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Feminism and J.K. Rowling : an inspiring struggle

Who is she?

Joanne Kathleen Rowling, known as J.K Rowling. She is the famous author of the best-selling Harry Potter books.

Picture of 10 books most readed

Indeed, the 7 books about the adventures of Harry and his friends at Hogwarts have sold over 500 million copies. Thus, it is in the 3rd place of the most read books in the world, behind The Bible (3 900 million sales) and The Little Red Book of Mao Zedong (820 million). In 2010, she became the most influential woman in Great Britain. In 2021, she will reach a fortune of 1.5 billion dollars.

As a result, she became a feminist icon through her novels and her anti-sexist statements.

Photography de Joanne Kathleen Rowling

"I don't like the marginalization of women when fights break out. A woman can fight just like a man."

What has she done to become an icon of feminism ?

In the Harry Potter heptalogy, she hides behind her double initials J.K in order not to reveal her real name. Indeed, her agent fears that little boys are the target group of the saga. For him, a fantasy book written by a woman will attract less. She hid behind a pseudonym again, Robert Galbraith. J. K. Rowling explains this because she always wanted to be called Ella Galbraith and that choosing Robert as a first name is a tribute to Robert F. Kennedy. A politician she admires a lot, assassinated in 1968.

Moreover, she wants her novels to give off an atmosphere of another time, while defending many very current values, such as feminism. She has been fighting for 20 years on various subjects related to this fight. J.K has been an inspiration for the defenders of the feminist cause. First of all, because the English multi-millionaire gave birth on paper to strong and charismatic heroines.

Picture of Hermione Granger's statue

For example, when she discovered during her adolescence the theater of Shakespeare. She was therefore strongly attracted by the statue of Hermione Granger coming to life in The Winter's Tale. A character with an intelligence and courage often superior to that of her comrades Ron and Harry.

J.K pulls out her claws in against misogynistic events

We know that J.K Rowling has spoken out on the subject of feminism many times. In 2017, we remember that she took out her claws and denounced the behavior of a man who insulted British Prime Minister Theresa May on Twitter. The writer expresses her displeasure without delicacy. She can not stand those who do not know how to disagree with a woman without using horrible dated insults.

"I'm sick of "liberal" men whose mask falls off every time a woman doesn't do what they want and who immediately use humiliating and vulgar words...".

Moreover, she does not agree with the criteria of beauty in the United States. She is convinced that her two daughters will live in a world obsessed with thinness.

"It worries me because I don't want them to become scatterbrained, self-obsessed, emaciated clones. I'd rather they be independent, interesting, idealistic, kind, original, funny; a thousand things rather than thin."

Has she recently been controversial?

J.K has relied on controversial tweets in the last 2 years. Indeed, she does not agree with the possibility of changing the sex of a child. She finds that it takes away all sense of their existence. This has strongly displeased the LGBT community. As a result, she is accused of transphobia.

‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?

Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

Her words have disturbed a lot of celebrities. Even the actors of the Harry Potter films have expressed their displeasure. Daniel Radcliffe, the main actor playing Harry, explains that trans women remain women "like any other". Emma Watson, as well known for her portrayal of Hermione and as a feminist icon, also spoke out. "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they are not who they say they are."

Image from a scene in Harry Potter 5 where Hermione and Harry have a surprised look on their faces, looking displeased.

Consequences

Referring to the domestic violence she has suffered with her first husband, our celebrity tried to justify herself. Alas! The fire is not extinguished. Indeed, her publishers were betting heavily on the release of her next opus. However, it is feared that some of her fans will not go to see The Fantastic Beasts in November 2021.