When she isn’t writing fantasy novels about boy wizards, J.K. Rowling keeps busy slamming random Trump supporters on Twitter.
Early this week, the Harry Potter author found time to call a Trump supporter who denigrated her writing as a “lonely virgin,” a term intersectional feminists often use as an insult.
That’s weird, since the term itself is problematic according to feminists, who find that insulting anyone based on their gender or sexuality is an attack on women.
Women, presumably, are reduced to objects of conquest for men who want to prove their masculinity. The insult perpetuates what feminists refer to as the “Patriarchy.”
*sighs* Well, who knows? If I try harder, I might be reincarnated as a lonely virgin hiding behind a cartoon frog. pic.twitter.com/EbocdxfJ5o
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2017
Rowling has been vocal in voicing her opposition to President Trump – a position that has earned her the love and admiration of many Harry Potter readers (and watchers, let’s face it – most people skipped the books) and the ire of Trumpers.
The author’s politics and criticism of Trump’s recent Executive Orders got one Trump fan going by the nickname “Frogulus Pepe” to call her “Mrs. Shitty Writer.”
Rowling is well within her rights to respond to her detractors however she pleases.
Admittedly, her response is funny and arguably deserved given the anonymous Pepe’s remark – but her insult of choice goes against the core tenets of the ideology she publicly espouses.
Predictably, the insult was met with cheers from other feminists, who are celebrating her tweets on feminist publications and social media. One publication called her response “characteristically badass,” while going on to defend her use of the term.
Unless they're sublimating their frustration in alt-right politics, I wish every one of them fulfilment and happiness ❤️ https://t.co/aXAWaD87Ds
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 30, 2017
Stating that the Trump supporter is “sublimating their frustration” of being a lonely virgin is a poor assumption to make about anyone, and suggests that people whose politics you disagree with must be sexually frustrated.
Why else would anyone support Trump, if not for their romantic failures? They’d definitely be against him if they were getting laid.
It is an argument borne of emotion – and while it makes for good Twitter comedy, it’s illogical and not particularly compelling. If only we could laugh at all our enemies by assuming the health of their sex lives. Haha!
For a writer of her caliber, Rowling could’ve done a lot better.
Ian Miles Cheong is a journalist and outspoken media critic. You can reach him through social media at @stillgray on Twitter and on Facebook.
