Itâ??s an interesting time for us to return to the world of Harry Potter. In many places the West seems to be sliding into the kinds of madness J.K. Rowling attributed to the wizarding community at its worstâ??leaders who use fear to breed isolationism and a sense of superiority; the scapegoating of other races and/or religions as a substitute for any actual policy; and with this, a greater readiness on the part of citizens to embrace and act on their prejudices.
Donald Trumpâ??s speech at the Republican National Convention is a case in point. Over and over he told the American people of the deep threats we find before usâ??the exploding crime rate, the burgeoning threat of terrorist nuclear states and the rising flow of illegal immigrationâ??including 180,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records who currently roam our streets, raping and killing our children. It was, as John Oliver described it on Sunday night, â??a symphony of bile and race-baiting.â?
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