CLH Words

               I really do not want to be writing this. If it were up to me, we would all forget about Harry Potter and its nazi author would be relegated to the obscurity of mid-level pub trivia questions. Unfortunately, it seems like some of y’all haven’t gotten the message.

               People have explained why Harry Potter and its author, JK Rowling, are….”problematic” for a lack of a better term. To summarize, JKR is a literal nazi (she has been photographed with Nazis and called them friends) and is leading the anti-trans movement in the UK. I am also sick of hearing about separating the work from its author, as even putting aside JKR’s baggage, the books as a whole are racist and antisemitic, among many other critiques. I am so tired of these debates. This is not a piece laying out why you shouldn’t read/support/whatever Harry Potter/JKR. There have been many of those. This is in response to the people who have seen all of those, and despite it all decide to say, “na, I’m still going to engage with Harry Potter lol #soHufflepuffofme.”

               To be clear, this is not to the people who read the books/watch the movies, using copies they got growing up, or buying used copies, and who keep their goddamn mouths shut about Harry Potter in public spaces. Y’all are okay; while I would recommend finding better media (both in craft, themes and author), you understand that your attention has consequences, and that your media can harm a community and choose to keep it to yourself. What I am talking about is the (usually white) millennial liberals who won’t shut up about Harry Potter. Who know that it’s “problematic” but choose to talk about it in public none the less. Who know how triggering it is to many people and see the harm done to trans people (along with so many other communities) and decide that their special little cinnamon roll of a wizard is worth more than the safety of actual people. This is to the people who choose a media franchise over the lives of countless people they claim to care for.

               What the fuck man? Like seriously? Like come on. I expect better from you. Trans people have told you that this is triggering to many of us, that your attention to this franchise, to JKR is making our lives a living hell, that you should find a different series (seriously check out Discworld by Terry Pratchett—so much better) and instead you say “na, fuck you” to us? Like come on. That’s some privileged bullshit right there.

               You do not get to pick how you are an ally. When a community you claim to care about says something is hurting them, you don’t get to just say “oh that sucks, but I kinda like it so…” That is the definition of privilege. That is you saying “oh sure, I will support you up until it affects me in the slightest.” It’s not allyship; it’s performance. An aesthetic. And maybe that’s all you really want—to pretend to be a good person and know that you care to some extent, unlike others. But if you really, truly, with all your heart and soul want to help, to change the world, to support communities, to be a true ally? You have to listen. You have to put your own skin in the game. White supremacy tells you that you can simply step back and protect yourself, retreat to your comfort, but it counts on that so that you look away while it comes for the rest of us. True allies don’t look away. When a community says it needs something from you, you listen, even if it hurts, even if it makes you uncomfortable, even if it means giving up something you enjoy.

So please, stop talking about Harry Potter. Stop giving JKR space and thought. Stop triggering the trans people who hear you. Please do not make me write any more about this topic. You have to either give up Harry Potter or calling yourself a trans ally. The choice is yours, and I really hope you make the right decision.