Harry Potter Teaches White Supremacy, Even If It Doesn’t Mean To

A Messy Liberation podcast episode hosted by Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown.

What this episode is about

This episode examines how popular culture can reinforce white supremacy — even when it’s beloved. Through Harry Potter, fanfiction, and teaching practice, we explore how to engage art critically without ignoring harm.

This episode is for you if…

You believe that loving something doesn’t mean we can’t be critical of it — and you want a way to engage with art without compartmentalizing the harm caused by the artist.

About our guest

We’re joined by Professor Julian Wamble (he/him), Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University, whose class Harry Potter & the Politics of Social Identity uses the Wizarding World as a lens to examine white supremacy, systemic oppression, gender politics, and representation.

He’s also the host of the Critical Magic Theory podcast. TikTok: @profw · Instagram: @prof.jw

Why it matters

“Separating art from the artist” is often framed as a mature, reasonable take — but it can become a way to bypass accountability and ignore how stories shape our politics. This conversation offers a more honest option: keep what you love in your hands and interrogate what it reinforces.

Topics we discuss

• Teaching white supremacy using Harry Potter
• Hermione’s white saviorism and gendered politics
• Fanfiction as a tool for social change
• The erasure and racism around Lavender Brown
• The problem with redemption arcs reserved for male characters
• Draco Malfoy as a projection for reform fantasies
• Why “separating art from artist” is dangerous
• How fanfiction rewrites justice and inclusivity

Fanfic etiquette

• Fanfic is free — never buy or sell it (protect the space and respect copyright/IP)
• Follow authors’ rules for sharing and personal binding
• We don’t rate or review fanfic — it’s a gift
• If you don’t like something, DNF and move on
• Always leave a kudos or comment
• Don’t be an asshole

Resources mentioned

• James by Percival Everett
• Let the Dark In by SenLinYu
• The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy by speechwriter
• Manacled by SenLinYu (no longer available)
• Bloody, Slutty, and Pathetic by WhatMurdah
• Save Me Again by wolfstarlover20

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