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J.K. Rowling reveals frustration with those who disapprove of black Hermione

J.K. Rowling has shown a tremendous amount of support for Noma Dumezweni’s casting as Hermione in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. But she is extremely frustrated by those who have vocalized their disapproval of Hermione being played by a black actress.

While the majority of fans have shown positive support of the casting, others have not.

“With my experience of social media, I thought that idiots were going to idiot, but what can you say? That’s the way the world is. Noma was chosen because she was the best actress for the job,” said Rowling. As she continued the interview, she used some colorful vocabulary to describe the people who told her that “because Hermione ‘turned white’ – that is, lost color from her face after a shock – that she must be a white woman, which I have a great deal of difficulty with. But I decided not to get too agitated about it and simply state quite firmly that Hermione can be a black woman with my absolute blessing and enthusiasm.”

John Tiffany, the director of Cursed Child, isn’t so much angry as he is shocked by the controversy.

“…what shocked me was the way people couldn’t visualize a non-white person as the hero of a story. It’s therefore brilliant that this has happened,” said Tiffany.

To read Rowling’s full interview, head on over to The Guardian.

Parts 1 and 2 of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child start previewing on Tuesday and Thursday respectively at the Palace theatre, London. The show officially opens July 30th!

 

Source: theguardian.com

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