Grim Truth 2nd May, 1994
May. 2nd, 2011 02:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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alternityGreetings, British Journal-Readers,
Over the past few months, the moniker ‘Grim Truth’ has been used for a variety of purposes which, we are sure, would have sickened and disturbed the original author of the column. Although sadly, Sirius Black can never again provide truth from his own pen, we, his companions-at-arms, have determined that we can no longer maintain silence while his goals are corrupted and his writings are twisted by any insurgent who chooses to adopt his mien or his by-line.
Therefore, we have joined together to post this, a Grim Truth, which we believe Sirius Black would have endorsed.
First, we wish you to know that while Sirius deplored the Protectorate, he would never advocate murder. Whether your act is picking up a ‘sharp knife,’ as the eponymous Charlotte Smythe would have done, creating bombs, or the insidious and subtle preparation of poisons, as the latest iteration and author seems to direct, the real Sirius Black would never have condoned any of his followers committing such a crime against the soul. We can’t control anymore who chooses to publish articles claiming to be ‘Grim Truth,’ but whenever one appears and calls for murder, know that you are reading a false claim to the path he would have set.
Second, it is useful to note that the real Sirius Black always imbued his posts with a sense of humour - albeit, self-deprecating or unkind to his own heritage at times, but nonetheless, a certain insouciance could be read through his rhetoric. As everyone knows, humour is one of the most difficult tones to imitate, which may be why those who have come after him have not tried to capture this vital component of his posts. But while he approached his topics with a flair for the off-colour, he always advocated extreme caution when carrying out his advice.
Third, Sirius Black was a gentlewizard. Owing to his class, and later to the circumstances of his status as an irregular with Dumbledore’s freedom-fighters, Sirius Black never worked, nor did he have much contact with muggles or muggleborns. Consequently, any messages containing practical instructions such as drawings, mechanical information or any other 'working-class' information are unlikely to follow in his footsteps. Moreover, his messages were consistently aimed at the audience he knew best: other wizards and witches. Men and women who ought to have it in their power to change the face of the nation - not the oppressed who will surely suffer worst and first if they attempt to rise up on their own. His goal was to cause a majority of you, the citizens of the Protectorate, to come together and oppose the mistreatment of others in your care.
Now, some have argued that the latest ‘Grim Truth’ articles surpass Sirius Black’s own, because they provide concrete and specific actions one may take to express one’s utter disapproval of the status quo. Even among our number, some have become enthused by the recent spate of posts, which they have described as ‘empowering’ to any and all who may read them.
But ask yourselves: How would a muggleborn read the post? And how may he implement the recommendations made in them? Not without extreme personal risk, and certainly not without accomplices among the wanded set, who provide copies of the posts in a format that may be distributed far and wide. Now ask yourselves: Does that sound reasonable? Or does it sound like entrapment?
Finally, we utterly refute the claims in the last Grim Truth but one concerning the application of wandless magic. If magic could be directed in such a way, why would wizards and witches still use the time-honoured and tested tradition of employing wands for nearly all their spellwork? Although it is true that certain categories of magic must be mastered without wands, we believe that the author is in all likelihood trying to trap the hapless muggleborns who might heed his advice, while their captors stand by, laugh at their pathetic efforts, and subsequently clap them in irons - or worse, execute them - for their pains.
We, who keep his legacy alive, have taken the risk of debunking the false Truths, because it seems to us that whomever is offering the reckless and endangering courses of action outlined in the Grim Truth appearances of late does NOT have the best interests of muggleborns and muggles at heart. We believe that it is a scheme presented with such logic as to trick its readers into trying the techniques contained therein, and expose them to those who could take swift action against them. Do not succumb to the lies, particularly when packaged as if they are truth! Keep Sirius Black’s memory best by continuing to follow his course: Hold the truth in your hearts and wait for the right time to act.
Over the past few months, the moniker ‘Grim Truth’ has been used for a variety of purposes which, we are sure, would have sickened and disturbed the original author of the column. Although sadly, Sirius Black can never again provide truth from his own pen, we, his companions-at-arms, have determined that we can no longer maintain silence while his goals are corrupted and his writings are twisted by any insurgent who chooses to adopt his mien or his by-line.
Therefore, we have joined together to post this, a Grim Truth, which we believe Sirius Black would have endorsed.
First, we wish you to know that while Sirius deplored the Protectorate, he would never advocate murder. Whether your act is picking up a ‘sharp knife,’ as the eponymous Charlotte Smythe would have done, creating bombs, or the insidious and subtle preparation of poisons, as the latest iteration and author seems to direct, the real Sirius Black would never have condoned any of his followers committing such a crime against the soul. We can’t control anymore who chooses to publish articles claiming to be ‘Grim Truth,’ but whenever one appears and calls for murder, know that you are reading a false claim to the path he would have set.
Second, it is useful to note that the real Sirius Black always imbued his posts with a sense of humour - albeit, self-deprecating or unkind to his own heritage at times, but nonetheless, a certain insouciance could be read through his rhetoric. As everyone knows, humour is one of the most difficult tones to imitate, which may be why those who have come after him have not tried to capture this vital component of his posts. But while he approached his topics with a flair for the off-colour, he always advocated extreme caution when carrying out his advice.
Third, Sirius Black was a gentlewizard. Owing to his class, and later to the circumstances of his status as an irregular with Dumbledore’s freedom-fighters, Sirius Black never worked, nor did he have much contact with muggles or muggleborns. Consequently, any messages containing practical instructions such as drawings, mechanical information or any other 'working-class' information are unlikely to follow in his footsteps. Moreover, his messages were consistently aimed at the audience he knew best: other wizards and witches. Men and women who ought to have it in their power to change the face of the nation - not the oppressed who will surely suffer worst and first if they attempt to rise up on their own. His goal was to cause a majority of you, the citizens of the Protectorate, to come together and oppose the mistreatment of others in your care.
Now, some have argued that the latest ‘Grim Truth’ articles surpass Sirius Black’s own, because they provide concrete and specific actions one may take to express one’s utter disapproval of the status quo. Even among our number, some have become enthused by the recent spate of posts, which they have described as ‘empowering’ to any and all who may read them.
But ask yourselves: How would a muggleborn read the post? And how may he implement the recommendations made in them? Not without extreme personal risk, and certainly not without accomplices among the wanded set, who provide copies of the posts in a format that may be distributed far and wide. Now ask yourselves: Does that sound reasonable? Or does it sound like entrapment?
Finally, we utterly refute the claims in the last Grim Truth but one concerning the application of wandless magic. If magic could be directed in such a way, why would wizards and witches still use the time-honoured and tested tradition of employing wands for nearly all their spellwork? Although it is true that certain categories of magic must be mastered without wands, we believe that the author is in all likelihood trying to trap the hapless muggleborns who might heed his advice, while their captors stand by, laugh at their pathetic efforts, and subsequently clap them in irons - or worse, execute them - for their pains.
We, who keep his legacy alive, have taken the risk of debunking the false Truths, because it seems to us that whomever is offering the reckless and endangering courses of action outlined in the Grim Truth appearances of late does NOT have the best interests of muggleborns and muggles at heart. We believe that it is a scheme presented with such logic as to trick its readers into trying the techniques contained therein, and expose them to those who could take swift action against them. Do not succumb to the lies, particularly when packaged as if they are truth! Keep Sirius Black’s memory best by continuing to follow his course: Hold the truth in your hearts and wait for the right time to act.
