When the magic fades

The author who spent seven books, eight movies and countless spin offs reminding us that people we thought were bad can have good moments and people we thought we good can have bad and irredeemable qualities has decided to show us this in her own character.

Spoiler alert, she seems to be the latter.

J.K. Rowling is the author of one of the most iconic franchises. Her stories became a staple in houses everywhere. For many, it was or is an escape. Countless of my friends attribute the Harry Potter series to their survival of mental illness, bullying and much more. These books entertained a crowd of people, but we should all be wary not to forget the lessons she preached include her too.

Even our heros can betray us.

Of course current events of her transphobic behavior are not the first in her list of problematic occurrences. From making one of her characters a basically closeted token LGBT+ member, to racism and antisemitism, Rowling has a history of meeting scrutiny for her outdated beliefs - that her books seem to be totally against if you don't dig deep enough into them.

Her latest Tweets however have brought this behavior to light for many. And rightfully, many are shocked. Many are hurt. Many have a thousand questions and no answers. I can't answer any of them, but I can put some important parts into perspective.

First off. No. You shouldn't be ashamed of your love for Harry Potter. You should not look away from the tattoo on your arm of the wand, or the badger surrounded in yellow on your leg in disgust. These books meant something to you. They changed your outlook, or perhaps gave you something to love when everything seemed unlovable. Harry Potter practically raised a generation. It is much bigger than its creator now. It doesn't belong to her anymore.

In her books, she states that not saying the name of a thing gives it power with fear. She's right, but not when it comes to herself. As long as you are not still supporting her personally, you can still love the franchise. You can take her name away from this series and love Harry Potter without loving her. What she started has ignited into something bigger. It is a reminder in these pressing times, that the people you trust can fail you, that the government is not the end all be all, and that you can change things in small and big ways. We still need those lessons. They are important when black lives are being taken away and transgender people can be denied healthcare. But we do not need her. We can use what she created to continue to fight for the people she herself puts down.

You are also allowed to grieve this. For a large number of people, these books taught us lessons and truths that family didn't or couldn't. They became a part of their identity and lifestyle. They gave us hope in dark times.

To realize that a series that did all this was written by some who shirks off people's identities (possibly even your own) is horrific. Like spending your life feeling accepted by someone, only to realize that isn't the case. You have every right to be angry. Just remember that you can and possibly have found more people, both in real life and through various art forms that love you and will fight for you.

She who will no longer be named should know who her audience is. She practically created this. So I'll leave you with one question:

Do you think she's realized she's become less liked than Umbridge?