J.K. Rowling, the author of one of the greatest book sagas of all time has responded via her Twitter account to some fans that have been saying they would burn Harry Potter’s books and movies because of Rowling’s political beliefs.
Over the past months, Rowling has made very clear that she does not approve Donald Trump’s beliefs or principles as she is one of the many artists who has spoken against some of the President’s declarations and actions.
Several readers across the United States have said that because of Rawling’s posture regarding Trump, they would burn Harry Potter books and movies, as they mention her in the posts.
After Rowling publicly condemned Trump’s decision of banning the entrance to the U.S. to citizens from 7 Muslim countries, several readers told Rowling that they were disgusted with her declarations.
However, Rowling did not stay quiet, as she responded to the fans with messages via Twitter.
Guess it's true what they say: you can lead a girl to books about the rise and fall of an autocrat, but you still can't make her think. pic.twitter.com/oB7Aq6Xz8M
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 1, 2017
Not the first time Rowling faces a similar situation
This whole fever of Trump supporters burning Harry Potter books has happened before, although not for the same reasons. When the saga was getting more and more famous, a group of people organized a bonfire in New Mexico to burn the Rowling’s books. It was 2001, and those individuals claimed that the novels were encouraging satanist behaviors and practices.
Some of the accusations were: “behind that innocent face (Harry’s face) is the power of satanic darkness,” and that “Harry Potter is the devil and he is destroying people.”
“I have met thousands of children now, and not even one time has a child come up to me and said, ‘Ms Rowling, I’m so glad I’ve read these books because now I want to be a witch,” Rowling stated to BBC Radio at the time.
All the way since the publication of the first book of the saga, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” several school boards in the United States have tried to ban the books in some states. One of the most famous cases was in 2005 when a mother was able to carry the accusation to the Supreme Court by alleging that the Rowling saga was encouraging witchcraft among youngsters.
Also, back in 2009, Rowling lost the Medal of Freedom granted by the President, because some officials stated that the books she wrote clearly promoted witchcraft and satanism.
Over the last 20 years, there has been as much as six book-burning events in America that accuse Harry Potter of being satanic. Rowling has stated that she is Christian and that in fact, the saga she wrote tries to “encompass all religions,” as Harry Potter shows a message of inclusiveness among the magic and the real world.
Source: Polygon