Hufflepuff quote, Harry Potter Fan Art Photo Credit: the-jedi-ninja.deviantart.com

PROUD HUFFLEPUFF

I don’t know how many readers have I put off merely by the title of my post. If I have, I am sure you are not one of them, for you have come as far as the second sentence. I don’t aim to play the underdog card, or the nice card (as one might tag a Hufflepuff). If you like, I want to highlight the unjust, idiotic disparity of how stereotype narratives have shaped the accelerating demise of human values.

I have been a fan of the Harry Potter movies (yes, I have not read the books, but that is not what this blog is about, so ssshhhhh). One fine day, a group of friends (wherein I was present), were mulling over the whole concept of “houses” and the Sorting Hat. The inevitable question came up “What house do you think I am?” Now, there will be two sorts, one who aspire to be THE BRAVE GRYFFINDORS and others who are attracted by the MEAN SLYTHERINS. I was expecting to be called a WISE RAVENCLAW. Nobody talks about a Hufflepuff. Probably, not even the ones who were sorted in it, or Helga herself to that matter. But the consensus was, that I am a Hufflepuff. Nothing short of an insult. Even the ones who “sorted” me in there had a tone of apology. And it stayed on my mind for a long time. “I need to do something to improve my image”, I thought to myself.

Let us take a step back and check for a moment, why did I feel so?

There are no good people or bad people. But the society loves stereotypes. The Houses of Hogwarts are nothing short of it. The nice underdog who slogs without reward and always loses. The mean bully who is the strongest and almost always wins. The brave lion who stands up to the bully to protect the weak. I mean, give me a break. Life is much more vibrant and dynamic. These qualities all exist in everyone in differing proportions, which itself changes per time and circumstance. It has so become that being nice to someone, being kind, being loyal, and working hard are synonymous to underdog and weak qualities. While in fact, if anyone has achieved anything noteworthy, it is because of such qualities. Now some idiot (hope it’s not you), may spring up and say – “If hard work and kindness is enough, probably the coffee guy should be making most money. Smart work matters more”. And there lies the stupid brainwashing that needs to change. One assumes hard work to already be dumb. One assumes kindness to already be naive. It does not occur to the so-called evolved brain that they need not be opposites. If anything, hard work is a smart strategy and kindness is the smartest form of diplomacy.

THE ALPACA DOCTRINE ON HUFFLEPUFF:

Like all houses, Hufflepuff is a fantasy. But if it were true, it only needs more celebration. To say that it’s a jungle out there and it is “Kill or be Killed” is nothing but fear-mongering by selfish crooks, who prefer to “Kill”. Their fears and their lust for power has blinded them. The world is not kill or be killed. The world is “Survival of the fittest”. It is never about killing others. It is about BEING FIT YOURSELF. Only those who are too afraid to take that journey, rely on the fall/death of others for their own survival. They are afraid that they cannot make it unless someone else breaks. YOU HAVE A CHOICE. A choice to love, to be kind, to be fit. Choose to work hard, be friendly, be kind, be warm. It is not the opposite of being strong or tough. In a world full of crooks and selfish leeches, it takes a great deal of courage to trust someone with your kindness. Only then can there be friendship, family, love, and survival of LIFE.

So here I am, sorted to a Hufflepuff, proud of it. This cheerful Alpaca shouts out to anyone and everyone who dares to listen “You have a Hufflepuff in you! Don’t let it die. Maybe that is the best YOU!”