Potions, Powers, and Prejudice

For a generation, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter franchise stood for heroism, fighting against adversity, and inclusion of outsiders. This is why Rowling’s loud declaration, in 2020 and onward, of transphobic and trans-exclusionary beliefs felt like a betrayal to many of her readers, prompting a widespread revaluation of her work and what it means to them now.

Since then, librarians have heatedly debated what to do about Harry Potter-centric programming. Fans – in podcasts, fan fiction, and tabletop roleplaying games – have continued to destabilize the familiar characters and stories. Readers have contemplated the deeper significance of underexplored aspects of the books.

These reactions all signify an active engagement with the post-2020 meaning of Harry Potter, and Potions, Powers, and Prejudice: Reassessing Harry Potter captures a wide range of such perspectives, exploring the matter of what we collectively do with Harry Potter in the wake of its creator’s very public turn.

In Potions, Powers, and Prejudices, some contributors argue for decisive disengagement from the franchise, while others urge a more selective approach. Some proceed with “the death of the author” in mind, happily constructing their own sense of the text absent Rowling’s tainted presence, and still others reflect on their complex past experiences with Harry Potter in light of recent events.

Rowling’s rhetoric and political action since 2020 has puzzled and saddened many of her readers, who sincerely took her characters and work to heart. This book offers a road map to a wide range of thoughtful perspectives on the matter, helping make sense of both the creator’s and readers’ roles in an especially charged cultural moment.

Jason D. Phillips is a Social Sciences Librarian and Associate Librarian at the University of Central Florida Libraries. His research interests include intellectual freedom, censorship, library work culture, and evidence synthesis methodologies. He is an active contributor to the library profession through scholarship, presentations, and service in state and national library organizations.

Jordan Ruud is the director of library services at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, where he serves as liaison to the humanities disciplines. His research interests include user experience and intellectual freedom.

Nicki Stancil is an Associate Professor of Media Communication and eSports Coach at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Her research emphasizes critical, feminist perspectives on new media, digital spaces, and popular television and the myriad ways audiences, viewers, and users interact with these media to build and maintain culture, community, and identity. In the classroom she focuses on compassionate, cooperative pedagogy to build open and engaging learning environments.