Foreign Policy Article Compares War with Voldemort to Current World Issues
MiscAugust 12, 2011, 07:44 PM
In a very cleverly written article sent to us by Leaky reader Valerie K., the end of the war with Voldemort as written by J. K. Rowling, is compared to current foreign policy issues facing the Muggle world today:
A legitimate process must hold the victors to account as well. Remember, under the ruthless Barty Crouch, the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Law Enforcement was itself formally authorized to use unforgivable curses, including torture, against suspected Death Eaters, and innocent suspects were imprisoned after what were essentially show trials. When the ministry came under Voldemort's sway, how many of its employees went along with the abuses it committed? What about the controversial decisions made by those who are widely seen as heroes, like Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore -- for, say, his use of child soldiers? What of Harry Potter himself, who once used the torture curse?
One way to address these challenges would be to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission modeled on the experience of Muggle South Africa. Rank-and-file Death Eaters and collaborators -- as well as those who fought against them -- would be given the opportunity to testify about their actions and be forgiven for those less serious offenses to which they fully and honestly confessed. Such a process would not only be cathartic, but would also help establish a more accurate and complete version of these traumatic events and could, in turn, become part of Hogwarts's curriculum. It would be important to ensure, however, that those who testify to such a commission tell the truth voluntarily, and not under the influence of Veritaserum.You can read more of the article here. Many thanks to Valerie K. for sending this our way!
What an interesting metaphor! I thought it was bloody brilliant!! I never would have thought of that, but it makes so much sense. The Wizarding world and the Muggle do have things in common.