Mini Curiosity: Allyship and Harry Potter

Current Curiosities

[Reading] Strangers by Belle Burden*

[Listening] Mariah Carey's #1s

[Watching] Last One Laughing UK**

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Hello-hello I know it's been a minute since I've posted on Rough-Draft Thinking, but with the ICE-CBP violence in Minnesota, I wanted to take a break to focus on my community and those directly impacted by Trump's monstrous policies. 


Can Potterheads Ever Truly Be Allies? With a new series coming to HBOMax this winter and the recent documentary on the making of said series, I feel as though it's time to talk about allyship and JK Rowling. And yes, I know this topic has been covered ad nauseam by queer and trans cultural critics, engaged readers and viewers, and even a few allies. But I know too many otherwise thoughtful allies who engage in Harry Potter capitalism to remain silent.

To begin, I have to emphatically say, you cannot participate in Harry Potter ​in any form (books, movies, television, LEGO, etc.) without being an accomplice to prolific anti-trans bigot JK Rowling. By participating in anything Harry Potter, you are culpable of funding anti-trans hate speech and legislation.  

I understand some folks don’t (willfully or not) think about the impact of their consumption or refuse to recognize they are part of the (TERF-Evangelical-MAGA) anti-trans industrial complex and want to protect their favorite young adult series. But under capitalism, how and where you spend money has real-world impacts on marginalized communities. 

And when I’ve broached this subject with friends and colleagues about how their consumption of Harry Potter undermines their allyship, it seems to touch a nerve. 

So if you’re feeling attacked, please take a moment to explore why you are feeling this way. And please keep any separating the artist from the art takes to yourself. Those arguments are nonsense when JK Rowling actively uses her massive Harry Potter fortune to target, harass, and dehumanize trans folks.

Obviously, I'm taking a hella black-and-white approach to this topic. I recognize I'm ignoring the nuances of queer and trans fans of JK Rowling's work. And I do not acknowledge the complexities of our individual choices in how we navigate capitalism. 

Anti-trans bigots like JK Rowling really grind my gears, and so too do allies who engage in that ÜberKaren's fictional world.

Thank you very much for your time. If you have recommendations or curiosities, please fill out this nifty contact form.

Sending y’all supportive, well-caffeinated vibes,

Creighton 

Today’s Pen(cil): Sharpie Fine-Point [Permanent Marker]

* It's well-written, but perhaps this memoir should've stayed a Modern Love piece. 

** I've never laughed so hard watching comedians trying not to laugh. Both series are truly excellent.