Why Slytherins Aren't Evil

Like many children when the Harry Potter books came out, I was obsessed. I quickly figured out my house, only to find that I, like many others, am a Slytherin. Ambitious, Cunning, Resourceful, and Determined. I embraced the house happily. As a snake lover and a hopeful future entrepreneur even then, it fit. So as time when by and my house became seen only as the evil house, I could not help but be upset by the portrayal! Even now, it bothers me. As someone who volunteers and gives to charity, this is ludicrous!

So, why has the House of the Snake gotten such a bad rap? Well, it was written into the books. The main antagonists in the books (Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape and Lord Voldemort) are all Slytherins. Almost all of Lord Voldemort's followers, the Death Eaters, are (or are implied to be) Slytherin as well. As described in the books, Slytherins tend to be evil more often than not. With even the founder, Salazar Slytherin, being portrayed as a vile person, it's hard to argue.

However, this is used as a literary device, meant to illustrate Good vs. Evil, with Gryffindor being the good guys. So of course little is mentioned about the good Slytherins, but the best, and perhaps only example of this is Severus Snape. While his portrayal varies from a bitter man to a true villain, we find in Deathly Hollows that he was a verifiable hero. While his psychology is something to be studied elsewhere, in the end, even Author J.K. Rowling and the main character Harry Potter considered him a hero.

So why are they still considered evil?

Because it's easy to choose a group and label them evil. Not to mention that many of the fans of the series choose to identify with the Slytherin house for that very reason instead of even thinking about any other house: They want to be the 'evil' or the 'outcast' character. Evidenced in many of the sorting hat tests, those who choose Slytherin often do so because they want to be different. I know more than a few people who are like this. Lacking any ambition, cunning or resourcefulness, they label themselves as Slytherin, just like the high school kids who listen to Marylin Manson because they are tortured and misunderstood and like the 'evil' and 'dark' label attributed to them.

So what Slytherin traits can make someone a 'good person', as opposed to a 'bad person'?

• Ambition: While many people read ambition and think greed, this is not always the case. Ambition is the desire to achieve something. Now a days the end goal is often thought of as money or power, honor and justice are admirable ambitions. Anyone with a great desire or purpose for a specific cause have ambition. Even your dream job is an ambition.
• Clever: Skillful and witty, someone who is clever can easily find a solution to a problem, through common sense rather than academic study. Inventive and original, a clever person is usually creative, and can be artistic. Artists tend to be sensitive and caring, and cleverness is highly sought for by many employers.
• Cunning: Separated from clever because of it's sly and often deceiving nature. Perhaps the only trait that is more commonly 'evil' than 'good', being a good liar means you tend to be cunning. Though not the most loved, diplomats and lawyers tend to be cunning, and it's a trait that can be used for good, though it is usually when against a villain.
• Resourcefulness: Much like Clever and Cunning, being able to make do with what you have is not only useful, but admirable. Many people are proud of this ability, and whole shows now a days are dedicated to showing those who are resourceful.
• Determination: Stubborn, and dedicated, anyone who is determined is a force to be reckoned with if you are on the other end. While it can be applied to nefarious affairs, it can also be applied to many honorable endeavors. Protesters and activists have such a fierce determination that sometimes they are willing to be attacked just to get their point across.
• Self-Preservation: Like Cunning, it can be found in 'evil' persons quite commonly, it is a natural human trait. Self-Preservation mixed with determination is what makes people survive impossible odds. It can give people the adrenaline to be a hero, and paired with common sense, can keep them out of trouble.

These traits are what make me proud to be Slytherin, and though these traits can be used for evil, they are also traits that can be used for good. So next time you meet a Slytherin, you don't have to immediately assume they're evil, as many of them may be just as willing to help you.

My favorite non-canon Slytherin? Batman. Just think about it for a moment and you'll know I'm right.