I mean, again, no offense to anyone, but could anybody seriously defend this person's work product on the merits? All else aside, you don't write something this long unless you're Melville or Dostoyevsky, and she ain't Melville or Dostoyevsky.
In Russia we say “you shouldn't argue about tastes“, but there are limits.
"...really want to drink whatever the hell butterbeer was supposed to be"
Every possible definition of "butterbeer" I can imagine would be absolutely awful, and your description of an unlicensed product called that doesn't sound any better. I like beer, butter, rum, lifesavers, and soda, but definitely would not like any of them combined.
then you haven't tried my mother-in-law's hot buttered rum. she would mix some spices into soft butter and drop it in a small mug of sweetened heated rum.
There is a YouTube channel from a guy called Shaun. He has covered Rowling's transphobia extensively, most of all her close connections to outright bigots and trans-haters, if that's a word.
He's also done a deep dive analysis of the Harry Potter books and, as far as I'm concerned, came to some really eye-opening conclusions. It's a very long video but really worth the watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1iaJWSwUZs&t=416s
Great artists can be, and often are, petty, selfish, and repulsive people. Rowling has not (that we know) crossed over into Woody Allen territory. She propounds her vile opinions probably to keep getting attention, since she's not writing much and certainly not much of Harry Potter note.
Having been raised by such an artist, I learned long ago not to expect them to be good people. When they are, it's a big bonus. Even then, prepare to be disappointed. Enjoy the art. Leave the artist to her crabbed little life. Let her family deal with her; we always do, in the end.
She's actually writing a lot - her Robert Galbraith books are huge doorstops, and coming out steadily.
I know this, because I am part of a "British Mystery and Detective Novels" group on Facebook. The books are mentioned often, as they are quite popular with the group. Interestingly, very few of those readers seem to be aware that this person is Rowling, and almost none of them know anything about her vile views.
I find this a useful reminder that a whole lot of people don't pay any attention to political or social issues or anything really outside their own narrow interests.
I continue to be amazed how J. K. Rowling has taken all of the goodwill and affection the Harry Potter series won her and burned it to the ground. Because what’s the use of being an internationally beloved children’s author, I guess, if you’re not trying to make the lives of trans women more dangerous and depressing?
I have to say, if being a real, biological woman means you have to be this much of a rabble-rousing, paranoid, nasty killjoy, then I guess I’m going to have to explore my gender identity, because like hell I’m being numbered with that lot.
"She clearly doesn’t care and has said so many times, usually while bragging about how rich she is .. repulsing people so much that they can’t even enjoy the things they used to enjoy anymore without feeling weird about it."
I sure hope she's filthy fecking rich, because she's absolutely destroyed her brand. I am on Tumblr ALLL the time, and I could not tell you the last time I saw anyone posting about the Potterverse. Now if her name or creation is mentioned at all, it's to point out what a vile bigot she is, or what a shame, because (person) used to LOVE Harry Potter. And I'm talking about a demographic that's still obsessing over LotR. She could have attained that level of cultural permanence, but instead chose to throw it all away in favor of her rabid transphobia. So sad too bad, may she rot with it.
I had a FB "friend" who was always happily quoting Rowling's vile views on transgenderism and angrily posting examples where Rowling has been "attacked" by the "woke crowd." This former friend is a staunch feminist who feels that transgenderism is a "danger to REAL women." I put up with it for awhile (just breathe deeply and scroll on by) but eventually I—an old married cis gal—had to say adios to her and her hateful views. They can ALL rot with it.
Your take is very gracious toward Rowling. It’s too bad she’s ruined a good thing for so many. Her books were the first “chapter books” my then 2nd grader (he even looked a bit like Harry Potter) read. He’s 26 now and finds her views repulsive. I’m sure he’s not alone.
She is supremely disappointing! This article pisses me off extra much tonight, as I had to deal with my kid's Dad earlier, and when I sent him Alex's newest artwork to peruse, he came back with "did she change her name?" ( He knows very well that Alex did in fact change it and that he has come out as trans. He acts like he doesn't to try to goad me into a fight.) Then when I didn't answer that quickly enough, he followed it up with "Did it change it's name?" Because hahahilarous to call your own child an "it". This is why I only text with him, so he can't hear my meditative breathing. I'll be damned if I give him even one second of victory. Excuse me while I stroke out now.
Good God. That kind of denial is so harmful. I hope your child has as little contact as possible with that man but that is just a different sort of pain. I wish your son the best and that he has or finds someone who can model being a truly good, loving man.
He has nearly zero contact, by his father's own neglectful choices at first, but at this point, he has nothing to do with his father and wants nothing to do with him. I won't be sharing this with him, because who even needs to hear some shit like that from your own dad, even second hand? Hypocrite is too kind of a word to call this man, since he's a bisexual himself, albeit one on the dl. Still, just gross. I really get down on myself sometimes for even getting together with him, but I have to remind myself that he was like a completely different person when we first got together. He didn't turn into a psycho and turn on me until I accidentally caught him cheating on me. Accidentally, as in I wasn't even looking because I didn't suspect anything. After that happened, he turned on me and my children completely.
I'm so sorry for all of you, even him. I honestly can't imagine turning on your own child like that and especially for something so core to their being.
He'll never know how rich his life could have been, nor probably how much damage he caused.
The nym came from Something Awful, where a commenter who was fond of surrealism came up with a generated list of... something, don't remember what, just that it was a list of two word things. I spotted Whale Chowder and it sang to me. Turns out I never have to worry about user name conflicts ever again.
He's a diagnosed narcissist (now at least). He knows the damage that he's wrought, but he just doesn't care enough to do anything to alleviate it. I only very occasionally contact him, usually to give him a quick update on the kids, or to show off my son's latest artwork, which I'm very proud of. I keep hoping that something will click, but honestly, at this point, I doubt it ever will. Still, he will never be able to come back when they're older and say that I was responsible for alienating then from him. I'll have every single receipt to prove that I tried.
The way it works is if we trans women try to pass with average clothing and makeup, we get told it's a shitty version of women. If we go butch, we get told we don't look the part. It's no win. My choice is, fuck you I don't wear pants. I'll rock leggings with a dress or skirt or shorts, but otherwise it's always dresses, skirts, or shorts. I just prefer it, end of story
The worst thing about this is that Rowling thinks she’s the hero of this story, defending cis women from…I’m not exactly sure. She loves to parrot the idiotic claim that gender-inclusive language is “erasing women” - nope, I’m still here. After she posted her big manifesto (and erased any doubt that she’s a transphobe with some deep-rooted gender identity issues of her own that she won’t deal with) on Twitter, I told her she sounded like a Death Eater talking about Muggle-borns.
Nailed it! I, too, love the extremely humane and caring Potterverse, and must accept that the creator of such loveliness is herself stuck in such an ugly place regarding this set of extremely vulnerable humans. Thank you for getting all this exactly right, Robyn! And I love the panda poncho!
i can remember being in harry potter world at universal studios, and being so impressed with the surroundings and the actors (my friend asked the train conductor where he was from, and he simply said "over there on High Street", which was so charming) and when we finally had to leave after the fireworks we were in tears (not ashamed to admit it). Then this bimbo screws it all up, and i had to bite my tongue when my driver in edinborough said "this is where she lives, and she's a nice lady".
I mean, again, no offense to anyone, but could anybody seriously defend this person's work product on the merits? All else aside, you don't write something this long unless you're Melville or Dostoyevsky, and she ain't Melville or Dostoyevsky.
In Russia we say “you shouldn't argue about tastes“, but there are limits.
"...really want to drink whatever the hell butterbeer was supposed to be"
Every possible definition of "butterbeer" I can imagine would be absolutely awful, and your description of an unlicensed product called that doesn't sound any better. I like beer, butter, rum, lifesavers, and soda, but definitely would not like any of them combined.
then you haven't tried my mother-in-law's hot buttered rum. she would mix some spices into soft butter and drop it in a small mug of sweetened heated rum.
There is a YouTube channel from a guy called Shaun. He has covered Rowling's transphobia extensively, most of all her close connections to outright bigots and trans-haters, if that's a word.
He's also done a deep dive analysis of the Harry Potter books and, as far as I'm concerned, came to some really eye-opening conclusions. It's a very long video but really worth the watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1iaJWSwUZs&t=416s
Great artists can be, and often are, petty, selfish, and repulsive people. Rowling has not (that we know) crossed over into Woody Allen territory. She propounds her vile opinions probably to keep getting attention, since she's not writing much and certainly not much of Harry Potter note.
Having been raised by such an artist, I learned long ago not to expect them to be good people. When they are, it's a big bonus. Even then, prepare to be disappointed. Enjoy the art. Leave the artist to her crabbed little life. Let her family deal with her; we always do, in the end.
She's actually writing a lot - her Robert Galbraith books are huge doorstops, and coming out steadily.
I know this, because I am part of a "British Mystery and Detective Novels" group on Facebook. The books are mentioned often, as they are quite popular with the group. Interestingly, very few of those readers seem to be aware that this person is Rowling, and almost none of them know anything about her vile views.
I find this a useful reminder that a whole lot of people don't pay any attention to political or social issues or anything really outside their own narrow interests.
Stop the presses! OMG!! Somebody on the telly worries about how she looks and deliberately draws attention to herself!! What is the world coming to?
I’m with you. Her world is tainted and that sucks horrifically. Also, I HAVE to find “ a butter rum Lifesaver soda” somewhere. Noice !!!
Robert Galbraith agrees. Except when he's not cosplaying as JK Rowling.
I continue to be amazed how J. K. Rowling has taken all of the goodwill and affection the Harry Potter series won her and burned it to the ground. Because what’s the use of being an internationally beloved children’s author, I guess, if you’re not trying to make the lives of trans women more dangerous and depressing?
I have to say, if being a real, biological woman means you have to be this much of a rabble-rousing, paranoid, nasty killjoy, then I guess I’m going to have to explore my gender identity, because like hell I’m being numbered with that lot.
You go, girl. Love your posts!
Ta, Robyn. J.K. Rowling is a huge disappointment.
The solution: in 20 years, most of the bigots will be dead. The problem: waiting those 20 years
That’s what we thought in the 1960’s
That, and the new wave of bigots. There's always a new wave on the horizon. But we persevere, and we make our own waves.
"She clearly doesn’t care and has said so many times, usually while bragging about how rich she is .. repulsing people so much that they can’t even enjoy the things they used to enjoy anymore without feeling weird about it."
I sure hope she's filthy fecking rich, because she's absolutely destroyed her brand. I am on Tumblr ALLL the time, and I could not tell you the last time I saw anyone posting about the Potterverse. Now if her name or creation is mentioned at all, it's to point out what a vile bigot she is, or what a shame, because (person) used to LOVE Harry Potter. And I'm talking about a demographic that's still obsessing over LotR. She could have attained that level of cultural permanence, but instead chose to throw it all away in favor of her rabid transphobia. So sad too bad, may she rot with it.
I had a FB "friend" who was always happily quoting Rowling's vile views on transgenderism and angrily posting examples where Rowling has been "attacked" by the "woke crowd." This former friend is a staunch feminist who feels that transgenderism is a "danger to REAL women." I put up with it for awhile (just breathe deeply and scroll on by) but eventually I—an old married cis gal—had to say adios to her and her hateful views. They can ALL rot with it.
Your take is very gracious toward Rowling. It’s too bad she’s ruined a good thing for so many. Her books were the first “chapter books” my then 2nd grader (he even looked a bit like Harry Potter) read. He’s 26 now and finds her views repulsive. I’m sure he’s not alone.
She is supremely disappointing! This article pisses me off extra much tonight, as I had to deal with my kid's Dad earlier, and when I sent him Alex's newest artwork to peruse, he came back with "did she change her name?" ( He knows very well that Alex did in fact change it and that he has come out as trans. He acts like he doesn't to try to goad me into a fight.) Then when I didn't answer that quickly enough, he followed it up with "Did it change it's name?" Because hahahilarous to call your own child an "it". This is why I only text with him, so he can't hear my meditative breathing. I'll be damned if I give him even one second of victory. Excuse me while I stroke out now.
Good God. That kind of denial is so harmful. I hope your child has as little contact as possible with that man but that is just a different sort of pain. I wish your son the best and that he has or finds someone who can model being a truly good, loving man.
He has nearly zero contact, by his father's own neglectful choices at first, but at this point, he has nothing to do with his father and wants nothing to do with him. I won't be sharing this with him, because who even needs to hear some shit like that from your own dad, even second hand? Hypocrite is too kind of a word to call this man, since he's a bisexual himself, albeit one on the dl. Still, just gross. I really get down on myself sometimes for even getting together with him, but I have to remind myself that he was like a completely different person when we first got together. He didn't turn into a psycho and turn on me until I accidentally caught him cheating on me. Accidentally, as in I wasn't even looking because I didn't suspect anything. After that happened, he turned on me and my children completely.
I'm so sorry for all of you, even him. I honestly can't imagine turning on your own child like that and especially for something so core to their being.
He'll never know how rich his life could have been, nor probably how much damage he caused.
I have to ask, since I see that you lived in the pnw, is your nom de plume a reference to the blown up whale on the Oregon Coast?
Ha, no but I should make up a story.
The nym came from Something Awful, where a commenter who was fond of surrealism came up with a generated list of... something, don't remember what, just that it was a list of two word things. I spotted Whale Chowder and it sang to me. Turns out I never have to worry about user name conflicts ever again.
Lol. I love it. 😂
He's a diagnosed narcissist (now at least). He knows the damage that he's wrought, but he just doesn't care enough to do anything to alleviate it. I only very occasionally contact him, usually to give him a quick update on the kids, or to show off my son's latest artwork, which I'm very proud of. I keep hoping that something will click, but honestly, at this point, I doubt it ever will. Still, he will never be able to come back when they're older and say that I was responsible for alienating then from him. I'll have every single receipt to prove that I tried.
The way it works is if we trans women try to pass with average clothing and makeup, we get told it's a shitty version of women. If we go butch, we get told we don't look the part. It's no win. My choice is, fuck you I don't wear pants. I'll rock leggings with a dress or skirt or shorts, but otherwise it's always dresses, skirts, or shorts. I just prefer it, end of story
The worst thing about this is that Rowling thinks she’s the hero of this story, defending cis women from…I’m not exactly sure. She loves to parrot the idiotic claim that gender-inclusive language is “erasing women” - nope, I’m still here. After she posted her big manifesto (and erased any doubt that she’s a transphobe with some deep-rooted gender identity issues of her own that she won’t deal with) on Twitter, I told her she sounded like a Death Eater talking about Muggle-borns.
Trans women are going to erase women just like gay marriage erased straight marriage. Oh wait...
Nailed it! I, too, love the extremely humane and caring Potterverse, and must accept that the creator of such loveliness is herself stuck in such an ugly place regarding this set of extremely vulnerable humans. Thank you for getting all this exactly right, Robyn! And I love the panda poncho!
i can remember being in harry potter world at universal studios, and being so impressed with the surroundings and the actors (my friend asked the train conductor where he was from, and he simply said "over there on High Street", which was so charming) and when we finally had to leave after the fireworks we were in tears (not ashamed to admit it). Then this bimbo screws it all up, and i had to bite my tongue when my driver in edinborough said "this is where she lives, and she's a nice lady".
I'm sure she IS a very nice lady... to the 'right' people...
Such a shame.
Who knew she was Slytherin the whole time? Twist ending!
Here's hoping she finds her way out of that ugly place.
The ugly place is where she's from and where she lives, so not gonna happen.