Harry Potter was a big part of my upbringing. The movies started coming out when I was 10 or so, so my brother and I got to watch them in a weird way where as we grew up so did the characters in the movies. Before that my mom would read the books to us. It was kind of a big family thing and still is, alongside the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movies.
I know I dreamed of getting a mysterious letter when I was 11, of learning magic and finding out the world was so much more wondrous than anything I could possibly imagine. Of seeing dragons and basilisks and angry trees and being part of the world that JKR put to paper (Whether she was original or not, whether she did a good job or not).
So for me, finding out that in no uncertain terms that I was not welcome in that world on account of my transness was devastating. But I was raised to respect myself and I knew that when someone shows you disrespect you disconnect and find someone who will treat you like a person. It was hard and hurt but I did it. I pulled myself away from something I loved dearly that clearly didn't love me back. Meanwhile my family has steadfastly continued to pretend that Rowling has not chosen to define herself as my enemy so the Harry Potter movie marathons and Harry Potter themed parties - for the nieces and nephews of course, of course, not to exclude you IgnoreSandra - and book readings and shit has continued.
Rowling is not solely responsible for the state of my family. My place with them has always been questionable because frankly my needs have never been a priority. But what Rowling has chosen to make of herself and her work has accelerated a process that ends with my family torn asunder, a process that could maybe have been reversed without her. With me thrown aside as "the daughter who's too sensitive and too wrapped up in social media to be rational" and I just. This topic hurts.
I don't like these books anymore. I re-read them as an adult and I don't like what Rowling thinks is funny and I think her books are mean-spirited in general. I think the most egregious thing for me is how Rowling treats the use of love potions. How it's a silly ha-ha gag or whatever when it's in reality one of the most horrifying things she's ever written not on twitter.
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I know I dreamed of getting a mysterious letter when I was 11, of learning magic and finding out the world was so much more wondrous than anything I could possibly imagine. Of seeing dragons and basilisks and angry trees and being part of the world that JKR put to paper (Whether she was original or not, whether she did a good job or not).
So for me, finding out that in no uncertain terms that I was not welcome in that world on account of my transness was devastating. But I was raised to respect myself and I knew that when someone shows you disrespect you disconnect and find someone who will treat you like a person. It was hard and hurt but I did it. I pulled myself away from something I loved dearly that clearly didn't love me back. Meanwhile my family has steadfastly continued to pretend that Rowling has not chosen to define herself as my enemy so the Harry Potter movie marathons and Harry Potter themed parties - for the nieces and nephews of course, of course, not to exclude you IgnoreSandra - and book readings and shit has continued.
Rowling is not solely responsible for the state of my family. My place with them has always been questionable because frankly my needs have never been a priority. But what Rowling has chosen to make of herself and her work has accelerated a process that ends with my family torn asunder, a process that could maybe have been reversed without her. With me thrown aside as "the daughter who's too sensitive and too wrapped up in social media to be rational" and I just. This topic hurts.
I don't like these books anymore. I re-read them as an adult and I don't like what Rowling thinks is funny and I think her books are mean-spirited in general. I think the most egregious thing for me is how Rowling treats the use of love potions. How it's a silly ha-ha gag or whatever when it's in reality one of the most horrifying things she's ever written not on twitter.