Keeping Hogwarts Open: Harry Potter in Higher Education

Abstract

Abstract “Cancel culture” can be used in punitive ways to withdraw financial or intellectual support from those whose perspectives are deemed offensive. Some suggest disengaging from authors, artists, donors, institutional founders, and others whose histories and perspectives are problematic. However, what do student affairs professionals do about what students bring with them to college? Ignoring what they learned before college is contrary to student affairs work and missed opportunities for moral development and to practice critical thinking. J. K. Rowling is one example of a problematic author whose work has had tremendous influence on college students. Here we examine the tension between the Harry Potter series and the opinions of the series author.