Not that anyone asked but whatever....
Is JKR problematic? Absolutely.
Can problematic media be consumed responsibly and with neutrality? Absolutely.
Consuming and even enjoying problematic media can help people develop informed opinions and even help people develop a moral compass. Especially, when this source material is a generation-spanning thing that has been a part of pop culture for decades.
Recognizing problematic themes within media doesn't always make that media problematic itself. For Example, in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, readers are exposed to problematic views that existed at the time of its publishing. Do we protest this media and demand that it be removed from circulation? Do we condemn anyone who consumes it? No, we instead use it as a tool to teach others about the existence of problematic media. About the existence of social issues. How to recognize and how to respond to these things.
Do I, personally in my view of things believe that Hogwarts Legacy's purpose is to be transphobic and antisemitic?
No. Absolutely not. In the face of JKR's views, the developers have made strides to try and combat against this. Did they resolve the issue entirely? No. But they tried. And that effort should be recognized.
Do I believe one can see these issues or relate these issues back to this piece of media?
Yes, but that can be done with ALL forms of media. Nothing is truly unproblematic. Social issues and social activism are fluid.
Is 'cancelling' a piece of media because it can be found problematic the correct approach?
Absolutely not. It will have the same effect as banning media always does, it'll will just make people want to consume it more.
When addressing problematic media, especially in this instance of Hogwarts Legacy, a lot of definitive statements are being made. The biggest being;
"If you buy this game you are transphobic and antisemitic."
The problem with definitive statements like these is that it excludes some of the members of these communities that you claim to defend. On top of that, it encourages others to engage in harassment.
Many people have said "If you buy this game you are no alley and you should just unfollow and block me." But what the posters of these statements fail to realize is that there are many people within the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities (not allies but true members of the community) that do not share this same point of view.
Suddenly we see trans and Jewish peoples scared to enjoy a piece of media that means something to them personally for fear of being attacked and demonized by their own so-called allies.
No member of any community should have to prove themselves to be valid to an alley.
Allies who yell and scream overtop of the voices of the people within the community are not allies.
Allies who invalidate members of a community due to conflicting opinions are not allies.
Allies who claim to be allies but do not show up, be present, or engage when it truly matters are not allies.
True allies are there to support and lift up the community, not silence them or push them aside when differing opinions are presented.
Your unyielding aggression and verbal/written attacks on others is not helping the communities you claim to defend. It instead paints the already affected peoples in poor light and gives even more ammunition to those wishing to oppress/harm them.
People who do not already have well formed or educated opinions on these matters only see the explosive discourse, and this can sway them into the direction of those what wish to oppress/harm these communities.
This is something more specifically related to the Hogwarts Legacy that I haven't seen many people discussing.
On the specific subject of antisemitism. Yes, goblins (the mythical creatures) have been used as a way to stereotype and hurt those of the Jewish community. However, you also have to consider that the concept of goblins did not originate for this purpose and these are real aspects of someone's real culture. Just as the Swastika was once, and still is, a religious symbol of divinity and spirituality in Indian religion until it was appropriated by the Nazi party. So has the image of goblins and other mythical creatures been appropriated to represent the Jewish communities.
This takes me back to a previous Hot Take, I don't believe this game or this media is meant to perpetrate this stereotype. And many of the Jewish community are of the same opinion as well. But also there are some of a different opinion, this all goes back to how we consume and enjoy media.
Instead of becoming aggressive, instead of immediately condemning someone because they choose to consume this piece of media we should instead be using this as a segway into the discussion of how these things have been used to harm communities in the past and how we can stop perpetrating these stereotypes in the future.
Before this explosive discourse, there were many who truly never even knew these stereotypes of the Jewish peoples existed. But instead of becoming informed they were immediately condemned, and that is what is can become dangerous.
Now, my final words on the matter.
I've said my peace, and I know it won't change opinions. I don't expect it to. I know it won't magically fix the issues at hand. I don't expect it to. I know my opinions are mine and mine alone and that both members of the communities and allies will not agree with me. I don't expect them to.
Instead, I decided, as an alley, to post this for those within the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities whose voices have been drowned out on the matter.
I've posted this for a transgender friend that has lost friends and support within his own community because he wants to enjoy something that has saved his life more than once and has been there through the good and the bad for him.
I've posted this for my Jewish friends and family members who were happy and excited for this game, but now instead they are facing backlash and are shocked and hurt at being compared to mythical creatures.
And I've posted this for everyone else who is scared to speak out and up for fear of retribution. Whether it's the religious extremists or the social activists leading it, a witch hunt is still a witch hunt.
jbbartram-illu
origamiaround
