It’s time to be the bad guy
The boy must die so the man may rise.
"Would you like me to do [kill you] now? Or would you like a few moments to compose an epitaph?" - Severus Snape
Fear permeates our world, and I'm not referring to Halloween. This fear doesn't fade with the falling leaves or end when the scary movie concludes. It isn't driven by media sensationalism or political agendas despite the 2024 election looming ahead. This fear grips our culture and society, often concealed behind polite euphemisms and toxic empathy. It is an epidemic that gradually undermines relationships, friendships, work, love, and family around the globe every day.
An unwarranted fear of being perceived as a "bad guy" holds everyone hostage, and it's time to embrace the idea of being the bad guy.
Fearing the Wrong Thing
What is apparent is not always accurate, and what is evident is not always reliable. This truth applies to nice, good, and bad guys. When you look at Severus Snape, the old adage about not judging a book by its cover rings particularly true. He is a man dressed in all black, who is mean to almost all the students except his favorites, plays with dark magic, and even associates with the Dark Lord. Yet, we understand that he served a greater purpose, with a sense of duty and honor surpassing what most of us could hope to achieve.
"All that glitters is not gold" - William Shakespeare
The opening quote references a famous twist in the Harry Potter series, where it's revealed that Snape, a character initially perceived as a villain, is actually a double agent working for the good side. In a pivotal moment, Dumbledore asks Snape to kill him, an act Snape is deeply reluctant to carry out. He plays a crucial role in Dumbledore's plan, filling a necessary gap in the strategy to defeat Voldemort. Despite his troubled past and desire for redemption, Snape embraces his role, even as it means taking on the appearance of a bad guy. Dumbledore deliberately wants Snape to maintain this façade, believing that Harry needs to learn essential lessons from Snape's "bad guy" behavior.
Ultimately, Snape emerges as the greatest hero in the Harry Potter saga, making immense sacrifices for those who despise him, driven by a love he could never fully possess. He pays the ultimate price for his loyalty and courage. In recognition of Snape's sacrifices, Harry names his son after him, honoring the character's commitment to being the "bad guy" for the greater good of Harry and the world. Throughout the series, Harry learns invaluable lessons about manhood and leadership from Snape, lessons he struggles to appreciate in the moment due to his focus on Snape's harsh demeanor. However, beneath that exterior, Snape genuinely cares for Harry and prepares him for his journey. Snape's love for Harry is profound and selfless; he prioritizes Harry's best interests above his own and ultimately gives his life without expecting anything in return.
"They were great men, with huge flaws, and you know what—those flaws almost made them greater." - Severus Snape
Fearing Snape was misplaced; he was not the true villain. J.K. Rowling used the character of Snape to teach readers the importance of doing the right thing, even in the face of significant criticism and judgment. He acted as a "bad guy" to be the good guy. This example is not limited to fantasy but can also be seen in history, where many great leaders displayed courage at significant financial and social costs.
We often have a biased perspective when we consider extraordinary and fearless historical leaders, believing that their journeys were much easier than we can comprehend; however, all acts of courage come with a price. They require taking a stand against the norm, often leading to accusations of being the "bad guy"” Suppose an act does not necessitate sacrificing social standing or capital. In that case, it is, by definition, not a decision requiring much courage or bravery. In contrast, appeasement, definitionally although more popular and seemingly kinder, often allows the continuation of great evils.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” - John Stuart Mill
Consider historic duos where the narrative has changed: Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain, Ronald Reagan and Communism, and Severus Snape and the Malfoys. Today, we view some leaders as heroic, but during their time, they faced intense criticism and were often labeled as the "bad guys." This phenomenon is known as chronological snobbery. These courageous leaders experienced significant ostracization before ultimately being vindicated and redeemed. As time passes, we recognize them as heroes who stood firm against naive appeasement and the emotional manipulation of toxic empathy.
Being the bad guy of today often points to being a good guy for tomorrow.
Bad is Nice
Today, we live in the most comfortable and safe period in recorded human history. Most of our fears are internalized and stem from personal issues that, in the recent past, would have been labeled absurd. For instance, try telling someone you felt unsafe because of someone's words while living on the Western Frontier in the late 1800s.