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Newer Generations Are Critical of Harry Potter - Do They Know Something We Don't?
Pop Culture

Newer Generations Are Critical of Harry Potter - Do They Know Something We Don't?

Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone was the first novel of the series and was released 25 years ago in 1997. Since then, the series has taken off to unforeseen heights. Since all seven books were released, adaptations through film, video games, comics, school reading lists, and merchandise have flooded the shelves. If there’s a way to integrate Harry Potter into something, someone will find a way.RELATED: Why J.K. Rowling’s Controversies Crushed Harry Potter Fans and Changed Celebrity CultureThe Harry Potter fanbase is extremely large with dedicated fans ranging from 30 years old and over who grew up with the book releases to the newer generations who are reading it for the first time. While the books have stayed the same, our perspective as a society has not. This has caused the newer generation to view the series in a different light.You may have heard controversies surrounding the author of the series, J.K. Rowling, and her transphobic comments. But did you know that the series has been criticized for its sometimes-questionable content? We’re talking about some dark nuances. Why are these controversies only brought to light now, years after the last film and book were released?Harry Potter’s Discrimination and Stereotyping Explained(Photo by D Dipasupil/FilmMagic)There are many problems with the books that have come to our attention in recent years. But the two that take center stage are discrimination and stereotyping. If you’re thinking, “I never noticed any sort of discriminatory language”, that’s because it’s subtle, or was, only a few years ago. The way in which it's integrated into the books is the reason they went undetected for so long.The first instance that comes to mind with racist language is the goblins of Gringotts Bank. Many readers realized that the way goblins were described in the books was surprisingly anti-Semitic. In both the books and movies, the goblins were described as having a hooked nose, short and unattractive. Throughout the series, the goblins were made to seem clever, but unfriendly. They are creatures who are more concerned about money in the bank than the people to whom the money belongs. Later in the series, we see goblins being portrayed as greedy and untrustworthy. The movies took these descriptions a step further with their on-screen depiction that is eerily similar to a Nazi propaganda poster.RELATED: 100 Harry Potter Quotes that Will Put a Spell on your ThoughtsThis is not the only nuance of anti-Semitism. In fact, the terms “mudblood” and “half-blood” seems to follow old charts the Nazis used to demonstrate Aryan or Jewish blood. If this wasn’t compelling enough, Lord Voldemort is partly based on Hitler. Rowling herself told the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant that Voldemort was modeled after both Hitler and Stalin and that the Second World War influenced her.But there’s more. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Professor Quirrell is hiding Voldemort under a turban. This is disturbing as it mirrors the racist thought that someone wearing a turban is a bad or violent person and hiding something. This is the reality that many who choose to show their faith through religious head scarves have to face daily.RELATED: 6 Life-Changing Books That Inspired J.K. Rowling to WriteIt would be wrong to talk about racism in Harry Potter without mentioning Cho Chang. The only Chinese character in the whole book is named Cho Chang. Not only is the name itself stereotypical, but it’s also a Korean name! For a prominent character in both Goblet of Fire and The Order of the Phoenix, it’s surprising that Rowling put such little thought into the character. Lastly, we have the Irish stereotype poor Seamus Finnigan endured. It’s common for the British to see the Irish as foolish, drinking too much and pulling pranks. This stereotype heavily influenced the character of Seamus Finnigan as he’s been known over the series to blow things up.Is Harry Potter Encouraging Children to Take Up Witchcraft?Harry Potter has gotten some serious flak for some of the descriptions of the occult. One example used to demonstrate a link to Satanic rituals is the fact that the series says that drinking the blood of a dead animal gives you power. In Goblet of Fire, it seemed that a satanic human sacrifice took place when Harry’s blood was used to give Voldemort new life. There was even a satirical article published in The Onion called Harry Potter Books Spark Rise In Satanism Among Children.There is also the argument that Harry Potter encouraged children to participate in witchcraft. Many concerned parents and critics of the series claimed the book promoted witchcraft and occult ideologies. While some argued it posed a danger to children, many also explained that the books did preach Christian values such as loyalty, friendship, love, and the temptation of power.RELATED: J.K. Rowling Tweets About Feeling Stuck, Encourages Us to Persevere When Things Seem Hopeless“I absolutely did not start writing these books to encourage any child into witchcraft,” Rowling said in an interview with CNN “I’m laughing slightly because, to me, the idea is absurd. I have met thousands of children 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’.”While noting these criticisms, it’s important to think about whether it’s even possible to write a children’s fantasy novel without these characters. When it comes to children, the content they are exposed to will always be questioned. We can see this through book bans that continue to take place in 2022. While the intention is to protect children, we need to also question why we feel the need to protect children from what we deem as “dangerous”.RELATED: Daniel Radcliffe Opens Up About How He Turned to Drinking to Deal With Harry Potter FameRowling thinks we “underestimate children so hugely.” She’s been clear with her response to criticism. “They know it’s fiction. When people are arguing from that kind of standpoint, I don’t think reason works tremendously well. But I would be surprised if some of them had read the books at all.”The New Generation of Harry Potter Readers Stance on the Book’s ControversiesEvery generation has found the Harry Potter series in one way or another, keeping the fanbase alive and well 25 years later. But unlike other generations, the new readers have become less tolerant of some of the book's content and the controversies surrounding it. Between racist remarks, transphobic comments, and more, the new generation has found themselves in a weird purgatory of loving the books but not loving everything they, or Rowling, stand for.The reveal of Dumbledore’s sexuality excited the queer community of Harry Potter fans and created a new hype around Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a Harry Potter spinoff that includes the romance of Dumbledore and Grindelwald. Even with advancements such as this, as well as Rowling admitting that Hermione could have easily been a black female lead, it’s not enough to offset the other problematic themes.RELATED: The Harry Potter Stars Open Up And Get Vulnerable About Their Time In The FranchiseThese controversies are being discussed more among young readers. While school boards have challenged these books on reading lists, it might be worthwhile to discuss them in the classroom and give children a constructive setting to talk about real issues.As Rowling mentioned, children are severely underestimated for critical thinking skills and the ability to adapt and accept new ideas. Using these books as a framework for talking about World War II, or even when discussing religion can be a useful tool. Children relate to these novels because they see themselves in the main characters, using that to leverage our curriculum can be more helpful than harmful.KEEP READING: 3 Lessons Harry Potter Taught Us About Life

J.K. Rowling Tweets About Feeling Stuck, Encourages Us to Persevere When Things Seem Hopeless
Motivation

J.K. Rowling Tweets About Feeling Stuck, Encourages Us to Persevere When Things Seem Hopeless

Literary icon J.K. Rowling may be one of the greatest writers of all time, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t struggle with work like the rest of us. In fact, she almost gave up writing in the middle of a Harry Potter chapter.While the natural talent required to create the amazing body of work that makes up the world of Harry Potter is undeniable, it takes more than raw talent to become the first billionaire author in history – specifically hard work and perseverance, as Rowling revealed in a series of encouraging tweets.The revealing conversation was kicked off when Rowling tweeted she’d been struggling with productivity that day. Thousands of likes and hundreds of comments later, it was obvious her post had struck a nerve.Many fans and aspiring writers asked for advice on dealing with writer’s block, which led Rowling to reveal that one Harry Potter chapter almost broke her: "Dark Mark," which tells a complex and pivotal scene of the Potter world.Rowling’s no-nonsense admission of how much she struggled came offered much-needed encouragement and relief to many. Her response was also proof that even when things seem impossible, perseverance is worth it.But Rowling’s advice did not stop there. As further appreciation poured in on Twitter, JKR seized on one grateful fan’s words to remind people that the goal is not perfection, as perfection is unattainable. Instead, aim to seize the moment and push through the hardship. Dare to follow your dreams even, or especially, when things are tough.

What Is Success And How Do We Become Successful?
Self-Development

What Is Success And How Do We Become Successful?

Do you often find yourself chasing after commodities? Do you see a person driving a lavish car and tick him off as a successful person? Is the synonym for success in your dictionary money? If you think that success is measured by the amount of zeros you can add to the figure on your check, then you are extremely wrong! Success is not a number it is an attitude that comes only when you find your true calling. Success Is Not A Number Success is defined as 'the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.' It has nothing to do with money. Money may or may not result after success. Many writers who are celebrated as not only successful but even legendary had lived a life of poverty. Similarly, the kingdoms of many kings despised them and yet they were buried in gold caskets. Would you call them successful? Of course not! What Is Success And How Do We Become Successful? “It is the quality of one's convictions that determines success, not the number of followers” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows As the Queen of fiction has rightly pointed out, success is more about our passions and convictions then how much those passions are earning for us. True success brings us happiness that illuminates our being. Although we can never deny the importance of money in our lives but we must also not forget about what makes us happy, which is not always money . How To Achieve Success Find Your True Calling The first step in achieving success is to find what makes you really happy. Find the work that make you forget about the concept of time. Your passions consume you and make you oblivious to your surroundings. When you are spending time in following your dreams, you are creating magic! If you have found your true calling, then you are right on track. Success is not far away now. Work On It Now that you know the purpose for which you were created, you need to work on it and polish it. Work hard and relentlessly to be the best at it. If you love to paint then keep painting until every stroke of your brush exudes nothing but excellence. This is essential for your success, otherwise, it will be impossible for you to stand out from the crowd. Always remember that while talent is a blessing, it still needs constant polishing. Sell It! Now that you have achieved excellence, there is no harm in selling it to the world. In fact, if you are capable of doing magic, you have no right to keep it to yourself! At this stage, always keep in mind that not everybody will buy what you are selling but it must never deter you! You must keep doing what makes you happy. Stay Hopeful Now that you are on the road to success, never stop believing in yourself. The money you are making is not important, it may be huge or meager but what counts is how content your soul is and as long as you feel a sense of accomplishment after completing every project, you are successful!