J.K. Rowling on Fearing Culture Boycotts

We love that J.K. Rowling is active on Twitter and that she is not afraid to be herself and/or stand up for what she believes in. Including politics–though I am often afraid to report on it. When Jo takes political stands she gets a lot of support, but she also angers a lot of people. As is the nature of politics.

However, there comes a point where I cannot be afraid of angering some fans (while others rejoice) for the sake of not reporting the news. As with every polarizing subject that pokes its nose into the realm of Harry Potter news, I will report this as news and as unbiasedly as possible.

Last week, as the news of Cursed Child was breaking, The Guardian released a letter that J.K. Rowling (and many others) had signed. This letter stated that “Israel needs cultural bridges, not boycotts,” and is outlined below:

We do not believe cultural boycotts are acceptable or that the letter you published accurately represents opinion in the cultural world in the UK.

“Therefore we are writing to declare our support for the launch and aims ofCulture for Coexistence – an independent UK network representing a cross-section from the cultural world.

We will be seeking to inform and encourage dialogue about Israel and the Palestinians in the wider cultural and creative community. While we may not all share the same views on the policies of the Israeli government, we all share a desire for peaceful coexistence.

Cultural boycotts singling out Israel are divisive and discriminatory, and will not further peace. Open dialogue and interaction promote greater understanding and mutual acceptance, and it is through such understanding and acceptance that movement can be made towards a resolution of the conflict.

Ultimately we all believe in a two-state solution so that the national self-determination of both peoples is realised, with the state of Israel and a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security.

Cultural engagement builds bridges, nurtures freedom and positive movement for change. We wholly endorse encouraging such a powerful tool for change rather than boycotting its use.”

This letter, of course, got mixed reactions from readers. In attempting to answer questions and defend her reasoning, Jo took to Twitter (and TwitLonger) to address her audience.

However, when this post did not seem to satisfy anyone, and only encouraged more debate, some fans turned towards using Harry Potter characters in messages to Jo about the Israeli culture boycott. This morning, Jo responded with an even longer TwitLonger, finding the need to further state her opinions. She clearly stated the message was not a complaint, and that the characters of Harry Potter belong to us as much as they belong to her.

There has been trouble between Israel and Palestine for about as long as I can remember. Both countries have done their fair share of inflicting pain and feeling pain. In recent light, the Israel government needs to be held accountable for the injustice and brutality it has wrongly inflicted on the Palestinian community.

There are many different tactics to force or persuade a country’s government to take responsibility for its actions. It is implementing those tactics where most third parties disagree–both citing consequences in the short and long term. Some vote for a culture boycotts, while J.K. Rowling and many other’s give valid reasons for fearing it.