J.K. Rowling's use of apostrophes are on full display with this post on X. The photo of Donald Trump surrounded by girls is an iconic image, and the tide appears to have turned. Has the Democratic Party come to its senses yet?
Showing posts with label JK Rowling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JK Rowling. Show all posts
February 07, 2025
June 11, 2020
J.K. Rowling Essay
People interested in reading the essay by J.K. Rowling on gender issues can read it here: https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/j-k-rowling-writes-about-her-reasons-for-speaking-out-on-sex-and-gender-issues/
If I was marking this essay I'd probably give it an A-. She loses me when bringing her own experiences of domestic violence into the debate. I don't exactly see how this fits. As an aside, I've only read her first book and did form the impression then that she'd been the victim of abuse. I can't point to any one piece of that work, it's just an overarching feeling that emerges.
Where I think her argument stands up well is her addressing issues around privacy. There are real concerns that any man can now instantly claim status as a woman and turn up in a swimming pool changing shed amongst the girls, or anywhere they like really. Often laws that are now proposed entrench that new right. And what of girls? Do they have no say in any of this, or their parents?
While her essay is a thoughtful work, I'd like to have seen more argument around these gender and sex issues, rather than an account of her own life experiences. Otherwise, a good effort. Note, I'm not saying I agree with her in everything she's saying, just assessing her ability to say it and her absolute right to do so.
If I was marking this essay I'd probably give it an A-. She loses me when bringing her own experiences of domestic violence into the debate. I don't exactly see how this fits. As an aside, I've only read her first book and did form the impression then that she'd been the victim of abuse. I can't point to any one piece of that work, it's just an overarching feeling that emerges.
Where I think her argument stands up well is her addressing issues around privacy. There are real concerns that any man can now instantly claim status as a woman and turn up in a swimming pool changing shed amongst the girls, or anywhere they like really. Often laws that are now proposed entrench that new right. And what of girls? Do they have no say in any of this, or their parents?
While her essay is a thoughtful work, I'd like to have seen more argument around these gender and sex issues, rather than an account of her own life experiences. Otherwise, a good effort. Note, I'm not saying I agree with her in everything she's saying, just assessing her ability to say it and her absolute right to do so.
December 22, 2019
The Cancelling of J.K. Rowling
People must have gone mad during this year's celebrations of Saturnalia. To a certain extent I agree with the following writer on the subject:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/jk-rowling-cancelled-woke-outrage-mob-saying-biological-sex-real
"Rowling being cancelled is particularly ironic given that she has thrown her weight behind virtually every ludicrous ‘woke’ crusade in recent years, including by claiming that her character Hermione was black despite her being described as having a “white face” in the Harry Potter books."
What was Rowling's crime? Saying this in defense of Maya Forstater who lost her court case, brought by Forstater after losing her job for having alleged transphobic views:
Dress however you please.
Call yourself whatever you like.
Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you.
Live your best life in peace and security.
But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real?
With any set of views there are bound to be those more extreme than others. Clearly, Rowling was attempting to be more reasonable, and ended up being shouted down by those who took exception. The internet has always been a bit of a shouting match, but often that shouting takes place in a sealed room, with the sound not emitting to the wider world. The result is people end up shouting at one another, with not a single thing being changed as a result. I think this will be one such case.
For Rowling, this will have been an experience she won't forget. But she hasn't destroyed the left, c'mon, that was far more effectively managed by Jeremy Corbyn and his crew of ex student politicians turned Labour fruit-loops. Rowling wrote a ripping yarn and should be celebrated for it, she made a bundle, justly deserved. What she thinks about a subject, well, debate her on it if she's willing to listen, if not, leave her alone. We are all entitled to a bit of peace and civility.
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/jk-rowling-cancelled-woke-outrage-mob-saying-biological-sex-real
"Rowling being cancelled is particularly ironic given that she has thrown her weight behind virtually every ludicrous ‘woke’ crusade in recent years, including by claiming that her character Hermione was black despite her being described as having a “white face” in the Harry Potter books."
What was Rowling's crime? Saying this in defense of Maya Forstater who lost her court case, brought by Forstater after losing her job for having alleged transphobic views:
Dress however you please.
Call yourself whatever you like.
Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you.
Live your best life in peace and security.
But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real?
With any set of views there are bound to be those more extreme than others. Clearly, Rowling was attempting to be more reasonable, and ended up being shouted down by those who took exception. The internet has always been a bit of a shouting match, but often that shouting takes place in a sealed room, with the sound not emitting to the wider world. The result is people end up shouting at one another, with not a single thing being changed as a result. I think this will be one such case.
For Rowling, this will have been an experience she won't forget. But she hasn't destroyed the left, c'mon, that was far more effectively managed by Jeremy Corbyn and his crew of ex student politicians turned Labour fruit-loops. Rowling wrote a ripping yarn and should be celebrated for it, she made a bundle, justly deserved. What she thinks about a subject, well, debate her on it if she's willing to listen, if not, leave her alone. We are all entitled to a bit of peace and civility.