Joe Rogan survived his fight with Cancel Culture. Barely. Dave Chappelle did, too, and country superstar Morgan Wallen cobbled his career back together after one errant n-word.
Author J.K. Rowling’s fight with the authoritarian Left, though, shows no signs of letting up. In fact, it might be intensifying.
The superstar first came under fire in 2020 after comments she shared on social media enraged select trans activists. She questioned the use of the phrase, “people who menstruate” instead of saying, “women.”
Her follow-up explanation generated even more rage.
“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth,” she said.
Rowling, a Trump critic and political progressive, suddenly became Cancel Culture fodder despite her proclamation of love for the trans community. The attacks upon her have been relentless ever since. That doesn’t always happen when the woke acolytes are upset. Social justice warriors often move on to newer targets, content to find fresh victims.
Kevin Hart lost the Oscar hosting gig in 2018 for old jokes deemed homophobic, for example, but he hasn’t come under significant fire since then.
That isn’t the case with Rowling, and in a small way she has herself to blame.
Most celebrities self-censor following Cancel Culture broadsides. Others become “allies” for the cause du jour, using their social media perches to push progressive memes and talking points.
They’ve been re-educated, or they simply fear more blowback.
Rowling hasn’t backpedaled an inch. She doesn’t comment on trans issues Twitter on a weekly basis, like director Rob Reiner comments on Trump on a near-daily basis. Still, she often fights back when faced with personal assaults and refuses to apologize for her views.
In November 2021, she shredded trans activists who shared her home address on social media, acknowledging it put her life in danger given the hate many feel for her. She put the matter into perspective, saying she receives so many death threats she could “paper the house with them.”
“Perhaps – and I’m just throwing this out there – the best way to prove your movement isn’t a threat to women, is to stop stalking, harassing and threatening us.”
Bullies usually shrink away when the victim fights back. That’s not the case with Rowling’s detractors. The Cancel Culture forces haven’t forgiven or forgotten. And their pressure campaign continues.
In recent weeks, we’ve learned of a transgender artist who literally removed Rowling’s name from the books which earned her literary immortality — the “Harry Potter” franchise.
Toronto resident Laur Flom removed Rowling’s name not just from the cover of at least 30 “Potter” books, but excised her from the copyright page and titles, too. Flom resells the updated tomes for those triggered by the author’s name.
“The purpose of this project is to create a safe space for fans to find comfort in the books and critically engage with J.K. Rowling’s work,” Flom said.
The simple act of “liking” one of Rowling’s so-called problematic tweets can extend her Cancel Culture fight to new players. A “Star Wars” legend learned that personally.
Mark Hamill, AKA Luke Skywalker, merely liked a Rowling tweet clapping back at one of her many detractors.
“I’m more of a woman than JK Rowling will ever be,” a trans woman wrote. “Citation needed,” Rowling shot back, a message Hamill liked.
A Twitter storm engulfed the 71-year-old star, known for his socially progressive views, in short order. The actor quickly apologized with the approved verbiage.
“What I ‘liked’ about this exchange was someone speaking their truth to power. Twitter is, unfortunately, no place for nuance. It’s imperative I make this abundantly clear: I support human rights for EVERYONE, regardless of their gender identity, PERIOD,” Hamill tweeted.
Rowling often says she has the power, and wealth, to not only speak out but ensure her public safety, to the degree that it’s possible. Others who support her work in any fashion aren’t so fortunate.
Take Kara Lynne, a video game employee who lost her job after sharing a modicum of support for a Harry Potter-themed game. She shared her anticipation for the upcoming “Hogwarts Legacy” video game, which has no direct ties to Rowling beyond being set in the Harry Potter universe. That declaration sent woke activists scrambling to find other problematic opinions in her social media feeds.
It worked, as a seven-year-old tweet critical of transgender bathrooms by Lynne “resurfaced.”
Lynne was soon out of a job.
The mainstream media typically rallies behind celebrity victims, like Meghan Markle. Few outlets have rallied to Rowling’s side over the years. Instead, they often play down the death threats as well as attempts to surgically remove her name from Potter lore.
GamesRadar, for example, shared a Tweet calling Rowling’s words “harmful” to the trans community.
Rowling still has a few defenders willing to say as much in the public arena. Actor Brian Cox of “Succession” fame, for example, shared his support for a law allowing trans women to change their names legally. He also derided those who have attacked Rowling for her views, perhaps indirectly referencing “Harry Potter” alums Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe. Both have been highly critical of the woman who made them rich and famous.
“I don’t like the way she’s been treated, actually … I think she’s entitled to her opinion; she’s entitled to say what she feels,” Cox said. As a woman, she’s very much entitled to say what she feels about her own body, and there’s nobody better to say that, as a woman.”
Cox is outspoken on many subjects, including his distaste for Cancel Culture. So far, he hasn’t been forced to apologize, a la Hamill, for his views.
If more Rowling defenders do the same, the pressure facing the British author may finally ebb.
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at @HollywoodInToto.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.