white folks" making sure things are a little easier for them. Nobody likes looking themselves in the mirror, and wondering if their achievements are genuine, or a result of the pity of some white people flagellating themselves.

The prejudice in the Harry Potter books (and movies) is class based. It is a concept that rarely is discussed in the US since we have no aristocracy per se. We do have the "good ole" network of Ivy league schools and clubs that work to confine power and wealth to specific groups. If you don't have time to read the books - just keep your yap shut. This article is very poorly researched as there is no racism in the wizarding world.

--------------------------------------
No aristocracy in the U.S.? Are you smoking dust or what? Ummn, Slavery was a blatant form of aristocracy or class based warfare against African Americans as well as Southern Jim Crow law that were instituted for the purpose of making sure blacks were not even considered human.

Move on to current day classism, the desparity between the middle class, low end middle class and the impoverished has widened pacific ocean wide as in comparison to the well to do, the rich, and the wealth. The gap has widened tremondously this decade and the with behavior of the CEO's of the banking and insurance, health and big pharma and automotive giants acting as if somehow they were entitled to TARP money, our money, it clear this country is rampant with classism. One thing this economic meltdown has shown is the level of classism between the well off and the have nots there is currently. And the people's thanks for bailing these losers out is even more exorbitant fees from lenders and credit card and banking institutions than before, credit still tightly being unfrozen and CEO's still receiving golden parachutes. That's the classism that is currently rampant in our country.

Didn't Cher express the same sentiment in her 1970s classic "Half Breed":

My father married a pure Cherokee
My mother's people were ashamed of me
The indians said I was white by law
The White Man always called me "Indian Squaw"

There's no racism in our country. All races live in perfect harmony. There are no segregated neighborhoods and schools. There are no racist killings. We are all a big happy family. God bless America!

All you minorities stop whining and leave if you don't like to live in our multicultural harmonious society. All the lies about riots and protests in America are manufactured by our domestic and foreign enemies.

Foreign and domestic propaganda are attacking our unity. Now is the to defend our racism. America land of the free!

Anybody that has read the Harry Potter books knows, or SHOULD know, that there is a very strong theme of anti-racism. It comes up in every book in a number of ways.

Oh, the burden of the white man, having never done anything correct since the dawn of time. The only thing we are good at is oppression. We never formed a representative government, we never signed a proclamation freeing others, and we never even amended our laws to allow rights to others. All these things must have been done by others. For all of history, we have simply taken advantage of their work. We are loathsome creatures. I am so glad that our few accomplishments have been relegated to the dustbin of history.

It is understandable why those white senators are gleefully attacking comments made by a hispanic woman as "racist" - they have been bludgeoned so many times as "racist" for the same types of comments they have made. The PC police (apparenty Ms Thistlethwaite is one of their troopers) have made the conversational climate so toxic with their attacks, over-sensitivity, hypocrisy, and offense-taking that it is now impossible to have any reasonable discussion about race. The senators are merely rejecting the double-standard - something we have endured far too long - kudos to them! If Ms Thistlethwaite is dismayed by this turn of events, she has noone but her cadre to blame - this is called "blowback".

It's funny (in a sad way) when racists accuse other people of being racist.

I can call a 'fart' a 'breath of fresh air', but that doesn't make it so.

Sonia Sotomayor & Ms. Thistlewaite are not racists.

Ms. Thistlethwaite (you name even sounds like a Harry Potter character), I enjoyed this article. I am not a Harry Potter fan per se, but I have enjoyed the movies with my wife and daughter (my daughter was one of the twenty-somethings who saw the midnight showing). I didn't know about the message on racism (although I had wondered about the half-blood reference in the title). I've felt before that Rowling appeared progressive in her sentiments.

Reading the comments here, it seems you have scared a lot of racists out of the woodworks by this article. The Sotomayor confirmation hearings are being terribly misportrayed by a right wing racist agenda. I wonder if our society will ever leave its racist heritage behind. I have found from my experience that racism is ingrained from a young age. I have had friends say, "I'm not racist, but..." And the "but" is always terribly racist. Folks who are brought up with an accepted racism really don't see it. It's a terrible truth.

The left is paternalistically racist at their best....

Sotomayor's "David Duke" moments simply show they are the other kind of racist as well.

The prejudice in the Harry Potter books (and movies) is class based. It is a concept that rarely is discussed in the US since we have no aristocracy per se. We do have the "good ole" network of Ivy league schools and clubs that work to confine power and wealth to specific groups. If you don't have time to read the books - just keep your yap shut. This article is very poorly researched as there is no racism in the wizarding world.

It never fails to amaze me how the press in this country can take a process that has occurred time and again and turn it into a RACIAL incident. What is even more dismaying is this article was written by a Professor at a Theological College. Is this her "educated" opinion? Get past the race issue! As a conservative caucasion female, I am weary with liberals "whipping out the race card" to deny us a voice. It is not about race, Prof. Thistlewaite, it is about EQUAL AND UNBIASED INTERPRETATION OF LAW. Please get over yourself, and quit stoking the flames of racial divide in our country.

Susan, wow that was bad on so many levels. I have never read your articles and only found it via google news head lines... I read it and it felt very simple minded and reaching for substance. Then I checked your bio. Based on your bio I was even more disapointed. I am sure you have done far better. My guess is that you mailied this one in on vacation.

On the article...the author must have been tapped out of ideas if she had to dissect a Harry Potter movie and apply it to current events.

It really makes me sick to read some of these comments. It seems liberals have swung so far left that holding a person accountable for their words and actions just makes them more of a victim. Sonia Sotomayer make a very public, inappropriate comment in which she says one race can come to more sound conclusions than another. If a white Republican had said something similar the Dems would tear them apart. True equality will never be as long as this double standard exists. Making the white man the devil in every situation is just pushing the burden from one race to another. That's revenge...not progress...certainly not equality. Republicans and Democrats needs to join the rest of the nation in them middle where everybody else lives.

Oh and I've read a couple times here: "All Republicans are racist." Please stop spewing your self-contradictory nonsense. By blanketing an entire group of people with a negative characteristic you're promoting the same stereotypes and prejudices that Liberals have worked so hard to counter. Now the Democratic race card only works for minorities to remove personal accountability, responsibility, intellectual growth, and self-reliance. It used to be about equal opportunity, not equal outcomes. Use your head and stop with the hypocritical babble.

The writer, as instructed by schooling and mainstream media, dutifully and studiously seeks out racism and lo and behold finds it in Republicans. Racism is the new scarlet letter, we are happily and mindlessly waltzing into our own 1984 era. Very sad and sorry indeed.

Susan, you are a racist. You think the poor little brown woman can't handle tough questions about why she thinks she is wiser than white men.

Further, if a white man actually said something similar, he would be booed by folks like you instead of cheered. Your hypocrisy, double standards, and racism are showing.

Since when is the hearing of a Supreme Court nominee an appropriate time for a physician/senator to use the slang "splainin'" as in "you've got some "splainin' to do."? Would the educated Coburn have said that to John Roberts?

Really?? How about we just view Harry Potter for what it is - a MOVIE!! A movie about good vs evil and kids growing up but still a MOVIE!! Why do we take everything and make more of it. It is a MOVIE and a book series! Nothing more nothing less. Comparing a MOVIE to a US Supreme Court Nomination is just silly, no matter what the thought process.

Well, Hipshot, I'm pretty much a political junky and have lots of left-leaning friends, and I have yet to hear anyone declare that all Republicans, or all conservatives, are racist – though Eatingpie erroneously accuses Thistlethwaite of making just that statement. Thistlethwaite specified "conservative politicians ... as illustrated but not limited to Senator (Jeff) Sessions ...." – in short, the exclusive group now questioning Sotomayor. You'll note that she described the audience as "the American people." Not Democrats, not Republicans. That would suggest a tacit belief that any decent American will be dismayed by race-baiting.

You want legitimate, credible examples, eh? They abound, though I didn't want to take up space with a list. As you wish:

•Racist e-mail from Sherri Goforth, aide to the head of the Tennessee Republican Caucus;
•Racist e-mails from David Storck and Carol Carter, Hillsboro County (Fla.) Republican officials;
•"Obama Bucks" from a California Republican women's club;
•Racist jokes on Twitter from South Carolina Republican campaign manager Mike Green.

I could go on and on. Look 'em up if you doubt me. As you can see, all of these are linked to specific Republican officials. And the various racist screeds I've received myself have all come from people I personally know to be avid Republicans.

No, all Republicans are not racists. I don't think most are, or even a sizable minority. But for the last half-century the Republican party has strategically pandered to the racist fringe, seeking support from any quarter; a cynical but often effective move in elections where one or two percent decide the race. And now, facing overwhelming electoral losses and national marginalization, some Republican leaders are willing to throw anything they can at Obama and his appointees in a desperate search for some issue that will stick.

When reporters cease to employ the term "race," no one will be able to respond to it.

It is a construct long overdue for retirement.

Harold A. Maio

Let me get this straight, anyone who questions a minority for their racialy biased comments is automatically branded a bigot? Give me a break! How are these articles allowed on a national newspaper?

How typical of progressives to twist an agument on its head and present a false truth. I expect the deception. Let's change the wording or what she has said. Let's say that a wise white man would make better decisions that a black woman. My, doesn't that sound a rather racist? And she defended herself by saying she was trying to inspire fellow latinas?? Give me a break. I am a white male and I don't care what color or gender you are as long as you are the best choice for a job and as long as you see people as people and not segregate them into voting blocks and pander to them and make false promises.

Again this is an expected Progressive tactic, but it's always a little disappointing. Let's try to me a little more intelligent and honest, shall we?

don't put all obama supporters into the same boat...just because i support obama doesn't mean i can't recognize a bad article when i see one...obama was all about getting past race and why she is rehashing the race issue within this loosely associated context is beyond me...it's bipartisan, it's unnecessary, and quite frankly it's silly...as americans we really need to stop talking about race so much- everyone else in the world wishes we would just shut up about it and move on

Don't forget that there is also (after all J.K. Rowling is English) a strong dose of social class friction in the "Potter" series. I don't know, however, how much of that is registering with American "twenty-somethings".

What a despicable article. Claiming that Republicans on the examination of the proposed Supreme Court Justice are racist because they rightfully question her racist and her sexist remarks - remarks that she repeated on three occasions in three different venues. How is it that you are able to twist this line of questioning into a racist attack on her?

What trash!

Thoughtful column. What saddens me is the vitriol that emanates from both sides in the comments I read here. It is like we haven't learned anything from the 1950s onwards.

I too enjoy the Potter series but I think you have read too much of your own ideas into it.

First of all, the mudblood thing is more of an ever-so-much-more-so British conundrum of caste rather than racial prejudice. They are similar problems with similar effects but skin color/race is incidental to caste/class prejudice, while it is crucial to prejudice against hispanics...whatever their caste.

Second, the nauseating thing about the Republican club-wielding is making the reverse prejudice of which they accuse Sotomayer equal to the rank racism with which she has dealt all her life: racism these gentlemen have never seen from the receiving end.

Relying on the mudblood metaphor also ignores the effects of the well-intentioned use of affirmative action as a counterweight to racial prejudice. You have unwittingly conceded the Republican premise that affirmative action and racism are two sides of the same coin and they clearly aren't. There is no mudblood anti-defamation league nor rules to give mudbloods affirmative action.

Rowlings world is both simpler, since it isn't a "race" problem as you suggest, and much more complicated, as a caste/class problem with its admixture of stereotypes and deep prejudice. It doesn't really apply to this case and by omission obscures the extra dimension of affirmative action.

Republican hypocrisy remains true in any case.

Have you actually read the Harry Potter books? Because a mudblood is not a mixed wizard. A mudblood is the wizard offspring of two muggle parents. Half blood refers to having one muggle parent and one wizard parent. But why should you know that? The rest of the article is as poorly researched as your knowledge of the world of Harry Potter. Perpetuating the notion that the Republicans are against Sotomeyer for her race rather than her political and judicial leanings is irresponsible and inflammatory. Good to know The Washington Post is hiring such quality writers.

I have a question for the author of this inanity: what will you liberal media Obamabots use for a "club" on the American People when you don't have racism as an issue to promote?

To "champion the cause of racism" is to keep racism alive. To what purpose? And here I thought you Obamabots were interested in ending it. My bad.

WOW...how shocked I am by the above comments. What is going on in this country??? Threatening us with lines about Obamaphiles and Sotomayers-supporters being communistic, socialistic, Satan-followers?
Susan your commentary is right on - if anyone would know it is JK Rowlings. You hit a raw nerve here, you see, pointing out that a number of Americans hate to admit there is still prejudice in this country and that they themselves are guilty of that very sin; well, that is heresy. lol
Loved it!

I appreciated the commentary about racism... until it was turned into partisan politics. "Republicans" are racists. All of them! Sotomayor isn't, even though she has made racist comments (when heard out-of-context, which is something the hearings are supposed to resolve... whether context made a difference).

Basically the interesting commentary on the movie was really a red herring to draw people in and expose them to politics as usual. Really, really poor journalism. If your goal is to talk about Sotomayor, then state that up front, don't use a false pretext to do so.

I liked this article, but I didn't like the implication that young people only care about snogging and magic and coming of age.

Besides that, the below comments are not really grounded in much reality. Racism still persists, and charges of reverse racism I think indicates that we are gradually moving in the right direction. White males have benefited the most from policies that favor them for over a century now. Reversing that trend will require compromises and a recognition of this lopsided societal benefit. Having a fairer and more equal society is very hard and requires sacrifices from everyone, especially those who have had it easier for so long. But it is also the right thing to do.

Wow, what a big load of macaca!

Who wrote this column? Is this a joke? Did someone hack into the post and placed this article as prank?

I can't believe that anybody can seriously considering the questioning of Ms. Sotomayor as being racist. I am hispanic, and I am sure Ms. Sotomayor would have been "dead on the spot" had she made a similar comment as a white person. If anyone can be accused of being racist it is her. However, I have no faith in our so called "representatives" in DC. The demagoguery and populist rhetoric of the current administration (as highlighted by this nomination) is causing great damage to our republic.

Wake up people!

Racism as a "club?" The author of this sorry article needs to drop the liberal talking points and learn to think for herself. The Harry Potter series wasn't designed to be used as a "club" by the liberal media to further "beat" their political viewpoints into the American electorate. This is base, far beneath the level of responsible journalism and merely another reason why the media, by and large, are losing their readerships and their jobs.

I truly wish the Republicans would grow a pair. I also wish the author of this article, and others in the mainstream media, would take a step back from their blatant campaign to advance Obama's socialist agenda. In fact, I'd like to see the mainstream media grow a pair and return to ethics and morals and objective reporting. But I'm not holding my breath. Too much of what passes for journalism today is propaganda and boot-licking. Edward R. Murrow must be turning in his grave.

The mainstream media has squandered the esteem in which they were once held by the People of these United States. They should've stuck to the truth, but alas, they didn't.

Why is it that both parties can do the same thing but it is only racist if the Republicans do it? The Democrats used a [f]ilibuster against a conservative judge from Honduras. . . .

* * * * *

Not only that, but evidence was uncovered from Democrat staffers in the Senate that indicated that the primary reason for the filibuster was because of Miguel Estrada's ethnicity. Republicans, on the other hand, are pointing to questions of judgment, philosophy, and character in opposing Sonia Sotomayor. Seems to me that the author of this pathetic piece is operating in ignorance -- whether or not it is willful is the only question.

Why is it that both parties can do the same thing but it is only racist if the Republicans do it? The Democrats used a [f]ilibuster against a conservative judge from Honduras. . . .

* * * * *

Not only that, but evidence was uncovered from Democrat staffers in the Senate that indicated that the primary reason for the filibuster was because of Miguel Estrada's ethnicity. Republicans, on the other hand, are pointing to questions of judgment, philosophy, and character in opposing Sonia Sotomayor. Seems to me that the author of this pathetic piece is operating in ignorance -- whether or not it is willful is the only question.

Interesting in light of a recent experience. I sat next to a boy of 13 or so on a flight on the west coast, a really nice kid of mixed ancestry. He was a bit nervous about flying so I was chatting with him about school, families, etc. (I have two kids of my own)when he referred to me as one of the "purebloods." I couldn't believe it, and asked him to explain. He then launched into an incredibly racialist view of himself and all others according to color. This poor kid was so obviously the product of the lefty racialist claptrap he's been spoon-fed daily in California public schools-- all identity is racial, all differences are celebratory. In other words, social engineering at its worst.

I find it of note that Rowling said her favorite author was Jessica Mitford, a full fledged and unrepentant Communist until 1958. Just for the record that is someone who stayed fanatically with the Party through the shocks of the show-trial Purges, the Ukrainian famine, the 1939-1941 alliance with Hitler (flip), the war with Hitler (flop), the blatant violation of the promises of free elections in Eastern Europe, the crushing of the East German rising in 1953 and the Hungarian rising in 1956, and the revelations of Stalin's crimes in 1956.

What uproar would there for a popular author whose favorite writer was an equally dogged follower of Nazi-ism even after all sorts of revelations of its oppression, atrocities, and mass murder? What a disgusting double standard.

Finally, of interest is Steve Sailer's book "America's Half-Blood Prince" about Obama. Sailer has actually read Obama's autobiographies (TWO, while the man was in his 40s and before he accomplished ANYTHING), unlike most who buy them mostly for show, and has a fascinating and not unfriendly analysis.

so.. let's teach are children about the god of this world (satan) and glorie him..sad and we tell them in school there is no GOD. we all came from slime on a rock..

"I am not a twenty-something--it is the biting social commentary that interests me."

Because twenty-somethings couldn't possibly be interested in political and cultural commentary. No, they're clearly just in it for all the kissing.

I am a member of the first integrated class to graduate from The Sidwell Friends School. Before Sidwell Friends became part of the social engineering machinery of this country it was a meritocracy; if you performed you stayed, if you did not you were gone. The parallels with Hogwarts are numerous. When Sidwell started to integrate, as the liberals and socialists demanded, they took their children out and sent them elsewhere. This author's, and the Democrats', racism is there for all to see in its sycophantic slavering to Obama and Sotomayor.

Hi Lucilius,

Thanks for the note.

Just as there are those on the right I don't approve of, one could equally find those on the left who a reasonable person should not approve of. The accusations of racism, bigotry, and such started a while back and have been applied to Republicans and conservatives as a whole. You won't have credibilty if you can't make a legitimate argument and just come across as vicious.

This is a sad article. The term half-blood is reference to humans being mixed in with Wizards. It's not about black, white, Arab, or Jew.

And no one has been racist towards Sotomayor. She has been hit with legitimate questions, and none of them indicates that she has to follow a certain path of "Whitism". Stay true to the Constitution is all that we ask.

A literary/movie critic you are NOT. What complete garbage! Just more drivel from the racist Left, who long ago decided to use racism to divide a nation that had made great strides toward becoming a color-blind society of united Americans. It's too bad the Left doesn't have anything real to offer and has to stoop to this kind of trash. And, it's really too bad that the Post actually provides a forum for such unenlightened thinking.

I agree with you about the movie, but bringing your unwarranted Sotomayer opinion into the review? Pretty low. Here, check out this book I'm writing:
http://txtb.in/3ki

Why is it that both parties can do the same thing but it is only racist if the Republicans do it? The Democrats used a philibuster against a conservative judge from Honduras just last year; he was going to the 2nd court which could have spring boarded him to the Supreme Court.

Let’s face it he was shot down because the (D)s did not want the (R)s to have the first Hispanic judge in the top court and that is why they went after the guy.

The (R)s go after Sotomayor because she is a liberal; she happened to be the one that made a racially insensitive comment; that comment has made an effect on the American people, that being only 47% of the USA supports her and that is much lower than normal.

Even if you dig deep into Sotomayor’s comment and strip away the race issue the underlying meaning is that she as a minority who grew up poor has a better world view than middle or upper class white men and would make a better judge; and that problematic. Talk about divisive.

Seriously? What an embarrassing article or "movie review". Was this written by a 13 year old? If I insulted any teenagers, I apologize, as I am sure most of them understand the world a whole lot better than this writer. I feel sorry for this woman.

"the unseemly spectacle of conservative politicians using "racism" as a club to beat up Judge Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic American woman nominated to the United States Supreme Court."

Really!!!!?????
Ahhhhhh haaaaa haaaa haaaaa haaaa.

I think your article does a greater disservice to racial acceptance. While her Hispanic upbringing does provide her a very unique life perspective, it does not give her the right, as a prospective Supreme Court judge, to make judgments and decisions based on it. Lindsey Graham was absolutely right when he said that if her comments or judgments came from someone of a Caucasian race their political careers would be over. They have the duty, as a party of opposition, to ask tough questions. There is no doubt she will be confirmed, but our supreme court does not have room for such bias judgment for they are there to only interpret the constitution. Those questions need to be addressed. The fact that people like you keep making baseless arguments and accusations of racism like this will forever create an animosity among our diverse culture and never allow the people of our country to truly become colorblind.

Thistlethwaite's column, regardless of its merits, is utterly misplaced.

The "On Faith" description states it is an "online religious feature" (follow "About On Faith" link above for more detail) of the Washington Post. Strictly speaking, her piece does not meet that standard. At all.

Perhaps "On Faith" could begin including undoubtedly well-written sports scores, or news from the financial markets...

Good article, I appreciate the association with current times.

Minor point of clarification: "Mudbloods" doesn't refer to the mixed blood, but rather wizards who come from purely Muggle (non-wizarding) parents. I'm not one to normally correct others, but I am an HP dork...couldn't help myself.

Prior to the election, the left started using accusations of bigotry and racism on a level much more vicious than anything I can recall from the 60s. People on the right have responded out of frustration, often with unfair comments. The questioning in the Senate is perfectly appropriate. Were they simply to rubber stamp this candidate before asking if statments made by her could reflect a propensity to favor one segment of the population? Do you recall what happened to Bork when senators felt he might favor one segment?

I am sure the author of this article has not even considered that the direction of the comments these Republican Senators are directing at Nominee Sotomayor are trying to grapple with the reverse recism that she is so happy to portray, as she was no doubt guided to do by the current administration. It worked in the election of President Obama, and it should work for her. The racism issue discussed in HP has everthing to do with historical racism in the United States and other countries. It has nothing to do with this reverse racism that is a rather recent trend in American history.

And by the way, this author also has a condescending attitude toward Twenty-somethings. We are not teen-agers, please don't be so patronzing to the men and women that have to deal with one of the worst economies in decades, as well as the degraded societal values put in place by the proceeding generations. Snogging and dating are minor issues in contrast.

I love the Potter series. It is really great. Too bad our current administration is so racist. Obama and Sotomayor constantly rely on racism to advance their agenda. I agree with the writer, racism has never been as strong, even pre-1960, as it is now. It would truly be terrible to have a racist such as Sotomayor as a Supreme Court Justice. Every decision will be based upon race and gender prejudice rather than law.

In your reference to "racism" and Sotomayor, did you mean how she made a comment that reference a Latino can make better decisions then other races? Or he decision to uphold racism against the Connecticut firefighters?

Because if you read your article a certain way, the "racism as a club" remark can result in two things being construed from it. (1) That people who are related by only race to groups that oppress other races are some how responsible for that oppression. (2) Is that, its OK if a race that is a minority, is racist against a racial group who is related ONLY by race to another racist group of past or present.

I thought I should let you know that so you can fix it because IF that was what was meant it would be ignorant, and I am friends with many people that work with the Post and ALL of whom are NOT.
Thanks,
~S

These are children's books, not learning experiences for 20-somethings. 20-somethings grew up reading quality, original fantasy like The Dark Is Rising. And one would hope that that generation has progressed to reading adult fiction at this point.

These are children's books, not learning experiences for 20-somethings. 20-somethings grew up reading quality, original fantasy like The Dark Is Rising. And one would hope that that generation has progressed to reading adult fiction at this point.

Racial controversy over Obama's election "started from the left," Hipshot? I guess you missed the constant stream of racist jokes (many forwarded by Republican officials), bizarre and hysterical race-related rumors, and coded race-baiting that flowed from the right and continues today. I've gotten loads, and so has pretty much everyone I know. Didn't hear any of those, huh? Or did you approve?

When you refer to racism on display in the Sotomayor nomination/confirmation process, I assume you mean her decision to deny earned promotions to white firefighters?

The accusations of racism and bigotry that started from the left at about the time of the election reached a vicious level that I don't recall previously, even during the 60s. Some on the right are now responding with invalid accusations, but the questioning in the Senate is perfectly appropriate.

Good column. I love the Potter series for the story and characters. The social message about racism is just a bonus.