The famous comedian Jon Stewart got into the topic of the presence of anti-Semitism within theHarry Potterfilms in a recent episode of his podcastThe Problem.Now, Stewart has gone on to set the record straight about his comments regarding author J.K. Rowling’s depiction of the goblins inHarry Potter.
The episode aired back in December, yet theHarry Potterconversation has since gone viral and the media has taken the story and twisted it - like it does best. Stewart shared insightful comments about his experience growing up as a young Jewish boy and seeingthe imagery inHarry Potterfor the first time, specifically in regards to the Gringotts Wizarding Bank goblins. He went on to express the profound connection he saw between old anti-Semitic cartoons and propaganda in relation to the way the goblins physically appeared on screen.
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This isn’t the first time thatRowling has been in the hot seatunder issues of queer/transphobia, racism, and of course anti-Semitism. Stewart directly compared the goblins to an anti-Semitic publication titledThe Protocols of the Elders of Zionthat originated from 1903. After the media made the entire conversation go viral, Stewart quickly jumped on camera to send a quick message of clarity via Twitter in regards to the remarks he made. He went on to say that the conversation was very harmless and anyone viewing the dialogue that took place would be able to see that clearly.
Stewart also went on record and stated on his Twitter, “Hi my name is Jon Stewart, I do not think that J.K. Rowling is anti-Semitic. I did not accuse her of being anti-Semitic. I do not think that theHarry Pottermovies are anti-Semitic. I really love theHarry Pottermovies, probably too much.” Stewart didn’t take back any of the comments he made, for he stands by them. However, the news media running a headline with accusations against Rowling and theentireHarry Potterfranchisebeing anti-Semitic blew the entire thing out of proportion.
People who come from marginalized communities deserve the right to express their views on subliminal messaging experienced through stereotypical or hateful forms of representation on screen. Stewart throughout this entire media disaster has showcased that cancel culture is not the means towards accountability or acknowledgment. People are allowed to express disdain without shattering and dismantling the entirety of whatever is being analyzed.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwartsis now available on HBO Max.
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