Today, on the 20th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, it is statistically certain that you did an online quiz to sort you into a Hogwarts house. (Anyone who didn’t can see themselves out quietly).
Most likely, that quiz isn’t the first time you’ve considered where the Sorting Hat would place you. As a child – and again, frequently, as an adult – I have been consumed by contemplation of the four Hogwarts houses: brave Gryffindor, clever Ravenclaw, ambitious (and occasionally evil) Slytherin, and Hufflepuff, which apparently bundles up all the students with no real skills in any useful areas and softens the blow of their rejection from the better houses by telling them they’re really “nice”.
Top Comments
Hufflepuff has been an extremely popular House in the fandom for a LONG time now. And it's a terrific House. But, contrary to common misconception, kindness is not a canonical Hufflepuff value. The Hufflepuff values are hard work, patience, loyalty, and fairness. (Note: "toil" does not mean "working in the fields." Just working. Hard.)
Respectfully, I find it ironic that this article complains about Hufflepuff stereotypes while perpetuating stereotypes about Slytherin House. And it also has a somewhat confusing reading on the culmination of the Harry Potter series. Yes, of course the books were about love (which is not equivalent to kindness, although both are essential). But we see powerful love in characters from all four Houses. Not to mention that Harry is a Gryffindor, so the idea that his most characteristic virtue is a Hufflepuff thing doesn't make much sense. Nor does the idea that this is why he triumphed over Voldemort. Give Gryffindor credit where credit is due, because Harry's courage was absolutely necessary for him to make the sacrifices that he did.
The real point, though, is that all four Houses were instrumental in the fight against Voldemort. All four Houses have merit. And it's a shame that this article felt the need to devalue other Houses to show how awesome Hufflepuff is. Hufflepuff is awesome, Ravenclaw is awesome, Slytherin is awesome, and Gryffindor is awesome. Be proud of whoever you are and see the value in everyone! <3
"Being fair, and treating people equally and with respect, aren’t throwaway traits that just anyone can possess."
Maybe your intent differs from my interpretation. It sounds like you're saying that not everyone can possess the traits of being fair and treating others with respect, which is a notion I would argue vehemently against. It's true that not everyone *does* treat others fairly or with respect, but since these are choices, not talents, everyone *can*.
We absolutely agree, though, that these choices — and the rest of what makes a Hufflepuff a Hufflepuff — are far more valuable than our society tends to give them credit for.