Tom Felton shows us how not to answer questions about J.K. Rowling
It is a point of privilege to act as if what J.K. Rowling says and does with her money doesn’t effect you when you’re working on a project of hers. That’s what Tom Felton has and he used it while on the red carpet for the Tony Awards.
Felton is gearing up to take to Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. He’s reprising his role as Draco Malfoy in the production and as part of the promotion, he was asked to present an award at this year’s Tony Awards. You know, Broadway’s biggest night where non-binary performers took home the Tony as well as Jak Malone using his speech to advocate for trans rights? That Tony Awards!
On the red carpet, Felton was asked about Rowling’s “controversial” statements. The statements in question are her funding bills and organization that harm the trans community by either attempting to take away their rights or continuing to spread hatred.
“Does the Twitterverse controversy around J.K. Rowling’s views impact you at all?” Felton was asked on the carpet and there is a lot wrong with that statement. It isn’t a “Twitterverse controversy.” Those angry with Rowling are trans rights activists, the trans community, and allies speaking against the harm she is causing to the trans community.
Recently, she said she would donate the money she made from the show to the same organization that just got a bill passed in the UK that is going to end up hurting trans men and women and their rights. But Felton’s response to the question was just as disappointing as the question itself.
“I can’t say it [impacts me], I’m not really that attuned to it,” he said. That’s a very privileged statement. You’re not “attuned” to it? It has literally become Rowling’s entire personality and yet somehow you’re not paying attention to what she’s doing with her words, platform, and money? He went on to basically praise Rowling for the franchise. “I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. She’s responsible for that, so I’m incredibly grateful.”
This is what you shouldn’t do when asking about J.K. Rowling
If you want to star in a Harry Potter project, you have to unfortunately field these questions. You can take it up with Rowling. She’s the one who has made it her business to constantly attack trans people for simply existing. So if anything, you should be aware of what is going on and know that people will want to know how you can be part of a Harry Potter franchise.
If you want the money, say that! I’d respect you more if you just openly said “I wanted money and to work and I will be using the platform it gives me to support trans lives.” Instead, we have creatives like Felton who are benefiting from Rowling’s world and remaining silent or on her side over her attack on the trans community.
Pretending like what Rowling does with her platform and money doesn’t effect the Harry Potter franchise is foolish and it is time for Tom Felton to educate himself on it.
(featured image: Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
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