Has Your Opinion on J.K. Rowling Changed?
Rowling used to be my second favorite author (The Master of Horror will always hold the #1 spot), but that's changed. I made a topic on Goodreads asking the members of a group if their oponion on J.K. Rowling has changed since she decided to regularly regale the public with her "deep" political insights, such as "Trump is evil...just like Voldemort!" or "We need to defeat Trump, just like Harry defeated Voldemort!" And it went about as well as Charles Murray's speech at Middlebury College.
I brought up the fact that she went mysteriously silent after she claimed to care about refugees and people challenged her to prove it by putting them up in her huge, empty mansion (while they also offered to personally buy the plane tickets). I also brought up that, as you probably already knew, when the public didn't let the issue go, she took to calling Felix (Pewdiepie) a nazi-symphathizer over his Fiverr scanel, even though he'd already apologized and shown genuine remorse.
The members there actually defended her actions, claiming her silence didn't prove anything, even though I begged to differ and gave many reasons why I felt that way (and also linked some videos by some well known Youtube political commentators, including Bearing, The Amazing Atheist, and Philip DeFranco). I got more and more acquastions thrown at me, and realizing that we were just going in circles, I left the argument—though not before reminding everyone that Rowling, much like the president she loves to hate, cannot expect to tweet whatever she wants without repurcussions.
There are other issues with her I could bring up (such as her Twitter feuds), though these are the ones that personally got to me. So if you were a fan of the author (like I was) has any of this (or anything else she's said or done) changed your opinion of her?
I'm still a fan of the books, by the way. I'll never part with them, and not just because I bought them all in hardback and paid retail.
I brought up the fact that she went mysteriously silent after she claimed to care about refugees and people challenged her to prove it by putting them up in her huge, empty mansion (while they also offered to personally buy the plane tickets). I also brought up that, as you probably already knew, when the public didn't let the issue go, she took to calling Felix (Pewdiepie) a nazi-symphathizer over his Fiverr scanel, even though he'd already apologized and shown genuine remorse.
The members there actually defended her actions, claiming her silence didn't prove anything, even though I begged to differ and gave many reasons why I felt that way (and also linked some videos by some well known Youtube political commentators, including Bearing, The Amazing Atheist, and Philip DeFranco). I got more and more acquastions thrown at me, and realizing that we were just going in circles, I left the argument—though not before reminding everyone that Rowling, much like the president she loves to hate, cannot expect to tweet whatever she wants without repurcussions.
There are other issues with her I could bring up (such as her Twitter feuds), though these are the ones that personally got to me. So if you were a fan of the author (like I was) has any of this (or anything else she's said or done) changed your opinion of her?
I'm still a fan of the books, by the way. I'll never part with them, and not just because I bought them all in hardback and paid retail.
Comments
Plus I'm sure the Master of Horror is no Trump fan either...
Rowling is a bajillionaire regardless of my opinion
I'll second Brock's sentiment about separating the person (their opinions/actions) from the role they are famous for. I still enjoy reading Edgar Allan Poe even though he was a drunken child-fucker. I think Clint Eastwood is a racist mouthpiece for the right but his movies are still classics in my opinion. I still enjoy Woody Allen movies and think Bill Cosby's stand-up is still funny but they are terrible people that I in no way respect beyond their artistic achievements.
Once actors/etc. can't keep it professional and start using their fame as a political platform, and act like their opinion is more important than ours, it makes me uncomfortable and unwilling to support them anymore.
So yes, I've been boycotting JK Rowling for quite some time now.
This is coming from someone who used to love the story of how she went from barely able to pay for her flat to author superstardom in the blink of an eye.
I think the elitists got to her and now have her echoing The Narrative like a good little robot. Emma Watson followed in her footsteps, and the HP franchise has been a sinking ship of nonsense ever since. It was a good ride while it lasted.
Yeah, some people it's harder to separate their political views than others. For me the worst is Bruce Springsteen. He makes me want to puke.
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It's a shame when famous people decide to start virtue signaling from their ivory towers, telling the peasants how to think ... even though they are so separated from reality, they can't possibly relate to us anymore.
Once actors/etc. can't keep it professional and start using their fame as a political platform, and act like their opinion is more important than ours, it makes me uncomfortable and unwilling to support them anymore.
So yes, I've been boycotting JK Rowling for quite some time now.
This is coming from someone who used to love the story of how she went from barely able to pay for her flat to author superstardom in the blink of an eye.
I think the elitists got to her and now have her echoing The Narrative like a good little robot. Emma Watson followed in her footsteps, and the HP franchise has been a sinking ship of nonsense ever since. It was a good ride while it lasted.
Why do i feel like if she was a Trump supporter, you would have the complete opposite opinion? Maybe i am wrong here, but i just get that vibe.
Celebrities are people and deserve to have opinions just like everyone else. If people are dumb enough to let a celebrity cloud their opinions or judgement based on the fact they are celeberities and that alone, that is their fault. Not the celebrities.
My opinion on her hasn't changed since I never had one in the first place and haven't read or really watched the Harry Potters...however, I can sympathize with that sickening feeling of disappointment when someone you admire does something you don't like. The real question for me, OP, is does this influence how much you enjoy her work? I know you said you still like the books, but do you like them less?
I put it to the test. I got my favorite book (Order of the Phoenix) and read several passages from various parts. Thankfully, I sill enjoyed it as much as when I first read it as a teenager. I don't know if this will apply to every single book, but at least I know I can enjoy them. And besides that, I own piles of books from my childhood that don't hold up as well as I remeber them; I actually dedicated a shelf on Goodreads to such books.
And to whomever said that King hates Trump: I already knew that. He actually bragged—to Rowling, no less—that Trump had blocked him on Twitter. I don't even like Trump myself, though I can't stand anyone who gives horribly unininformed oponions (or compares a real person to a fictional character and acts like she's made a profound statement; and yes, I also know that King has done that himself).
And to all those who said her political beliefs shouldn't matter. Well, Rowling sure wants her political beliefs to be known. It's not like she's at the pub, discussing her beliefs with some friends while they down a couple of pints; she's going on one of the biggest social media sites in the world and regularly letting all who read her tweets (or retweets of her tweets) know what she thinks.
It's a shame when famous people decide to start virtue signaling from their ivory towers, telling the peasants how to think ... even though they are so separated from reality, they can't possibly relate to us anymore.
Once actors/etc. can't keep it professional and start using their fame as a political platform, and act like their opinion is more important than ours, it makes me uncomfortable and unwilling to support them anymore.
So yes, I've been boycotting JK Rowling for quite some time now.
This is coming from someone who used to love the story of how she went from barely able to pay for her flat to author superstardom in the blink of an eye.
I think the elitists got to her and now have her echoing The Narrative like a good little robot. Emma Watson followed in her footsteps, and the HP franchise has been a sinking ship of nonsense ever since. It was a good ride while it lasted.
Why do i feel like if she was a Trump supporter, you would have the complete opposite opinion? Maybe i am wrong here, but i just get that vibe.
Celebrities are people and deserve to have opinions just like everyone else. If people are dumb enough to let a celebrity cloud their opinions or judgement based on the fact they are celeberities and that alone, that is their fault. Not the celebrities.
No, I have been astounded by the hypocracy of the things she says many times. I also would never ever in a million years call you dumb for choosing to support or not support someone. Nor would I try to read in extra meaning that was not said and try to use it to make you look bad. While you are overall a good person with your heart in the right place, that is the difference between your stance on life and mine. I would appreciate a little more understanding and open-mindedness than you are displaying here. Thank you.
Besides, I didn't magically start liking Kanye West when he came out as Pro-Trump. I also still really like the core Harry Potter books.
And to all those who said her political beliefs shouldn't matter. Well, Rowling sure wants her political beliefs to be known. It's not like she's at the pub, discussing her beliefs with some friends while they down a couple of pints; she's going on one of the biggest social media sites in the world and regularly letting all who read her tweets (or retweets of her tweets) know what she thinks.
I fail to see the issue here? So because she is a celebrity she isn't allowed to use social media like eveyrone else? Seems a little silly. They are her views, and she shared them via social media like everyone else in the world does when it comes political issues. That is all my FB feed has been this year, political views from every angle, from just about every person on my friends list.
I guess i just fail to see why she shouldn't be allowed?
It's a shame when famous people decide to start virtue signaling from their ivory towers, telling the peasants how to think ... even though they are so separated from reality, they can't possibly relate to us anymore.
Once actors/etc. can't keep it professional and start using their fame as a political platform, and act like their opinion is more important than ours, it makes me uncomfortable and unwilling to support them anymore.
Does anyone else notice how these two paragraphs can easily be applied to Trump himself?
No, I have been astounded by the hypocracy of the things she says many times. I also would never ever in a million years call you dumb for choosing to support or not support someone. Nor would I try to read in extra meaning that was not said and try to use it to make you look bad. While you are overall a good person with your heart in the right place, that is the difference between your stance on life and mine. I would appreciate a little more understanding and open-mindedness than you are displaying here. Thank you.
I didn't call you dumb, you are totally misreading what i said. I am saying in general, if people are dumb enough to let celebrities brainwash them rather than form their own opinions, Simply because they are starstruck, than that is THEIR fault. I don't know how you misconstrued that as me calling YOU dumb?
I also am not trying to make you look bad, but your opinions on here seem hyprocritical at times from threads in the past and even this one. Like supporting a celebrity who is doing exactly what you are condemning here. He uses twitter more than all of us to preach his beliefs, and the dude literally has gold faucets and seatbelts in his jet. Hardly on the same level as the common man. I should be allowed to feel that way and call you out on it without you getting so defensive and instead maybe counter argue your stance. I didn't throw any insults your way like you seem to have took it. I just said i feel like if she were Pro trump, you wouldn't have an issue with her speaking her views. If you can honestly say no, then i take your word. And i even said outright, maybe i am wrong.
My point still stands. Feel about her however you want. A celebrity should be allowed to have her views. Just like you are allowed to disagree with her and boycott her, which i never said you were NOT entitled to. Just that your reasoning and past opinions seemed hypocritical. It is the people saying she shouldn't be allowed or should just keep her mouth shut are the people i have an issue with.
Not sure where you are misconstruing what i said above. And understanding and open mindedness goes both ways before you start telling me what "my stance on life is" in a condescending manner.
And to all those who said her political beliefs shouldn't matter. Well, Rowling sure wants her political beliefs to be known.
And Trump wants his political beliefs known, to the point where he spends so much time on Twitter that his own people are telling him to knock it off.
There are plenty of conservative celebrities who are vocal (and Trump is one of that number; becoming president didn't change squat.) I don't see the issue, unless you're letting your political beliefs decide who you think should be able to project their opinion to the masses.
It's a shame when famous people decide to start virtue signaling from their ivory towers, telling the peasants how to think ... even though they are so separated from reality, they can't possibly relate to us anymore.
Once actors/etc. can't keep it professional and start using their fame as a political platform, and act like their opinion is more important than ours, it makes me uncomfortable and unwilling to support them anymore.
Does anyone else notice how these two paragraphs can easily be applied to Trump himself?
Don't get me started
Let me set the record straight:
I didn't like Trump before the election (I regularly laughed at him in Mad Magazine).
I didn't like Trump during the election (I regularly laughed at him in Mad Magazine).
I don't like Trump now that he's president (I will continue to regularly laugh at him in Mad Magazine).
My problem is she's shown that she has no real knowledge of the issues and acts like comparing the president to her fictional characters is a valid argument.
Hope you have the same problem with Alex Jones.
Why do people automatically assume that anyone who says anything negative about someone who's against Trump must be a Trump supporter theirself?
Did anyone even say that?
Why do people automatically assume that anyone who says anything negative about someone who's against Trump must be a Trump supporter theirself?
Did anyone even say that?
Tulpa sure seems to think so.
Why do people automatically assume that anyone who says anything negative about someone who's against Trump must be a Trump supporter theirself?
Did anyone even say that?
Tulpa sure seems to think so.
Uh, no, you stated you have a problem with a celebrity who spouts off their opinion. I picked a "conservative" celebrity that also regularly spouts off. Far more than Rowling ever did (when he should be running the country.)
I could pick any number. Hannity, Scott Baio, Ted Nugent, Charlie Daniels. I still get down to "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," but I don't give a rat's ass what he or Rowling want to say.
Also - she is at least engaged - in political discourse, in philanthropy, etc. She could sit back with her hundreds of millions of dollars and buy an island and live a fantasy life somewhere. But she is actually doing something with her success. Speaking her mind, participating in charitable causes, philanthropic endeavors, etc. People don't have to listen if they don't want to.
I feel very passionately about several issues - social, political, etc. If I were to somehow become famous and have a huge following, I probably would use that platform to share my opinion as it would reach more people. It doesn't mean I think I'm better than everyone or that my opinion means more. I don't expect everyone to always agree with me.
I guess I just don't understand what the problem really is here. And I don't understand the viewpoint that a celebrity or athlete can't have a political opinion or viewpoint - or that it is somehow worth less because they don't have political experience. A lot of us don't have 'political experience' but it doesn't mean our perspectives are any less valid. The beauty of this whole thing, is that if someone doesn't agree with her, that is absolutely fine and they can even choose to boycott her or not like her work anymore -
completely their prerogative. I won't choose to do that here and I have no problem with her.
Yeah, some people it's harder to separate their political views than others. For me the worst is Bruce Springsteen. He makes me want to puke.
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