Hello folks,
Is there anything in canon that says that the purebloods treat non-magical beings with contempt? I am not talking about house elves (we know Lucius treatment of Dobby, and Araminta Melliflua's beheading of house elves), I am speaking of the other magical beings like goblins, centaurs, merfolk, giants, etc. Umbitch's prejudices apart, is there anything in canon that would show pureblood disdain for other creatures? Off the top of my head, I cannot recall too many instances, but then I have not read the books in years and don't have them with me at the moment.
Regards,
Maidros

 

Pretty much the entirety of the Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them foreword.

 

Everyone stays away from Hagrid when it's known his half-gaint.
Remus quits his job because it's known his a werewolf.
Goblins are treated with contempt.
Centaurs are hated by Umbridge, so it's probable that others do as well.

 

I can't remember, but weren't the goblin wars against wizards?

 

rebellions yes

 

They called them wars in the Brazilian version. I hate the woman that translated the books.

 

Goblin Rebellions in the Finnish ones, and the English Editions that were sold here in Finland... There were several references to Prof. Binns droning on about Goblin Rebellions.
But still, I dunno about the British editions, you have to ask Taure & Co. for info on those

 

I don't think that wizards treat magical creatures any differently than we muggles treat animals in the real world. The readers are only more prone to take offence because the victims can have intelligent conversations, which is perhaps understandable.

The situation with werewolfs and Vampires is more similar to traditional prejudice against black people and Jews, IMHO.

 

Canon does seem to indicate prejudice to an extent, the Half breed press for Hagrid in fourth year, apparently its shameful and Hagrid expected to be shunned for it.

 

I think it's more dislike rooted in fear then prejudice.

Giants for one are said to be very aggressive. Then we have werewolf's that go berserk on full moon.

There hardly are any magical beings that are "nice". So I don't really think the dislike/fear/prejudice for them is completely unfounded.

 

Centaurs and Goblins, while arrogant and generally nasty, are still treated with the same prejudice as werewolves and giants, despite their less intimidating nature. Then there are the house elves, who are practically harmless under normal circumstances and some are still treated poorly by their masters.

The fact is that witches/wizards in general see themselves as better than the rest of the magical species and have acted on that belief accordingly. Sure, some creatures may be feared more than others, and are treated worse for that, but prejudice and dislike are almost a fundamental part of the Wizard World. Even a Ron, whose family are always shown to be 'perfect' in Harry's eyes, is wary of Hagrid once it's found out he's half-giant; which shows how he must have been raised with those values imparted to him.

 

Which was surprising considering how much that Rowling adores the weasels.

 

Isn't prejudice always rooted in fear? At least fear of the diferent, of the unknown. If so, doesn't matter if the dislike is rooted in fear, it'll be prejudice anyway.