J.K. Rowling profits from continued media exposure through the Harry Potter series

Indulging Rowling in the media circus brought on by her stance on transgender issues only serves to commodify and promote her platform. Many may not share her beliefs, but her voice is amplified due to the popularity of her books. Any response to her shines a light on a movement that may not have gained much attention otherwise.^[1] J.K. Rowling is one of the most affluent and prolific authors of this century, and as such, has been afforded many privileges, including access to a far-reaching platform. When she chooses to use that platform for hate and negative rhetoric, much of which has been disproved by scientific study, she shows the world that she can get away with almost anything due to her powerful status.^[2] An arbitrary “cancellation” of the author has proven to be ineffective in this circumstance. Rowling has gone on to publish a book that perpetuates harmful stereotypes about cross-dressing and trans people.^[3] She quite literally profits from the controversial stance she takes. As such, the only way to meaningfully counteract her controversial views is to stop buying and discussing her books on large platforms.^[4] This way, she cannot continue to profit off of them, and her cultural relevance is diminished.^[5] There are many other authors who write fantasy fiction and represent a much broader range of lived experiences and include genuine diversity in their works. We should be turning towards those authors in modern times, rather than clinging desperately to the outdated and bigoted ones.^[6]