Why’s Everyone Fighting Over Hogwarts: Legacy?
Hogwarts Legacy, a game that would have fulfilled most Potterhead gamers’ dreams, is one gaining a lot of flack because of its creator.
Many of us have grown up and endorsed Harry Potter for our kids to read. Some of us have even built friendships around the famous question: “What House are you from?” However, the latest release of the formerly beloved franchise, Hogwarts Legacy, has merited a lot of mixed feelings with some arguing for curiosity, with others immediately canceling others for even considering the game or mentioning it.
Where and how did all this hate start?
It all started with J.K. Rowling, the author of the series, posting several controversial tweets in 2020. Her initial comment about an article where she pointed out that the term “people who menstruate” instead of “women”, sent a message that people who don’t menstruate are not women.
‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA
Her next tweet incited more flak as she wrote how she wished she could march with trans people “if they were being discriminated against for being trans” which added more fuel to the fire.
I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
A few more controversial tweets and her lengthy essay regarding her “worries about trans activism” later, the fires grew bigger and many celebrities whose careers came from the formerly beloved franchise came out with their own statements.
What some stars had to say
Daniel Radcliffe, playing the franchise’s namesake, came out with his statement on the Trevor Project and also noted how some might paint his statement as an “in-fighting” with Rowling:
“…Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional healthcare associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I. According to The Trevor Project, 78% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being the subject of discrimination because of their gender identity. It’s clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm.”
Daniel also apologized to the many fans who have found a home in the franchise. “To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished. I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you…”
Emma Watson also came out with a few tweets of her own to reveal her support:
Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020
Rupert Grint his stand on the issue, too: “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men,” Grint said, according to the Sunday Times on Friday, June 12, 2020. “We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”
More controversial tweets
The fight had spilled out even to famed horror author Stephen King who says that she has “canceled him.” Rowling then deleted her tweet that praised the author after his short and clear statement about his position.
Yes. Trans women are women.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) June 28, 2020
Another tweet that led to the increasing call to boycott and cancel was her response to hormone therapy. Her long thread talked about how she believed that health professionals were “shunting” younger ones into hormone therapy and compared it to anti-depressants.
I’ve ignored fake tweets attributed to me and RTed widely. I’ve ignored porn tweeted at children on a thread about their art. I’ve ignored death and rape threats. I’m not going to ignore this. 1/11 pic.twitter.com/hfSaGR2UVa
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 5, 2020
The effect it has on the game
The recent release of Hogwarts Legacy revealed how deep the rifts run in the community. Although there are some who wish to play the game after dealing with the rather poorly made one for the first PlayStation, many are now on the fence about playing or even posting about it. It does not help that the game recently released a supposedly trans character, Sirona Ryan, who some feel may just be a “marketing ploy” and an attempt to “appease” rather than it truly being part of the game.
Moreover, social media has had heated arguments about the game to the point that moderators in the different gaming communities had to either close the thread or release a public announcement.
Can we separate the author from the work?
Although some have tried to separate Hogwarts Legacy from the author, it’s difficult, especially when most works have real-life references. Many who have found comfort in the franchise, especially those who are trans, feel betrayed as other fans soon started pointing out other instances in the books. As families, it may be hard to let go of a franchise especially one that has shaped our childhood. But as Daniel Radcliffe hopes for many of the Potterhead parents and kids, “I really hope that you don’t entirely lose what was valuable in these stories to you…. And in my opinion, nobody can touch that. It means to you what it means to you and I hope that these comments will not taint that too much.”
Other fandoms that might be nice for kids to get into:
8 Neil Gaiman Books Kids Can Get Into If They Love The Sandman
This Children’s Book on Body Positivity Helps Empower Little Girls
Elizabeth Olsen and Husband Robbie Arnett Release a Children’s Book
