Revised Column about Harry Potter

HED: Harry Potter Mania


DEK: J.K. Rowling has turned our world upside down.

BYLINE: Jamie York

WORDCOUNT: 482

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The inspiration for this column came this weekend at a Harry Potter marathon with a bunch of friends. Unlike my friends, I have never read the books, only seen and loved the movies. My mom would not let me read them as a kid because of the witchcraft. Apparently, I was the only kid who listened to her mother. Anyway, we are watching the first movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, when Hedwig, Harry’s owl, came on the screen. Everyone in the room in unison says “Poor Hedwig.” Then they turn to me. I say nothing. My friend closest to me, Jim, says, “Oh yeah, you haven’t read the books. You’re so lost.” The whole room begins to chuckle.

I don’t find it funny because this is not the first offense. Every day that the Harry Potter premiere gets closer, the more they taunt me. They have little inside jokes about the books that they love to rub in my face. Jim once told me that they were the best books ever and I am missing out. Now, I am not saying all Harry Potter fans are this cruel; just some fans. It astonishes me that they make fun of me for not having read the holy book series. When did reading become cool?

Reading wasn’t always cool. I remember being called a nerd for always having a book on hand. Now I am being made fun of for not reading. It doesn’t stop there, though. Harry Potter has created a mania. My friends have wands and know several spells. They started a club called The Circle of Wands. They were sorted into their houses, chose their wands, and even decided what their patronus animals would be. I personally would pick a howler monkey. Even though this club seems a bit much, they have a waiting list of more than 60 people dying to get in.

All of this brings me to my point. When did the majority become nerdy? Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact people are actually reading, but the fan base has never been this huge for a book. The minority used to be the geeky kids, myself included, who loved books. I would live in my school’s library after school. Now, my friends and I are going four hours early to get a good seat for the midnight premiere this Thursday. Furthermore, fans will be dressed in their Harry Potter apparel to show their devotion. I will be wearing a muggle shirt which seems befitting. When did dressing up, other than at sporting events and Halloween, become the norm? J.K. Rowling has made being nerdy not just acceptable, but in.

All in all, the Harry Potter mania has defied the odds and become all the rage. I say that’s wonderful, but for the few of you who are like me, the taunted outsiders, hold your ticket high and wear your t-shirts proud. Remember, they are more likely to be disappointed than you are.