Autoethnography
Since I'm often the 'other' because I don't know what Their terms are, I decided to write my autoethnography from the point of view from someone who's existence as the 'other' I can see and understand: Sirius Black—the other of Gryffindor and later his family—from Harry Potter. This is a series of letters outlining his struggle to reconcile his family's beliefs with those of his friends.
A Brief Disclaimer: The Harry Potter book series was created by JK Rowling. I have borrowed these characters and their ideas from her, and I am grateful for the world she created. It's fun to play with.
An Inconvenient Author's Note: I wrote these letters in place of an essay I was assigned after reading Arts of the Contact Zone by Mary Louise Pratt. It is meant to be an Autoethnography, though I may have missed my mark. Regardless, I present you with this piece. I hope you will enjoy it and review. Like everything I write, there's room for improvement and extension.
September 2, 1971
Dear Mother and Father,
I'm a Gryffindor. The Hat said I was brave, because I'm a Blood Traitor even though I live with you.
I made three new friends (kinda). James Potter is from a family of Blood Traitors. He really likes Quidditch, and his whole family is are Gryffindors. He's really groovy. We sat together on the Hogwarts Express, and we were late for Transfiguration together. Remus Lupin is really ace, too. His dad is Pureblood, but is mom's a Mud-Blood. He got really mad at me for saying that. James says that's 'cause you're not supposed to say Mud-Blood. He says it's really bad. Did you know that? Anyways, Remus reads a lot too much. And I'm friends with Peter Pettigrew. He won't tell me how Pure his Blood is. I think he might be a Mud-Blood Muggle-Born because he's a bit slow.
I hope you're not too mad about Gryffindor. I won't come home for Christmas, if you want.
Sincerly Sincerely,Sirius Black
September 4, 1971
Dear James, Remus, and Peter,
I'm sorry for calling you guys those things I said. My family are all supporting the Dark Lord He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named. I know it is wrong to say Mud-Blood, because Blood isn't important.
Sincerely,
Sirius Black
July 18, 1976
To My Not-Quite-Dear Parents,
I have left home. You should not expect me to return. I hate you both, and everything you have ever stood for. If you care to wonder why, keep reading.
I have never been a Black. I am not made for your Noble and Most Ancient House. I do not agree with the magic you practice, how you practice it, why you practice it. I am a blood traitor.
But just so you know, I am proud of my family.
I am proud to share bloodlines with Isla, for betraying your beliefs to marry a Muggle.
I am proud to be in the family of Phineas, because he supported the rights of 'inferiors.'
I am proud of my relation to Cedrella, who became a Muggle-loving Weasley.
I am proud of cousin Andromeda; she broke away from the family to wed Ted Tonks.
And I am proud of myself, because I grew up in this Noble and Ancient House, and I am betraying it. I have left here, to befriend Mud-Bloods, who stubbornly practice magic, no matter what their sisters think. Shape-Shifting Half-Blooded freaks, who are helping a world that shuns them, and continue to hope that when all is said and done, they will be accepted. And Young Men of Vague Blood Purity, who try to be strong, even when they're terrified. And Purebloods, who will squander that purity, wreck their names, to stand against your society for what is right.
I will battle your Dark Lord, and I will defeat him. And if I have to burn you off my family tree to do that, I will. I will fight in this War, if it means tearing these walls apart. I will take down Voldemort, and his followers. You. Bella. Lucius. Even Regulus.
I know you will never accept it, but I wanted you to understand. This War is important to me. Sadly, so are you.
It will hurt to abandon you on your sinking ship of forsaken ideas, but I have to, because even though this is irrevocably my Bloodline, this will never be my House again.
No Longer Yours,
Sirius Black