Burn libraries and pets
. According to JK Rowling, this is what former Potter fans who really want to distance themselves from her and her work should do. This deliberately exaggerated statement by the Harry Potter inventor comes from a recent tweet in which she comments on the call for a boycott of the role-playing game Hogwarts Legacy planned for 2023.
The statement follows a long history of controversy surrounding the 57-year-old, after Rowling repeatedly hit the headlines for anti-trans statements was. And this time, too, there is criticism from many quarters.
What exactly happened
The starting point for Rowling’s sharp words are some tweets by trans* YouTuber and journalist Jessie Earl, in which she again points out that any support for current Harry Potter productions harms trans* people. So she writes in a tweet:
I will not begrudge anyone their love for the past or for things they already have that bring them joy. I own the first 9 films and all 7 books myself. But any support for things like Hogwarts Legacy is pernicious.
– Jessie Earl
Rowling used this tweet as an opportunity to speak up and to post the YouTuber. The following tweet was then written.
link to Twitter content
Rowling writes in Europe:
I am deeply disappointed that Jessie Earl does not realize that the way she thinks is incompatible with owning ANYTHING connected to me in ANY form. The truly righteous would not only burn their books and films, but the local library, anything with an owl on it and their own pet dogs
.
– J.K. Rowling
Those were the reactions
As expected, there were heated discussions in the comments below this and many other tweets. People who still support JK Rowling spoke up, as well as many former fans, trans* people or activists who again strongly criticized Rowling.
Rowling was accused, among other things, of having completely misinterpreted the content of what Jessie Earl said with her tweet. So Earl didn’t talk about burning anything at all. On the contrary, anyone who already owns books or films should enjoy them. Earl just points out that new Harry Potter products like Hogwarts Legacy continue to add money to the author, who continues to use her influence and wealth to harm the trans community.
To what extent the author benefits from the income from the role-playing game is not known in detail. Due to the trademark rights, however, it is considered certain that it will also be financially involved without being directly involved.
Rowling has also been accused of targeting Jessie Earl after a spate of hate mail erupted shortly after her tweet.
link to Twitter content
Our attitude
The extent to which boycotting Hogwarts Legacy is right or necessary is still hotly debated. We at GameStar have decided to continue to accompany the role-playing game with our reporting, as you are used to from us.
So you will find content that meets our journalistic standards and includes both unbiased previews and tests, as well as personal columns that reflect the opinions of individual editors.
At the same time, we do not want to hide the debate and the attitude of the Harry Potter author and regularly point this out in our reporting to give you the opportunity to form your own opinion. In our neutral report on trans* people, JK Rowling and Harry Potter you can read up on the topic, for example:
more on the subject
Hogwarts Legacy: What trans people keep out of the game
No comment function?
Due to the high level of moderation that was to be expected, we decided to move the discussion to the forum. You can comment there as usual.
