So, lately some Death Eaters have been in the news asking us to keep it civil.

[Umbridge says, “I’m sure we’re all going to be very good friends.]

I have a lot of questions about the political implications of civility, so I decided to interview two of the most accomplished activists in the wizarding world, Fred and George Weasley.

[Fred and George grin]

Fred and George, do you think a polite conversation is going to stop ICE raids?

[Fred rolls his eyes and says, “That’s likely.]

How to you feel about Nancy Pelosi’s criticism of Maxine Waters’ calls for protests against Trump officials?

[Fred says, “Come again?”]

Seriously, Pelosi told Waters, a Black woman who survived Jim Crow, to be more polite because that’s what will make social change.

[George shakes his head.  Text reads #JUDGING YOU]

Yeah, people are saying that we should deal with babies locked up in cages, threats to voting rights, increased income inequality, the Muslim travel ban, a growing prison system, and daily police violence by being nice.

[Fred and George yell “THAT’S RUBBISH!”]

What’s your opinion of Maxine Waters’ idea that we should confront Trump officials whenever and wherever we see them?

[Fred and George say, “Wicked.”]

What do you think about activists who have broken injust laws and raised their voices, even when people criticized them for being rude?

[George says, “We owe them so much.” Fred nods.]

And what are you personally doing in response to Death Eater-In-Chief Donald Trump’s immigration policies?

[Fred and George say, “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”]

So, you’re engaging in direct action?  Trying to stop injustices as they happen?

[Fred and George wink rakishly.]

Have you heard about the national day of action against immigrant detention on June 30th?  There will be demonstrations all over the United States.

[Fred says to George, “Wanna go?”]

What do you want to say to everyone who has been speaking and acting against Trump’s immigration policies and other hateful actions? 

[Two images of Fred and George clapping and cheering]

In closing, is being polite ever more important than standing up for justice?

[Fred and George say, “Never.”]

Last, what do you hope will happen to Trump officials and anyone else who colludes with them?

[Umbridge runs from Fred and George’s fireworks]

[Fred and George fly on brooms through their fireworks and high-five.]

Me too, boys.  Thanks for your time!

Defense Against the Orange Arts in a Harry Potter-themed activist How-To series. Join me in the Room of Recruitment for a practical lesson in fighting fascism, This week, how to work with the media.

My name is Joy Ellison and I’m the creator of the “Defense Against the Orange Arts” video series and the “Granger Watch” podcast.  I make Harry Potter-themed content that helps us understand and fight back against fascism and organized white supremacy. 

This is a very important moment to talk about white supremacy.  Here are three important lessons about organized hate movements that we can learn from Harry Potter.

 

[Image description: Draco say “My father will hear about this!”]

1. Hatred doesn’t always look evil. Take the Malfoys.  Draco was a jerk, for sure, but he wasn’t a cartoon version of an evil character.  His father was a respectable, wealthy man with a lot of influence in the wizarding world.  People treated the Malfoys like they weren’t the type of people to get involved with Death Eaters  — and that was one of the reasons they became so dangerous.  Today, most white supremacists don’t “look” racist.  Furthermore, all white people benefit from racism and are complicit in perpetuating it.  We need to start taking seriously our complicity and retire the notion that only “bad people” can be racist.[Image Description: Peter Pettigrew cowers]
2. Just because the fascists aren’t competent doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous.   A lot of Voldemort’s followers weren’t gifted wizards.  Peter Pettigrew certainly wasn’t, but that didn’t stop him from helping to bring Voldemort back into power.  Today’s white power movement is full of people who are easy to make fun of.  Humor can be a potent tool against hatred, but we shouldn’t kid ourselves.  Just because these alt-Death Eaters aren’t very clever doesn’t mean we can move aside and let them continue recruiting and rallying.
3. We ignore fascism and white supremacy at our peril.  Just like Cornelius Fudge, a lot of white people don’t want to believe that things are really this bad, but the communities who are the most impacted by hate movements are telling us that it’s been bad for centuries.  Voldemort isn’t just back – he never left.  It’s past time to do something.

One of the most important things white people, like me, can do to combat white supremacy is give our money and resources to the people of color who are leading the fight.  If you’re a Harry Potter fan or just someone who cares about justice, find a local racial justice organization and donate your time and galleons.