Anonymous asked:

Could you embellish on the 'genetic magic' trope?

Certainly, anon!

Genetic magic is when your magical abilities are a result of something in your blood. There are two flavors: inherited and random. We’ll call “inherited” the Lamp Type and “random” the Potter Type. The Lamp Type is when everyone who has the magic gene inherited it from their parent(s). The example I’m using for this is the Children of the Lamp series, where you inherit the magic gene from your mom. The Potter Type is when the gene randomly manifests itself in people. In Harry Potter, a child of magic user(s) has a high chance of being magical themselves, but children of completely Muggle parentage also have the chance of receiving the magic gene.

I happen to disagree with the genetic magic trope because it says you can only do something if you’re born with it. It’s an inborn trait rather than something you can acquire because your heart, courage, determination, or whatever. The most determined Muggle child can’t become a wizard, even if they’re smart, kind, willing, courageous, or any of those other positive traits. Instead, useless lumps like Crabbe and Goyle get it. Twits like Malfoy get it - all because they had the right parents. Honestly I’m surprised so few Tumblrites aren’t all over the genetic magic thing as an allegory of white/male/wealthy/Western privilege. I mean, think about it. You’re born into it, you don’t have a choice, and if you’re not born to the right people or at the right time or with the right genes, then you have little to no chance of “succeeding”.

I listed some alternatives to genetic magic here.