Interviewed: About Social Change

Three people interested in the way fandom impacts social change share their views with us for our special Social Change Issue.

Andrew Slack, founder of the HP Alliance

How did you get involved with StopBigMedia? Was this due to effort on your own part?

My friend, one of my best friends since Junior High introduced me to the concept of media reform. Growing up Jen became a Hermione for me in that she'd constantly be coaching me to focus and get back to work and when I was falling behind allowed me to take a glance (or two) at her work. I think Jen can take responsibility for at least one whole point of my cumulative GPA.

Anyway, as Jen introduced me to the Media Reform movement through her organization Free Press and one of their projects: "The Stop Big Media Coalition," I became very interested in the HPA working with "Stop Big Media" because it so closely paralleled Harry Potter. As we know media consolidation is a huge issue in Harry Potter and it's certainly a huge issue in our world.

Like the Daily Prophet - which continued to spout the popular idea that Muggleborns were second class citizens - the U.S. is made up of 33% racial and ethnic minorities yet only a little over 3% of television stations and around 7% of radio stations are owned by minorities. Furthermore, while 60% of our country is made up of women and minorities, they only make up 12% of who we see on the news. The other 88% is composed of white men. And like the Daily Prophet ignoring the very real issue of Voldemort's return, media conglomerates have cut over 80% of foreign news coverage over the last 20 years and replaced it with sports, weather and celebrity gossip. This is why in June 2005 there were 150 times as many stories about Michael Jackson as there were about the genocide in Darfur.

The reason all of this stuff happens is because the rules governing media in the US are stacked in favor of big conglomerates. So in short, we are in dire need of media reform. But the Chairman of the FCC, Kevin Martin, who I claim is under the Imperius Curse, is flying in the face of reason and justice to further consolidate an already overly consolidated media, and shut out independent media.

When I brought this up to Harry and the Potters, who not only co-founded the HP Alliance but are also on our Board, they were no stranger to this issue. Neither was the Wizard Rock community. The fact is that local music and independent music of all stripes has suffered tremendously because of media consolidation. When radio stations are taken over they inundate us with the same manufactured music until the handful of songs they play all day and all night are no longer hot, and then they move on. So just on that point alone, the Wizard Rock community which plays such a big part in the HPA was down for doing something big to protest what FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has been attempting to do. Together, myself, Harry and the Potters and The Whomping Willows decided that it made sense with the mission of the HPA and the mission of Wizard Rock to work with the Stop Big Media Coalition to show Kevin Martin not to mess with the values that we Harry Potter fans believe in.

When did you found the Alliance?

In the summer of 2005. I had had the idea for a few months and then when I met Paul and Joe DeGeorge of Harry and the Potters they ate it up and the rest is history.

What have been your main causes so far? Darfur and now StopBigMedia?

I'd say Darfur has been by far our number one issue. Then StopBigMedia. We've also been key in the production, writing, acting, etc. of the WaldeMart videos where we take on the issue of corporate accountability by challenging Wal-Mart's sucking the magic out of local communities. By this, we mean its overt strategy to bring down local businesses; its treatment of employees with a similar disdain to that which Wizards showed for house elves; like the Ministry, its widespread discrimination against minorities; and not to mention in the case of Wal-Mart: widespread discrimination against women, its sweat shop workers in foreign countries, and now, its dangerous products which it continues to sell to the public. You can check these videos out on YouTube or go to the web site WaldemartWatch.com. We've also worked on various other issues including the pro-democracy movement in Burma, breaking through what we call the "Muggle Mindset" around money and body image, stopping the Canadian baby seal hunt, ending global warming, calling for a Department of Peace, tapping into the need for more creativity in our personal lives, and so much more. Often we find it helpful to link to amazing organizations that already exist as we link the issues they are fighting for to Harry Potter.

Do you think fandom is a powerful enough force to effect social change?

In a world that is certainly facing dark and difficult times, Harry Potter has emerged as the most popular work of fiction in human history. It's a series that reminds us that differences between people are something to respect rather than fear, that being different and original trumps being addicted to arbitrary standards of normalcy (be that the standards held by Vernon Dursley or the standards held by Dolores Umbridge), and most of all that love can transform anything and everything. Millions of people have sought out this message through reading these books in a world that needs that message so desperately. And here we are as fans, sharing a rich and beautiful allegory that has transformed our lives, brought us together in a global community for our love for these books, and under a transformative message that we act from together. In doing so we can make a profound difference. So many of us pretend to be various characters in the book which is wonderful, but it's also useful to think about how we can take the book and put it into action. How we can truly allow these characters to sit on our shoulder, whisper into our ear, and remind us that we live in a world where our love can do so many things, and that even if those things are seemingly minor at first, that that little bit of love goes so far...I hope that Dumbledore would look at such action with pride and that somewhere out there Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter are smiling because they helped inspire such an amazing movement.

DJ Rae, aka wizard rock artist Chaos of the Phoenix and Co-host of AtriumCast

Which areas of fandom are you involved in, exactly?

Just about every single aspect I can get my little paws on, at least digitally. I was first introduced to Harry Potter fandom in general shortly after I read the [then 5-novel] series in Spring of 2004. I tried discussing my instantaneously explosive feelings about the HP story with my family, but none of them matched my enthusiasm for it. I thought they would be happy I'd finally become a "true believer" as initially I'd openly scoffed at each of them for being caught under the spell of HP. So I went online, typed in the words "Harry Potter theory discussions" and the first choice that appeared was Mugglenet. This was of course on Google. At once, I found people who were just as obsessed as I was about anything involving Harry Potter and the characters therein...their motivations, what we thought would happen in the last two books.

I had also written some short one-shot stories before I'd even looked online for the fandom...and my new chatmates quickly found out that I was an author. I didn't know they had such sites that one may put their fanfic on, free of charge--and I began posting on fanfiction.net. I am also a musician and singer, and whilst authoring my first HP-based enovel, I was also inspired for the lyrics to some original songs as well as parodies. Yet it would be a long and winding road before I discovered wizard rock. My first HP filk may have been recorded that same fall the year that I'd discovered Harry Potter, but I did not learn until early 2007 that wizard rock was a real actual genre. My love for wizard rock grew steadily and virtually exploded the month Deathly Hallows was released, as I was finally once again allowed unrestricted access of the internet [after not having it for a long time] and I wished with all my heart that I could become a part of it myself...so I did. Then a month and a half after launching my Chaos of the Phoenix wrock band, I became a podcaster. I believe that covers my current aspects of HP fandom. The list seems to be growing all the time!

What is it about wizard rock that interests you so much?

Aw...dear Merlin...where do I begin? : First of all, it combines 3 of my greatest loves and hobbies. Music, writing, and being unrepentantly geeky in the extreme. Not many people around me tolerate much less value that combination of character traits and talents. I can be myself, and be loved and respected for it--rather than merely put up with. Secondly, music is the best media for which people of the world can be reached. No other way of reaching out to the masses touches people as deeply--not news, not TV shows, nothing. It's because music, even passively, is just naturally part of the ambience of life in general. Wrock allows me the chance to tell the world that there are good things to be understood, to be discovered--and that I believe is what makes wizard rock so appealing. It goes beyond Harry Potter, reaching into realms of real life that mere text cannot touch. Music is something you can take with you wherever you roam. Even if you don't have a media player, you can still sing! Thirdly, wrock is at the heart and soul of the true anti-culture that is the best part of HP fandom. Most people will use it as a springboard to raise awareness for social change--or at least an excuse to reach out and dare to love everybody. Most of us intend to make Jo proud--no other fandom--even Star Wars or Star Trek--has touched so many lives in such a short time. And rather than fading off into the distance after book seven's release, it has continued to grow exponentially. There must be something to that, I'm tellin' ya.

So you feel that it does have the power to effect social change?

I have watched it happen. I am a personal witness to it. I have benefited from it. I don't even have to physically or monetarily be a part of these causes that the fandom represents--all I need to do is help pass the word on, and that makes me, and every single person out there an invaluable link in this endless chain. There are people out there that only YOU, the fan, can reach. If someone sees you supporting a cause, and therefore wants to uphold it and pass it along, you have done your part in making the world a better place to be.

What causes do you feel strongly about?

I've been actively supporting the fight in Darfur, the Burma campaign, Wrocking on the Borderline, Stop Big Media--the fandom version entitled "Rocking Out Against VoldeMedia", and yours and Jess's Be-Awesome pledge.

Finally, can you give us some tips on who (or what) to look out for this year?

Quite soon, Potter Noyz is going to be releasing some things in the awesome year to come...so be sure to watch out for that. Also keep an eye out for Ollivander, Chasing Quaffles, Witherwings, and Celestina Moldubec Wardbeck.

Jess, Minister of Awesome and leader of the Wrockstock '08 Invasion

When did you get into fandom?

Well, I've been a fan of the Harry Potter books since the first one was released. I visited a few websites etc and discussed the books and films with other fans, on various forums and groups, but wasn't really heavily involved in the fandom until establishing the Ministry.

Why did you start the Ministry of Awesome?

Originally, it was part of an inside joke from Wrockstock. People suggested an all wrock island or commune would be a really fun place to live, and so I established the virtual version of it. Then I thought I may as well use the Ministry to actually DO something, and so decided to feature a different band each day, so that people hear about bands they may not have heard about otherwise.

So you're a big fan of wizard rock then?

Definitely!

What is it about wizard rock that you like so much?

Well, of course I'm a big Harry Potter fan, and so originally checked out Harry and the Potters because of their obvious link to the world of Harry Potter. I was surprised by what I found - a whole community, which is filled with talented and generous people. Wizard Rock is unlike anything else really. It's more about having fun, making friends and caring than anything else. As the famous wrock quote goes "The Weapon We Have Is Love" and so many people in the wrock community represent that.

Do you think the sense of community is a reason why so many people love this fandom?

I'd say it's definitely a part of it. We all love Harry Potter, and so we already have that in common, but once you begin to explore the fandom you find it seems to go deeper than that. People accept you for who you are, and what you want to be. Everyone is always there for one another, and it becomes like an extended family in a way. The people in the Wizard Rock community are always willing to offer help and advice, and support when it is needed. I've certainly found this to be the case with the Ministry of Awesome - there are always people willing to help me out with things.

Do you have a favourite wizard rock song?

It's really hard to narrow it down to one. There are so many amazing artists and so many fantastic songs that each represent different things to me. My favourite song varies depending on my mood.

Would you ever try to choose an anthem for the Ministry?

I did try in the beginning - it was impossible! That was part of how promoting different bands came about, so that the profile song was changed on a regular basis in order to represent as much wizard rock as possible! The Ministry DOES actually have an anthem of sorts now, Greg Gower (Hogwarts Trainwreck) wrote a National Anthem especially for the Island of Awesome (which is where the Ministry of Awesome is based)!

So do you have big plans for the Ministry of Awesome?

Other than promoting 365 bands you mean? ;-) In fact, I do. February will officially be Be Awesome Month and at the moment I'm working hard trying to spread the word about that.

Could you describe what Be Awesome Month is all about?

Be Awesome Month is basically about how the little things can make a big difference. We've pledged to do one good deed a day throughout the month of February, no matter how small - it could literally be as simple as holding open a door for someone else, or dropping loose change into a charity box at the supermarket, and we ask that people join us in doing this. On February 29th, I thought it would be good if people used some of that extra day to do something extra-awesome. It needn't be a massive thing, acts such as donating old clothes to a homeless shelter, or donating some of your time somewhere that needs volunteers, are small things which can make a HUGE difference to someone else out there. If EVERYONE got involved in Be Awesome, all these small things people are doing for each other would mount up, and make the world a noticeably more awesome place.

Reviewed: Rocking Out Against Voldemedia