Ballot Application: MAYA CHON

[down-in-flames]

GENERAL INFORMATION

Candidate Name: Maya Chon

Slogan: Chon for Change

Poster:

Bio: 

Maya Chon was born in Birmingham, the eldest daughter in a working-class Korean family.  Her parents arrived in the UK over fifty years ago, and from an early age, they instilled Maya with the belief that hard work and a desire to improve would serve her well.  These are values that she holds to this day, and wants to see translated onto the national stage.

In many ways, Maya grew up with a foot in different worlds: both as a first-generation immigrant and as the daughter of a wizard and a Muggle.  With her younger brother and sister, Maya attended a Muggle primary school before she went onto Hogwarts, where she was sorted into Hufflepuff and found herself excelling at the subjects which called for an affinity with nature and the outdoors.  Potions and Care of Magical Creatures were among her favourite lessons, and her love of Herbology began far earlier than the age of eleven, when she visited her father where he worked, first as a groundkeeper in the Modesty Rabnott Snidget Reservation, and later cultivating magical plants for use in medicinal potions. 

Following her years at Hogwarts, Maya secured a position at the Ministry of Magic, working in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.  She was enthusiastic about making a positive impact in the role, but the political climate in the late 1990s rendered that almost impossible, and she made the difficult decision to leave the Ministry and seek experience elsewhere.

Life outside the Ministry was difficult, both because of the war and because of family illness.  It was then that the idea for Maya’s charity, C.A.R.E, was born.  Having worked part-time in a Muggle hospital, Maya was amazed at the differences in the country’s two healthcare systems, and was determined that other people shouldn’t find themselves in the position her family had, struggling to afford basic medicine.  For several years, she juggled a full-time job as a legal researcher and invested all her spare time in C.A.R.E, finally leaving her job a decade ago to focus fully on her charity work, which has improved the lives of many who previously struggled to access proper healthcare.

Her return to the Ministry three years ago was motivated by the desire to make a difference from within the system.  Joining the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Maya has advocated for greater transparency, supporting plans for a more comprehensive curriculum at Hogwarts and an independent financial department within the Ministry.  She has also been instrumental in the establishment of new departments to meet the needs of the present day, including a Department of Health and Wellbeing and a Department for Environmental Change.   

Financial growth, healthcare, education and the environment: these are the cornerstones of Maya’s vision for Britain’s future.  With an approach that blends the best of the Muggle and magical worlds, Maya believes she can lead the country forward into a society which is strong, healthy, and fair for all.

[Taken from Maya Chon’s campaign literature: Chon for Change]

 

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POLICY STANCES

Policy #1: Should the age of Apparition be raised?

Apparition has long been a right of passage in the Wizarding World. Most of us fondly remember turning seventeen and rushing to our first class to learn how to teleport instantly from one place to the next. Sadly, more and more frequently these pleasant memories are being marred by severe accidental splinchings and in some cases, even death. Many of our young adults are walking around physically and mentally scarred by apparitions gone wrong. My opponents would have you believe that fixing this issue is as simple as raising the licensing age, but I feel differently. In my opinion, raising the age would be about as effective as using Episkey to heal a cursed wound. Instead of ineffective fixes, I propose that we address the uncomfortable symptoms that have contributed to this rise.  

One factor to be considered when studying the data is the roll of alcohol in these accidents. The most recent statistics released from St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries attributes roughly 42% of splinchings to excessive alcohol consumption. In comparison to the same statistics from just five years ago, we’ve seen a rise of 12.3% in alcohol related splinchings. Of the 42% of alcohol related splinchings, 19% are happening in witches and wizards  under the age of twenty five. I propose that we deal with this concerning rise by requiring all students who are going through the apparition licensing process to take a short class on the risks of drunken apparition. Additionally, I suggest that alcohol education classes and therapy with an addiction healer be a requirement for anyone found to be appariting under the influence. 

 Another factor that has affected the rate of splinching accidents is the recent integration of muggle technology like cellphones into the magical world. In order to apparate properly, one must be focused completely upon the destination, but more and more often Gen Y witches and wizards are distracted by texting, messaging, and surfing the internet. St. Mungo’s estimates that 29% of splinchings are caused by this very phenomenon. To combat this issue, I propose a new charm that would cause cell phones to automatically freeze whenever someone is preparing to apparate. The charm is easy to install and would not otherwise affect the technology, but would do a lot in protecting our community. 

Finally, the curriculum for our apparition class is wildly out of date. Originally written in 1827, the curriculum fails to address many of the modern issues facing today’s young witch and wizard. I propose that we make radical changes to our apparition program so that it includes more information on safe apparition, the long term effects of splinching, and the things that can cause accidents. Instead of avoiding difficult discussions, we meet them head on and make sure all new apparators have the information to keep them safe. 

In closing, I think that a combination of aggressive education, alcohol targeted campaigns, and stricter cell phone policies will deal with the causes of accidental splinchings much more effectively than simply raising the apparition licensing age. Giving witches and wizards the tools they need to keep themselves safe will allow them to make better decisions. Besides, if a wizard or witch is old enough to fight in a war or buy a pint, they should be old enough to apparate from one spot to another. Don’t punish our youth, empower them.
 

Policy #2: Should Divination be removed from the Hogwarts Curriculum?

Divination is an ancient branch of Magic but its inclusion in curriculum at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has always been heavily debated. Divination is a subject can be considered to be powerful and invaluable when used correctly. It is known however that the subject is unpredictable and those with ‘inner eye’ are rare. It is for these reasons that it comes into question how this subject can be taught with any merit to children with ranges of abilities in four short years. 

The validity of the examinations has also come under fire as it is questioned whether the examiners are comprehensive enough in the subject to grade the student’s assessments let alone hoping that the correct vision is going to come to a child in the allotted time of an already stressful exam period. It is near impossible to quantify in realistic terms. Therefore the proposal that is put forward is that Divination should not be taught in this current form again but the subject will form part of a new subject called ‘Specialist Branches of Magic’ which will be available for NEWT level.

This subject is designed to teach children about different advanced branches of magic which would include divination and others subjects like alchemy and wandlore.This subject will benefit from guest teachers who are specialists in their field therefore offering children real insight into the industry and connections for those who show particular aptitude in a field of study. There will be coursework element after each unit which will suit a greater range of learners opposed to Hogwarts’ traditional exam period at the end of each year. It’ll support more inclusive learning style while still suiting those academic learners too. The examination for the divination unit will focus on methods and understanding practices of Divination rather than the pure ability to see into the future.

 It would be beneficial in the longer term for students entering the workplace and producing future experts to meet demand into these fields. The proposal is practical to boast the economy the longer term by producing skilled individuals and in the short term because the teaching costs would be considering less than Divination in its current form. 

The idea has been received positively by leading professionals as well. Respected educator, Minerva McGonagall has lend her support to the concept. She states “Hogwarts must change with the times - the new proposal sounds perfect for positively encouraging children into industry” and leading alchemist, Araminta Skye, comments “The proposal will be brilliant for our industry. It’ll help increase knowledge of our discipline to keep it afloat for years to come. It’s an idea that just makes sense”. Miss Skye also notes that she would be very willing to lend her skills to teaching a unit as well as dozens of other industry leaders. 

Hogwarts would still be able to individually tailored support for any student that does show signs of being a true seer even though this scenario is unlikely. It is time to invest in our nation’s future by changing the way we educate starting with the introduction of this new initiative. 
 

Policy #3: Should catching the Golden Snitch be worth fewer points? 

I think that all of us have a soft place in our hearts for Quidditch—the wonderful sport that captures our imaginations from the time we learn to ride a broom. Whether we learn about it when we first set foot in the hallowed halls of Hogwarts or another Magic School, or we are taught to love it at our parents’ knees, Quidditch brings the Wizarding World together. I’m sure that all of us have a fond memory of watching and playing this sport, whether in our own backyards or in a professional arena. 

However, even this venerable sport can use a change once in a while, and we should not let its ancient lineage prevent us from bringing it to its full potential. I imagine that it is easy to guess which part of the sport deserves the tiniest bit of criticism: the extraordinary amount of points that the seeker receives for catching the elusive Golden Snitch. Not only does catching the Snitch end the game, but the fact that it is worth one hundred fifty points while each goal is worth a lowly ten, ensures that, almost without fail, whichever team’s seeker catches the snitch wins the game for his or her team.

Of course, we can all name rare occasions when, like the Quidditch World Cup of 1994, when catching the Snitch did not bring victory to the seekers team. This is an exception that proves the rule. While it masquerades as a team sport, as it now stands, Quidditch is an individual sport. What the Keepers, Beaters, and Chasers do is almost irrelevant. It all depends on the Seeker.

Now, I have no desire to change the sport into something recognizable. I believe that the points currently allotted to scoring goals and catching the Snitch should remain as they are. Let us think outside the box, or rather, the Quidditch pitch as it were. Let us respect tradition, while helping the sport to realize its full potential.

I propose that we introduce one extra player into the game: the Independent Seeker. The I.S. will also attempt to catch the Snitch, along with the Seeker on each opposing team. Should the I.S. be victorious, the game will end, and neither team will receive the one hundred fifty points. Instead, the game will be decided on the goals scored alone. The I.S.s will operate their own league of Seekers, not attached to any team. In a school setting, such as Hogwarts, four students, one from each House, will be selected by the Head Coach and will train with her. The I.S. will always be a neutral party. As such, in a school setting, the I.S. will not play in a game in which his or her own House is playing. 

I think it is clear how this will benefit the game. In addition to providing the opportunity for more students to play, it will make the game truly a team sport. Everyone will have to work together to score as many goals as possible because there will be a one in three chance that the match will be decided on those goals alone. On the professional level, it will also create jobs for more athletes. 

This is the sort of creative problem solving that my campaign endorses. We must respect our roots and from where we have come. But we must be willing to look to the future and to make sure we go where we want to go. Thank you.

 

DEBATE APPEARANCES

Response #1: Should the wizarding world stop using quills and begin using pens?

If I may be perfectly frank, I must agree with Leo Calistair and admit that I am surprised by this question being asked in a political debate. I don’t see how it is the business of the Ministry of Magic to be involved in the personal lives of its people in so officious a way that it would be dictating what sort of writing utensil a witch or wizard chooses to use. That level of oversight smacks of tyranny rather than democracy, and honestly reminds me of the terrible war years when everyone had to watch everything they said and did at all times for fear of retribution. Those years are behind us and I think it best to avoid anything that might possibly bring them—or their spirit—back. 

I suppose that one could take this question and read it in a more abstract way. In a global sense, it seems to be asking if the wizarding world should be willing to adopt Muggle technological advances where desired and appropriate. The answer is, of course, and it’s already happening. How many of us already use mobile phones, computers, and other such devices? How many clever and ambitious healers are already studying certain Muggle medical technologies to discover ways to enhance magical healing techniques? This is the way of the future: the ability to see a good idea as a good idea regardless if it was a Muggle or a witch who thought of it.

But, back to the pen versus quill debate. What I would really like to see is a quill with its own, self-contained ink source, the best of both worlds. Then I would be able to have the joy of using a quill—the tactile pleasure, the beauty of the script that it produces—and I would be able to avoid the nuisance of the ink bottles that I always manage to spill and misplace at the most inopportune moments. 

At the end of the day, though, I won’t be looking in anyone’s robes to see what kind of tool they use to do their writing. I promise you that.
 

Response #2: Should there be a standard number of OWLs/NEWTs required for Hogwarts graduation?

Education is a key issue. I think that Anne Arkey’s policy is interesting, but fear that, in the long run, it may cause the students to feel trapped into subjects that don’t suit them in order to fill government quotas. I felt that it would be more productive for the students to have control over their own futures. Anne Arkey’s proposals lay out plans for subjects that will be mandatory for graduation. While I think structure is always important to help shape young minds, those minds must be considered as individuals. What if students don’t excel in these pre-chosen subjects? Are they then prevented from graduating? 

 I support five owls being a standard for graduation, as it would give the students a rounded education.  I would suggest, however, that students should have more say over their future careers by being able to pick those five subjects. I think students would thrive on having that trust and freedom to explore themselves as individuals, which would provide them with life experience--that can not be taught so easily--as well. They would have any guidance and support they needed from the Hogwarts’ staff.

Arkey's policy on NEWTS has brought some new ideas to the table, which the public may find exciting, but I’m here to ask: are they viable? I am a believer in improving the quality of the teaching at Hogwarts and Anne Arkey’s plans for such a wide range of subjects would leave Hogwarts vulnerable to ‘have a go teaching’ from Hogwarts of old. We need to provide Hogwarts with field experienced teachers who can offer students genuine knowledge of their subject. I think that we must look for quality over quantity in this area. I believe that her proposal for such a wide range of NEWT subjects would be unproductive, which would lead to overspending Hogwarts’ budget and, more importantly, the quality of teaching going down for students. I think the plan to fuse muggle and magical disciplines together makes perfect sense, but the concept needs to be distilled into a clearer idea with a only a handful of new NEWTs subjects offered to students with high quality teachers to offer proper insight into their subject. 

I want the best for the students at Hogwarts. I want to offer them an education that suits them as individuals and not for them to be punished for having different strengths to those that ministry want to assign them. I want Hogwarts to be the world leader in standard of teaching as well as being passionately committed to developing the creativity and talents of your children. I want to build a bright future for everyone.
 

Response #3: Should other magical beings have representatives in the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards?

Adequate representation of all magical and non-magical beings is a complex and extremely important issue, one that has been largely ignored by the wizarding community as a whole until recently. I agree with candidate Hippolyta Truth in her support of representatives to the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards for all. Our current system is one based on centuries of xenophobia, speciesism, and colonialism layered with isolationist policies that serve to target, oppress, and pillage both magical and non-magical beings by keeping them separate and unequal. Time and time again, the cries of werewolves, giants, goblins, house elves, veela, and manticore have been ignored in favor of exploitative policies. It is time that the system changes to support everyone.

A relevant example of how equal representation would be beneficial can be seen within the werewolf community. For years, werewolves have been protesting the astronomical costs of Wolfsbane potion, but next to nothing has changed. While they have been forced through risky and excruciatingly painful transformations for lack of affordable treatment, the wizards and witches in government have profited off of corporate kickbacks made from the rising cost of the potion. Having representatives from the werewolf community would allow this issue to be explored with a sort of nuance that wizards and witches might not possess on this subject and would likely lead to more accessible treatments for lycanthropy.

With the muggle advent of computers, cell phones, etc., the world is becoming more and more interconnected. While change can be frightening to some, it is important for us to fight isolationist tendencies that would blockade us from progress. Having representatives from a diverse array of magical and non-magical species would help to eradicate the fear of those who are different from us and continue to push us to be a better, more inclusive society and generate unique, cutting edge ideas in regards to governmental policy.

Additionally, I support candidate Truth’s position on Squibs. For far too long, they have been relegated to the shadowy fringes of our society. I, of course, cannot speak on this subject with the eloquence or nuance that she can being a Squib nor do I feel it appropriate to speak over her on this particular issue. I can, however, say that if I am elected Minister, I will work hand in hand with candidate Truth and other human rights advocates to make sure that Squibs are given a public voice.

In closing, I feel that a more inclusive and representative governing body will allow for a stronger and safer magical community. Through cooperation, respect, and a willingness to listen, we can construct a system that works for everyone. I will always continue to fight for diversity not only by providing representative opportunities, but by any additional means necessary.

 

ENDORSEMENTS

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