A few days ago, Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling announced on her website “Pottermore” the location of other “wizarding schools” around the world, with locations in Africa, Brazil, North America and Japan:
We’re delighted to share our wizarding schools map with you: https://t.co/nAdwmEn9Yn #HarryPotter pic.twitter.com/e1rrSSvCCi
— Wizarding World (@wizardingworld) January 30, 2016
But it’s the way she phrased it in the announcement that has social justice warriors up in arms. The schools in Brazil and Japan are described as part of the country in which they are located (the exact location of the North American school is still a mystery). With the school that’s actually in Uganda, it’s just referred to as in Africa, the continent:
Get ready to discover Uagadou, #Africa’s own school of wizardry: https://t.co/E2NcyG1q9E pic.twitter.com/62CVZMBXLS
— Wizarding World (@wizardingworld) January 30, 2016
The outcry was swift:
@jk_rowling I LOVE the pieces on wizarding schools but wish Uagadou's location had been specific & Africa had not been treatd like a country
— Amanda Seales ?? (@amandaseales) January 30, 2016
@jk_rowling Funny:Hogwarts is in Scotland, Ilvermorny-US, Castelobruxo-Bra & Mahoutokoro-Jap;yet Uagadou is in "Africa"!#africaisnotacountry
— Faraz Rojid (@frojid) January 30, 2016
Which country in Africa? It's a pretty big continent. https://t.co/BYoRLflDct
— Tina Gurney (@puppetfool) January 30, 2016
JK Rowling reveals new wizarding schools in Japan, Brazil, and…Africa #OneOfTheseThingsIsNotLikeTheOther https://t.co/cQ7gb9phf0
— Daniel José Older (@djolder) January 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/Halfrican_One/status/693992738862317568
https://twitter.com/Halfrican_One/status/693990921323548679
Can you be a bit more specific @jk_rowling The newly revealed wizard schools are in Japan, Brazil, the US and "Africa". #Africaisnotacountry
— faranaaz (@faranaaz) January 30, 2016
J.K. Rowling herself even jumped in and seemed to agree that she was at fault:
@naunihalpublic Uagadou takes students from all over Africa, but it is in Uganda. #IAgreePottermoreShouldSayThatWillChangeDescription
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2016
But as of the writing of this post, the wording has yet to be changed:
FWIW, Canadians are mad, too, that they were left out, but there’s still hope:
https://twitter.com/staceycoourt/status/693520569430462464
Keep watching @Pottermore… https://t.co/alhGQiOOrZ
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2016
Australians, too:
@pottermore @jk_rowling where do aussie wizards go? ⚡️??⚡️
— dan debuf (@dandebuf) January 30, 2016
That information will be revealed in due course! https://t.co/p2DcIkfBCX
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2016
It seems that if you complain to J.K. Rowling she’ll add a wizardry school wherever you want.
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