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

[cyyt.livejournal.com]

Frankly, I don't think they want to be paid. Look at the other house-elves' disgust when they talked about Dobby being paid (if I recall correctly). Also, I don't think the Minister would actually want to discuss such business. He does benefit from this (if he does have a house-elf). I think the whole wizarding community has similar feelings to this; it's a win-win situation for both groups: house-elves want to work like slaves, the wizards receive free labour. So until someone (like Hermione) feels like that, nothing will be done.:|



Candice//Gryffindor

[princessbloomy.livejournal.com]

Well, something should be done, so they are more comfortable.
Actually, that is kind of silly, because I don't really know what they could do with money. This is quite an issue really, but I am sure the Minister could be persuaded if you came to him with the right reason and attitude and IF the house elves actually agreed.
What bothers me is, why help someone who doesn't want your help. Why should we free them, if they were ~created~ to serve. It just doesn't make sense and I think Hermione's view is very noble, yet incredibly silly.

Victoria//Slytherin

[clzair.livejournal.com]

But just because house elves are currently disgusted at the idea of being paid, that doesn't mean that will always be the case. I think once you start talking change, wages will be something that will eventually come into the picture. And just because we pay house elves or treat them nicer does not mean that we stop benefiting from them. I think it's in the nature of a house elf to "belong" to a master or have some sort of connection with a being, so I don't feel like the elves will just start clamoring for freedom, thus keeping things in a nice balance.

Claire//Hufflepuff/3