I love the QSMP. Not only has it introduced me to many amazing international creators, it's also introduced me to the French and Brazilian community, who are so sweet, funny, and chaotic in their own unique ways. I love seeing fans sharing their culture and learning from one another, and I myself have learned a lot this past year. I think it's incredible how QSMP brings so many different people together – all of us united in our love and passion for this project and its goals.
But passion can often evoke strong emotions, and these strong emotions aren't always positive.
The past few months, I have seen multiple waves of hate, bad-faith generalizations of communities, and racist remarks directed at fellow fans – especially those who are part of the French / Brazilian community. This kind of behavior is inexcusable, and is in direct conflict with the mission of QSMP, which is to break language barriers and unite communities.
We are a global community with a variety of people from different backgrounds. Miscommunications may occasionally occur because of cultural differences and/or language barriers, but we should use these moments as opportunities to learn and engage with other people rather than assuming the worst about them and starting fights.
Although certain issues can be resolved with communication, sometimes it’s better to block and move on. Avoid spreading negativity or hate, and save yourself the headache of interacting with people who are just looking for someone to argue with.
No matter what community we're a part of or what languages we speak, we're all here to have fun. Please remember to be kind to each other. We have more in common than we have in conflict.
228 notes
·
View notes
Defending Lily
As someone involved in the Snape fandom, I’m frustrated by the unfair criticism Lily receives. It’s disheartening to see so much disdain directed at her character, especially when many of these judgments overlook the complexities of her situation. Despite being a minor character in the books, Lily is often misunderstood and unfairly vilified, and as a Snape fan, I feel compelled to defend her. Lily deserves a fairer assessment that considers her full context, rather than being unfairly vilified.
Lily ending her friendship with Snape
Lily was fully justified in ending her friendship with Severus after he called her a slur. Although Snape was being bullied and humiliated at that moment, such a hurtful term doesn't slip out easily—it was already part of his vocabulary. He used and associated it with Muggleborns in general among his Slytherin friends, as Lily pointed out when he attempted to apologize.
““…But you call everyone of my birth Mudblood, Severus. Why should I be any different?””
It's important to note that the slur wasn't the sole reason for the end of their friendship. Their relationship had been strained for some time. Snape had long been involved with a gang of Slytherins who aspired to join Voldemort and were deeply involved with the Dark Arts. Given that Lily, his best friend and a Muggleborn, was part of the very group his associates aimed to terrorize, his affiliations were deeply troubling. Despite Lily’s efforts to distance him from his dark associations with Mulciber and Avery, Snape remained entrenched in his choices. She had been excusing his behavior for years because she cared about him deeply and did not want their friendship to end. However, everyone has their breaking point. When he called her a Mudblood, it was the final straw. She could no longer overlook his behavior or excuse it.
“It’s too late. I’ve made excuses for you for years.”
And:
“I can’t pretend anymore. You’ve chosen your way, I’ve chosen mine.”
Ending the friendship was a painful but necessary decision. It's unfair to expect Lily to bear the burden of continuously trying to "save" Snape when he was unwilling to change his ways. Despite her attempts to guide him and communicate her concerns, his own choices ultimately drove them apart.
The "Smile" During SWM
Another point of contention is the exaggerated focus on Lily’s supposed 'smile' during Snape’s bullying. It wasn’t a smile—it was a very brief twitch of her expression. When James flipped Snape upside down, Lily’s expression twitched momentarily before she continued to defend him. Some people are really blowing this out of proportion.
““Lily, whose furious expression had twitched for an instant as though she was going to smile, said, “Let him down!””
From my perspective, her reaction seems to be an involuntary response to the sudden shock of seeing Snape's underwear. It's not uncommon to smile or refrain from smiling at inappropriate times due to shock or unexpectedness. Alternatively, it could be seen as an indicator of a shift in her and Snape’s relationship, considering their strained friendship. However, Lily's subsequent actions—defending Snape and admonishing James—demonstrate her clear disdain for bullying. Furthermore, the assumption that Snape called her "Mudblood" because of her reaction is also unlikely; Snape was too preoccupied with his own humiliation to notice a fleeting twitch. Harry, observing his parents closely, might have been the only one to catch it.
Criticizing Lily for this brief, involuntary reaction and portraying her as evil is deeply unfair. It shows that she is a flawed human being like the rest of the characters.
Lily's Stance Against Bullying
Another argument I’ve heard is that Lily didn’t defend Snape from the Marauders' bullying at all or does a half-assed job. While our information is limited, we do see her stand up to James when he and Sirius insult Snape on the train to Hogwarts in their first year. Before that, when Petunia called her a freak, Lily stood her ground and told her sister it wasn’t a nice thing to say.
"“Lily sat up, rather flushed, and looked from James to Sirius in dislike.
“Come on, Severus, let’s find another compartment.””
And:
“—you think I want to be a–a freak?”
Lily’s eyes filled with tears as Petunia succeeded in tugging her hand away.
“I’m not a freak,” said Lily. “That’s a horrible thing to say.”
Lily is depicted as a person who stands against injustice and bullying. She consistently demonstrates moral courage and empathy, defending those who are mistreated, even when it involves confronting her peers or family members. Her actions reveal a strong sense of fairness and a willingness to speak up for what is right, showcasing her integrity and compassion. Given this, it's likely she defended her best friend on numerous other occasions. Additionally, Snape probably kept most of the bullying incidents a secret from her, viewing it as humiliating. Even Sirius noted that Lily wasn’t aware that James continued to hex Snape in their seventh year. This suggests that it’s not far-fetched to assume Snape may have kept much of the bullying from her.
Lily's Marriage to James
At last, I understand why some might feel uneasy about Lily marrying James Potter, given his history as a bully toward Snape. It's completely reasonable to feel conflicted, as reconciling her choice with her past can seem challenging. However, it's important to note that by the time Lily had gotten with James, she and Snape hadn't been in touch for about two years. Their friendship had ended, and she was no longer involved in his life. This doesn’t mean she was dismissing her past with Snape; rather, she had moved on from that chapter of her life. As I mentioned earlier, Lily likely wasn’t fully aware of the extent of Snape's bullying. Additionally, she saw qualities in James that indicated he had matured to a point she could accept. Lily is not a grudge holder; she is a forgiving person who is willing to give second chances when she perceives change, which she probably saw in James.
All of this doesn’t diminish Snape’s suffering or the challenges he faced, but it highlights the complex realities of both their situations. It’s crucial to consider Lily’s perspective and avoid unfairly condemning her. She shouldn’t be demonized; her actions reflect her own limitations and struggles. Just like all the characters in the series, Lily was flawed and real. Recognizing this can help us move past the simplistic view of her as bad person and appreciate her as a multidimensional character who, like everyone, had her own battles and growth.
110 notes
·
View notes