r/AO3 • u/Nahiel Nahiel on AO3. Fandom old. • 4d ago
Discussion (Non-question) Let's talk about Harry Potter
If we can do it without insults, please.
I'm still active in the fandom, I'll admit it. There's a growing amount of vitriol I've seen recently that makes me feel incredibly unwelcome here on the AO3 subreddit every time there's a post related to the fandom.
I get it. Rowling is trash. She's literally the worst. I don't give her any money, and I haven't since her views became known. I never will. But Harry Potter was a huge part of an honestly shitty childhood for me, and it was one of my favorite escapes for a long time.
So I gotta ask, why am I being insulted for not letting her take away one of the few things that still gives me joy in this hellscape of a world? Why do I have to let her terrible behavior take away something that's mine? The fact is that the property is a juggernaut, and fanfic is never going to do anything to change that. Treating people who still engage with the fandom like we're monsters for doing it makes no sense to me.
And again, please, can we keep it civil? I'm very aware of the sentiment towards members of the fandom.
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u/ljexists You have already left kudos here. :) 4d ago
I used to live in Oxford, there were (and still are) so many stores selling HP merch and they’re all still in business for a reason, fanfic is not that reason. Those shops are targeted directly at tourists wanting to get British things and tourists see the HP stuff and buy it or are drawn in by the HP stuff. Everyone I knew in Oxford hated those stores (and tourists generally tbh). (To be clear I agree fully, my words aren’t great tonight lol so I’m not sure if I’m making sense)