S.P.E.W. Term XVII, Activity #2: The Logistics of Freeing House-Elves

[mandyloo.livejournal.com]

By popular demand, I bring you our next activity- a discussion!

Activity: The Logistics of Freeing House-Elves
Dates: Now until 11:59 pm July 12, MST (5:59 am July 13, UTC)
Points: 10 points for first comment, additional comments 2 points each, up to 30 points. Points for bonus items if you have them.
Details: Hermione was adamant about winning better working conditions, fair wages, and time off for House-Elves. But it takes more than wanting something to make it happen. How would you convince a house-elf that they needed to be free? How would you convince the Ministry that their freedom was necessary?

Initial comments (for 10 points) must be at least 4 sentences long. Additional comments should be at least 2 sentences.

Ideas for talking points:
~ What exactly should we change for House-elves?
~ How would you go about talking to this with the house-elves?
~ How would you bring this up with the Ministry?
~ How would you promote this with the general public?
~ Feel free to reply to others' initial comments when making your later comments. But please be polite! No bashing other people's ideas, but you don't have to agree with them either.

~ Sign each comment with your Name/House! Failure to do so means no points for you!

~ Remember, you must be on the roster to get points, so be sure to sign up before the activity ends!

kilobites , silvertigerx - you will each get +5 bonus points for suggesting this activity, if you participate! :)

Comments

[fvck.livejournal.com]

I believe that the key to house elves' freedom is knowledge. The more house elves know about their working conditions when compared to the rest of the world, the more they will be willing to break free of the bonds of servitude, or at least take some vacation time. I also believe that the more the Ministry knows about house elves, their treatment, and their customs, the more able they will be to help house elves everywhere.

Of course, I still believe that in the end, the decision is up to the house elf. As long as they are aware of what their options are, I believe that if they choose to serve as a living, that's their prerogative. However, house elves like Dobby (I'm sure there are lots more charismatic, leader types among house elves!) could serve as a wonderful rallying point — if other house elves can take a lesson from the late Dobby, they will probably be much more likely to weigh their options more thoughtfully.

Caitlin // Ravenclaw

[kimberry531.livejournal.com]

I would agree that giving the elves more information is a good first step. I think if they are given the information and they fully understand it, then they can make a fair decision.

Kimberly\Gryffindor
2

[los-york.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with you. If the house elves have enough knowledge what's out there, they can easily make their own decisions and not get lost with everything. And it's their own choice to leave their home; some of them actually like where they work, i.e. Kreacher.

Olivia//Gryffindor

[cyyt.livejournal.com]

I think they already know about their working conditions compared to the world; they aren't living in a box, neither are they stupid. It's just that they don't want any of these benefits that could be given to them.

I don't know if the house-elves would follow Dobby. They didn't seem very pleased when they heard he was getting paid...

Candice//Gryffindor

[prongsy.livejournal.com]

I agree. Knowledge on ALL sides would be essential. Elves need to experience tastes of freedom, be allowed to own things, be things, and humans need to see that elves are thinking, feeling creatures, too.

Beth | Gryffindor