InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I'm giving you the eeeevil eye"

Justin E. Finch-Fletchley (justifiability) wrote in neeps,
@ 2017-12-13 10:45:00

Entry tags:

! journal, justin finch-fletchley

Ran into one of my old, old mates from primary school as he was home for the Christmas Holidays. We played the 'what have you been up to' game. So that was fun. I'd ask when did it turn into a competition, but lets be honest its always been one of those.

[Ernie]
Just so you know, I am using my voice.

[Muggleborn Contingent]
So I have extra pens if you want them, even though the next game isn't going to be until the middle of next month. They're charmed to read Muggleborn and Proud and if you want can be charmed to have colour changing ink ~~to prove someone wrong~~.

Also, I don't know if anyone else noticed, but The ~~Profit~~ Prophet hasn't addressed the Pink Campaign when it comes to their match coverage. They did report on on our appearance at the BIL hearings on 30 November. Nothing since then.

So I drafted a letter to the editor, if you would like offer your suggestions.

Draft of Justin's Letter

To the Editors of the Daily Prophet,

Why? It is a simple question. A question that should be on the tip of every journalist's tongue. However, it seems to me that this basic question seems to be either ignored or forgotten when it comes to your coverage of the Quidditch matches since 1 December 1999. So I will ask it for you.

Why are muggleborns wearing pink? This includes the players on the pitch, staff members and reserves on the sidelines, and supporters in the stands.

I am sure this comes as a surprise to many of your readers who may not have the ability, for various reason, to attend Quidditch matches on a regular basis. I will do my best to explain as I do not think it is a terribly difficult concept, but one that again, The Prophet, failed to adequately address and cover.

Muggleborns wish to be visible.

Because, without some visible outward sign we look just like any witch or wizard. Previously, Isla Cameron quoted one of the most treasured Muggle playwright in history, William Shakespeare. I too will quote him, with some minor changes,

I am a Muggleborn.
Hath not a Muggleborn eyes?
Hath not a Muggleborn hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?
Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Wizardborn is?
If you prick us, do we not bleed?
If you tickle us, do we not laugh?
If you poison us, do we not die?

We have just come out of a War, which was primarily fought over who should be allowed to be a part of society by virtue of pedigree alone. I do not wish to debate the morality of the War, though I do wish we can all agree that genocide and dictatorship are not models to live up to. However, my point is that without the outward visible signs of pink adoring Quidditch kits and gear or us donning pink clothing you would never know we were different from anyone else.

We will not be ignored. We will be listened to. We are here to stay.

Justin E. Finch-Fletchley
Longhaven House
4 Moray Place
Edinburgh, UK

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

	justifiability 2017-12-14 02:41 am UTC (link)
	Though planes do travel at a much higher speed. [Ernie] It wasn't too accusatory? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	closedcaptioned 2017-12-14 02:44 am UTC (link)
	But not, ultimately, as fast as portkey. [Justin] ... isn't it the point to be accusatory? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	justifiability 2017-12-14 02:58 am UTC (link)
	No, but technology has not reached the point that it can beat out magic in everything. [Ernie] Not if it's going to put people on the defensive. That scenario normally doesn't end well. I just want to bring attention to the Prophet's failures. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Justin closedcaptioned 2017-12-14 03:17 am UTC (link)
	I... think anything you write will put people on the defensive, Justin. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Ernie justifiability 2017-12-14 03:31 am UTC (link)
	I probably shouldn't put my full address then. But angry owls will find me anyway, won't they? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Justin closedcaptioned 2017-12-14 03:48 am UTC (link)
	You can put my address - I'll take them, no problem. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Ernie justifiability 2017-12-14 04:18 am UTC (link)
	That doesn't seem very fair (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Justin closedcaptioned 2017-12-14 04:24 am UTC (link)
	I think you should do it anyway. Write the letter to the Prophet I mean. Sure, it's inflammatory, but... well, you're angry aren't you? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Justin justifiability 2017-12-14 04:42 am UTC (link)
	Well yes, I am planning to send it anyway. But it doesn't feel fair to foist it on you. Even if you do offer. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Justin closedcaptioned 2017-12-14 04:45 am UTC (link)
	1) I live in the middle of nowhere, not in a densely populated city around Muggles 2) I think seeing 'Macmillan Park' on the line will throw people for a loop. 3) Might do my grandmother some good to hear some howlers on the subject. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Ernie justifiability 2017-12-14 04:57 am UTC (link)
	If you're sure, but you get to answer the questions when people start asking when we started shacking up together. Or you know when I suddenly decide to crash on your couch and never leave. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Justin closedcaptioned 2017-12-14 05:00 am UTC (link)
	Er I mean that wouldn't be Justin, you are not a second-class citizen. You can have a bed. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Ernie justifiability 2017-12-14 05:03 am UTC (link)
	That was an expression. You know I'd start demanding a bed by the second night. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Justin closedcaptioned 2017-12-14 05:16 am UTC (link)
	There is no way you'd wait until the second night. You'd just sigh and groan suggestively. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Ernie justifiability 2017-12-14 05:29 am UTC (link)
	There would be no suggestion. I'm the guest remember? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Justin closedcaptioned 2017-12-14 05:31 am UTC (link)
	Do you want the guest room? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Ernie justifiability 2017-12-14 07:00 pm UTC (link)
	Obviously. I heard you spoke to Jason at the Montrose game. Everything get explained alright? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Justin closedcaptioned 2017-12-14 08:52 pm UTC (link)
	I hope you like dead animals. Not totally, but that was my own fault for getting him in the locker room post-game. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Ernie justifiability 2017-12-15 12:14 am UTC (link)
	I don't know if they're better than live ones. What wasn't explained? I might have my own opinions on things, but it could help. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Justin

closedcaptioned
2017-12-15 12:26 am UTC (link)

I asked what the pink was about and he gave me a slightly odd look and then said it was about Muggleborn solidarity and I asked him what he hoped to achieve and... that part I didn't quite catch: truth of our history, exercise (??), race riots, demanding us to be better (I'm not sure which us he was talking about, though). Then I asked him if anyone could wear it and he said that it was just for Muggleborns but that they'd have ways for allies to help soon.

So I guess what I am confused about is what the goal is. With the pink. But I think you answered it. It's a way for Muggleborns to find each other in a crowd and feel less lonely. Is that right?

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Justin

justifiability
2017-12-15 12:36 am UTC (link)

What I'm discovering is that it means different things to different people.

For me, it's making the point that unless muggleborns as a whole specifically single ourselves out, you wouldn't know we weren't born within wizarding society. So why the hell are we considered exceptions and anomalies?

Some just want muggleborns to wear the colour. Others think it should be worn by muggleborns and their supporters.

I'm beginning to think we should pitch the whole pink thing. Maybe it's time for a different colour, but frankly I just want fellow muggleborns to have a fair chance.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Justin closedcaptioned 2017-12-15 12:38 am UTC (link)
	See. They do need someone to organize them. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Ernie justifiability 2017-12-15 01:20 am UTC (link)
	Not me though. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Justin closedcaptioned 2017-12-15 02:51 am UTC (link)
	Wrong! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Ernie justifiability 2017-12-15 03:46 am UTC (link)
	I'm a nearly 20 year old with no name recognition. Powerful friends and/or allies, but not anything that belongs to me. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)