#Mr. Potter

[parokka]

[shrinkrants]

I was watching my favorite Christmas movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Mr. Potter, the film’s cranky, old, uber-rich villain serves as a fine representative of the oligarchs of the US mafia state.  In my favorite scene–one that may have helped shape my politics as a child–our hero George Bailey stands up to Mr. Potter, who is attempting to liquidate the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan, which would effectively put an end to affordable housing in Bedford Falls, the fictional small town where the story takes place. In pushing back against Potter’s mockery of the establishment’s policies, which have allowed a number of working class renters to become homeowners, Bailey delivers an iconic speech, saying:

What'd you say just a minute ago? They had to wait and save their money before they even thought of a decent home. Wait? Wait for what?! Until their children grow up and leave them? Until they're so old and broken-down that… You know how long it takes a working man to save five thousand dollars? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about, they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him, but to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well, in my book he died a much richer man than you'll ever be.

We could really use some of George Bailey’s energy right about now. Potter is similarly useful, in an emblematic sense. After all, the Grinch and the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge were capable of redemption. To pretend that the oligarchs of the US mafia state can be morally redeemed would avail us nothing. They are our enemies, and they are attacking our very ability to survive. Elon Musk is a neo-Mr. Potter, operating at scale. To Musk, a warped, deluded, ego-obsessed man, we’re cattle. While many people in the United States lack a coherent political analysis, they do understand that they are being screwed. The public’s reaction to Mangione and his alleged crime make that much clear. The public celebration of Mangione is reminiscent of the fandoms that formed around Depression era bank robbers like John Dillinger. Rather than condemning people for “bloodlust” (as though the indifference to bloodletting that typically defines life in the US is somehow morally superior to applauding a single death), it is crucial that we understand Mangione’s folk hero status as a flash of class consciousness. The outrage people are feeling at insurance companies should be encouraged and expanded to include the billionaire and corporate classes as a whole. 

In fact, there is no better target for the public’s ire in this moment than the richest man in the world, who just used his multi-billion dollar social media platform to spread misinformation at scale, thwart pediatric cancer research, deprive workers of their paychecks, and make life less livable for people on reservations.

I am not advocating for violence, of course. I am not a violent person. I am an organizer. I want people to organize. Simply applauding the violence of outlaws, while potentially cathartic, will not save us (though I will admit to sharing Mangione memes with my friends, pretty much daily). What we need is a sharpened sense of who the villains in our stories are, and the will to mobilize in defense of our shared interests. 

-- Kelly Hayes

[arcticdementor]

George, I am an old man and most people hate me. But I don't like them either, so that makes it all even.

—Henry F. Potter (Lionel Barrymore), "It's a Wonderful Life"

[fromduck]

Me with you guys simping over hot men

[judgingbooksbycovers]

Mr. Potter: A Novel

By Jamaica Kincaid.

[digitkame]

4 years after graduation wasn’t long enough for Filch to forget the silhouette of a spidery student skulking around in the dark.

I saw a post (can’t remember by whom) that said something along the line of Snape probably getting mistaken for a student by Argus Filch when he first started teaching at Hogwarts. I thought it was funny, so I put it into a drawing🌝

[lunarlivs]

after leaving school harry starts journaling, here’s august -99

some closeups bc my handwriring is tiny sorry

[moondustinfj]

Mr. Evans *storming in* : You got three seconds to explain yourself Potter! First you got my Lily pregnant-

Regulus: You got Lily pregnant?!

James: WHO DID?!

Mr. Evans: YOU DID!

James: -yes. *turns to Regulus* Yes I did but it was just a one night thing before you and I got together, it meant nothing.

Mr. Evans: Oh really?! That's what my daughter means to you? Nothing?!

James: No, sir! She means a lot to me! I mean I care- I love Lily.

Regulus: What?!

James *whips his head around*: But not THAT way. I mean I'm not in love with her. I love her like a friend.

Mr. Evans: That's how you treat a friend? You get her in trouble and you refuse to marry her?!

James: Hey! I offered to marry her!

Regulus: Wha-

James *quickly turns back to him*: But I didn't want to.

Mr. Evans: And why not?! So you can spend your life with this minikin??

Regulus: MINIKIN?!-

James: Oh, I'm sorry. Regulus, Mr. Evans. Mr. Evans, Regulus.

Regulus: How could you keep this from me?

James: I was going to tell you but-

Mr. Evans: But what?! You think you can get what you want and dump him like you did Lily??

James: Hey, I did not dump Lily!

James *to Regulus*: NOR ARE WE STILL TOGETHER.

*the phone starts ringing*

James: oh can I- just..

Mr. Evans: *death stare*

James: -why don't we just let the machine get that?

*beep*

*Sirius on voicemail* : Hey, mate. Just a reminder, tomorrow night we're taking care of Remus' furry little problem. You know he needs your prongs or he gets extra sore the morning after. I'll pick you up at 8.

*beep*

Mr. Evans:

James: NO!

Regulus:

James: NO! NO NO NO! I-

Mr. Evans:

James: I need to lie down..

[shadyblacklin]

sirius: *lying on remus* tell me a secret, moons

remus: okay, listen regulus and james are dating like 3 months

sirius: ...

sirius: well, enough secrets

[parokka]

some more quick concept art for the au

not satisfied with the color palettes so i might modify them a bit at some point

[kippipies]

And I just can try to face The dark inside my head

[thepastisalreadywritten]

27 September 2024

—

Dame Margaret Natalie Smith CH DBE (28 December 1934 − 27 September 2024) was a British actress.

Known for her wit in comedic roles, she had an extensive career on stage and screen over seven decades and is one of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actresses.

She received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for six Laurence Olivier Awards.

Smith was one of the few performers to earn the Triple Crown of Acting.

🖤🕯️🖤

[celestialgalaxyglow]

Lily: This is my boyfriend James, and this is James’ boyfriend Regulus. 

Mrs. Evans: Oh… Sorry what’s the situation? 

Lily: What do you mean?

Mr. Evans: How does this work?

Lily: Well, James and Regulus got together first, a year later James and I got together, and were all planning to move in together next year after Regulus graduates. 

Mr. and Mrs. Evans: …

[itsriotmotherfuckers]

What if trophy-husband, stay-at-home-dad, wife-guy James and famous-chemist, working-mom, breadwinner Lily?

[daddiesdrarryy]

Sirius: Oh, look at my boyfriend dressing up as a Muggle lifeguard for Halloween. He is gorgeous! I can’t wait to drown!

James: …