The only way to refute bad politics and bad ideas is to engage with them fully
Why I’m listening to The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
I’m aware that some people, including close friends of mine, are interpreting the title of this podcast as J.K. Rowling apologetics and, as such, they don’t want to support the podcast with their ears. I’m sympathetic to what I think the fear is: This podcast will create a narrative of sympathy for J.K. Rowling and her transphobic positions and then it will persuade people who are unsure what they believe about trans rights towards Rowling’s positions, and that it will bolster transphobic politics. They might be right, but I’m not sure we can yet know.
If trans people or close loved ones of trans people don’t feel like they can listen to this podcast because it’s too emotional for them, that makes sense to me. I’m not even remotely here to say that they should listen.
But I am not trans and my kids are not trans (that I know of) and so it’s not raw for me. I feel upset and worried about the well-being of trans people but I’m able to shut down my emotions to have an intellectual, emotionally regulated discussion about it.
So, why shouldn’t I listen?
