04 ~ Extra credit

[a_bookish_witch]

It appears I am putting a bit of a study session together on the need to understand history of the struggles and suffering of various magical creatures in order to be able to properly advocate on their behalf in the present, and into the future

Comments

[flying_stag]

Is this about Wednesday night? I thought it was just about the vampires? And... Just us?

[a_bookish_witch]

Well, vampires are one of the many misunderstood magical creatures out there. They make for a good departing point.

In time, the entire list of creatures considered to be "near-human intelligence" should be examined. (Honestly! Werewolves and centaurs are both on those lists! Werewolves should be classified as human, and centaurs are far more wise than humans will ever be!)

[flying_stag]

I agree with you on the werewolf thing, completely. I mean, they're human for almost the entire month. I mean, if I remember correctly and all that. Don't know much about centaurs. They seem to like to be left alone. So we'd have to think about what they want, wouldn't we?

[a_bookish_witch]

They are, and yet they're considered half-breeds. In my opinion, they're still fully human. They just... aren't at the full moon, if that makes any sense whatsoever.

Centaurs do like to be left alone. However, if you were to pay attention in History of Magic, you would know how their land has been continually restricted, and how those that refuse to follow the increasingly harsh restrictions have been systematically... shall we say, disposed of?

[flying_stag]

I think I definitely need to do more reading on werewolves and centaurs to form a really strong opinion. I look forward to you teaching me.

I still think that SPEW as it is right now is pointless, I have to say. House elves WANT to be owned.

[a_bookish_witch]

Firstly, it's not SPEW, it's S.P.E.W.

Secondly, there are far more than just one acronym related to the overall cause that can be shortened down to this. Such as Society for the Protection and Equality of Werewolves, or Society for the Preservation of Equestrian Wilderness.

[flying_stag]

That sounds great but you've already got S.P.E.W. associated with the idea of freeing house elves. I think that if you want to expand the charter, you really ought to change the acronym so that people ask what it means. They already know what S.P.E.W. stands for, so they won't ask.

I'm all for raising awareness, but I don't think S.P.E.W. is the answer. We could meet up sometime to discuss it, come up with another acronym that would make people ask questions.

[a_bookish_witch]

But I still have so many S.P.E.W. badges waiting for distribution!

[flying_stag]

Couldn't we charm them to say something different? That way they're not wasted, but they go on to help us with a larger goal.