Elf Blood

Unlike most of my other politics posts, I’m going to keep this one relatively short and sweet (partially to counter the bitterness I feel over the entire affair).

Much is being made over the announcement that there is a new Harry Potter book coming out, and fandom around the world is rejoicing. I, however, have made the conscious decision not to purchase the book.

That’s not to say that I don’t like Harry Potter. I love Harry Potter. The very first book, way back in the mists of time now, I consumed in a single night – the only book I have ever done so. I was thrilled beyond excitement when they commissioned the films.

In recent years, though, I have become disillusioned with JK Rowling. Though I was injured, I could withstand fine the fact that she rejected the idea of Scottish independence – after all, some of my very best friends were pro-UK, and I don’t think any less of them for that, not in the slightest. I was a bit irked when she donated money to the Better Together campaign – not only did they have plenty of resource already, she was now directly working against me and my comrades.

The final straw, however, has come post-referendum. Specifically, the Natalie McGarry case. An SNP-affiliated MP (voluntarily withdrew from the whip over an investigation into the Women for Independence group – as of yet, nothing has come of this, nor has she been questioned)challenged Rowling over her association on Twitter with an account named Brian Spanners – a horrendous account that tweets all sorts of hatred about politicians, noted for the mysoginistic abuse the account heaps on female politicians. Not satire, mind – straight-up abuse. Rowling can readily be found laughing at his ‘banter’, and praises him for raising money for her charity. McGarry pointed this out, and when challenged by Rowling, backed down. Honestly, McGarry either should have stood her ground and followed through or not started the fight at all – this ill-thought-out attack of hers has essentially made us look weak, and she could easily prove the connection. What Rowling proceeded to do was threaten legal action unless McGarry made a donation to her own charity organisation. To this date, McGarry hasn’t made said donation, but neither has Rowling unleashed her “small island” of lawyers (actual quote).

In all honesty, neither side comes off well. McGarry comes off as a point-scoring wannabe, which is the kind of representation Scotland and Yes Scotland can do without, while Rowling comes across as a litigious bully, little more than an ego sat atop a vast pile of wealth. You won’t hear this from the sycophantic news media, however, who are all too eager to praise Rowling. “JK Rowling shuts down SNP troll” “JK Rowling had the perfect response to this MP” not to mention the legions of rabid fans clogging up McGarry’s timelines with whoops of victory and threats of further action. The next time Rowling decides to complain about ‘nasty cybernats’, I would strongly suggest she takes a look at the people clinging to her name.

So, I will not be purchasing the new Harry Potter books. I now find the author too reprehensible to enjoy her work, and to buy a copy would no doubt be directly funding any future opposition to the independence I wish for Scotland.

This is not to say that you shouldn’t. I really don’t mind if you read on about more adventures in the Harry Potter universe – you probably don’t have the baggage I do. But Rowling has truly and utterly spoiled the franchise for me, and I can’t in good conscience contribute any more to her coffers. Because someday, she may just come after me for something stupid I say, and I’ll need every penny I’ve got to stand up against her ‘small island’ of lawyers.

M.