Black Hermione actress Noma Dumezweni backs, Rowling but faces backlash already. .

[Lamahaha]

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-8416011/Rupert-Grint-wades-J-K-Rowling-transphobia-row-alongside-former-Harry-Potter-stars.html

This DM article has a headline about Rupert Grint jumping on the anti-JK bandwaggon, but it actually leads with this:

"The actress who played Hermione Granger in the West End spin off of the Harry Potter book series backed J.K. Rowling's response to the 'transphobia' row before deleting her tweet amid intense backlash.

It comes as Rupert Grint - who is best known for playing Ron Weasley in the film series based on Rowling's books - became the latest in a swathe of actors to speak out against the acclaimed author.

Noma Dumezweni,, 50, was cast as Hermione when the stage production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play was first announced.
On Wednesday, Noma wrote on Twitter: *'I just took down my tweet in support of reading the article from Jo.

'I’m confused. I may not understand enough as I’m not in a lot of people’s shoes. I need to understand* why it’s worse that she wrote that essay, when people are asking her to explain what she means.'

She later explained: 'I was applauding what I saw as openness, then I felt the flood arrive in such quick time that I thought, oh s*.

'I need to reread. I felt educated on HER POINT OF VIEW. Which is what I ask people to do. Educate themselves - yet I have to do SO much more on the Trans side.' "

She goes on to talk about how she is trying so hard to understand the trans side of things. All well and good. But it's depressing that "understanding the trans side" might have to mean retracting on her initial response to JK. I hope she doesn't retract. I hope that her attempt to understand teaches her that there really is no middle ground at the moment.
She sounds as if she is new to all this, and like so many well-meaning people, this usually means that "be kind" is the first reaction.

Why is the demand for kindness only in one direction?

Noma seems like a smart woman and I'm sure she will indeed go and 'educate herself', just like Martina Navratilova, Alison Moyet and JK Rowling herself did

I suppose it could come down to whether or not she still needs to make a living or whether or not she is ready to retire.

BLM!

Right up until they butt up against the most marginalised of all - white men IDing as a woman.

Then they can get to back of the queue.

JKR stood up for her when she was subjected to racist abuse for being cast as Hermione. Shame she couldn’t return the favour.

JKR stood up for her when she was subjected to racist abuse for being cast as Hermione. Shame she couldn’t return the favour

In today’s climate there was no risk to JKR in publicly calling out racism. This actress faces losing her career if trans activists decide to campaign against her. It’s not the same thing.

Burn any witch who dares disagree.

I can’t find it in me to decry what she has done. All of the entertainment industry has been captured so her career (and her sanity) could be put in jeopardy. That’s the reason why those other HP weasels have spoken out. But the mob will come for them eventually, it’s as plain as day.

Then they will be coming for us. Not just dissenting feminists but everyone. The BLM is the focus now but we’ll all be invited to our own Neo-Maoist Struggle Sessions ere long. I’m just waiting for the knock on the door.

As to what happened to McCarthy? We know and he was wearing ladies’ frilly knickers all the while

I can’t find it in me to decry what she has done. All of the entertainment industry has been captured so her career (and her sanity) could be put in jeopardy. That’s the reason why those other HP weasels have spoken out. But the mob will come for them eventually, it’s as plain as day.

It's also the reason so few celebrities support her publicly. It's dangerous career-wise.
But my faith is now that "if they aren't against her (publicly) whey're with her.'

Is there an agent's contact for her? I'd like her to know that even though I understand her step back I appreciate her initial support of JKR. I imagine it's a very lonely and intimidating place for her right now, it's what the TRAs want after all.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/87da34e6-acd5-11ea-adef-7962e28cd764?shareToken=cce8a6d70275d9812799a3c51b561fe3

Times article on it.

@ItsLateHumpty

BLM!

Right up until they butt up against the most marginalised of all - white men IDing as a woman.

Then they can get to back of the queue.

Excellent point. Sadly.

Why do so many people back down before these abusive loons? Why not just log off and let it blow over.

It’s horrible getting abused online but you can log off, instead of engaging with the abuse. It’s much better for your mental health (speaking from experience).

This is a general comment, not specifically towards Noma - who strikes me as very intelligent and articulate, and I hope she is okay.

The Times have obviously become bored of Debbie Hayton being their go-to male for opinion on such matters, so they’ve asked someone else:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/2ef35690-ad6c-11ea-82a8-65abc6fe2bb6?shareToken=29595ca0ee3a75ebde6d9117384fd1f8

Oops wrong thread

VERY interesting:

The criticism appears to be a generational divide. Apart from Dumezweni, none of the actors who retorted to Rowling’s comments has been over the age of 38.

Agents acting for Emma Thompson, 61, and Robbie Coltrane, 70, who appeared in the Harry Potter films, said they were unavailable. There was no response from the agents of other stars including Maggie Smith, 85, Gary Oldman, 62, and Julie Walters, 70.

Emma Thompson signed that letter last year decrying trans exclusion”

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3522766-Some-feminists-Emma-Thompson-amongst-them-sign-letter-decrying-trans-exclusionary-responses-to-the-GRA

Why do so many people back down before these abusive loons? Why not just log off and let it blow over

Does it blow over though? JKR logged off twitter for a couple of months after her Maya tweet. As soon as she comes back to promote her book she is stalked by trolls. These things do not just go away. Once you are named a terf your character is stained for ever. Even JK with all her wealth and connections will have her ability to work affected. Every thing she does now will be overshadowed by controversy.

JKR was obviously ready to engage herself in this debate and she has clearly been mulling it over for some time. Other people will need their own periods of reflection and shouldn’t have to throw their own livelihoods away without carefully thinking on it first.

The generational divide is probably based on how much they can risk it damaging their career.

Watched Trumbo (currently on iPlayer) last night and was reminded once again of the parallels with the McCarthy era. Obviously this isn't government sanctioned (at least not in England) but there are some very powerful men behind it.

So Black Lives Matter but black women's opinions can still be shouted down.

Agree it's not identical to McCartheyism but many parallels. Plus the performing arts must be on their knees at the moment - no theatre, and I assume no films or TV drama being made (unless at home). This is def not a good time to get denounced.

I can understand Noma not wanting to limit her future career prospects or subject herself to more abuse on Twitter

I'm grateful that she said what she said.

Actors have no idea when they will be able to work again, and you don't get repeat royalties from a live performance.