Cho Chang 'Harry Potter' Actress Responds to JK Rowling Criticism

May 2024 · 3 minute read

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Katie Leung, the actress who played Cho Chang in the "Harry Potter" film series, has responded to recent criticism of JK Rowling, which was initially sparked by the author's comments about trans people.

On June 6, the Rowling shared an article on Twitter with a headline that used the phrase "people who menstruate."

She tweeted: "'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"

—J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

Her tweet received plenty of criticism, and one user pointed out that "women are not defined by their periods."

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Rowling then doubled down on her position by posting a thread of tweets, writing that while she does "know and love trans people," "erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives."

She wrote: "It isn't hate to speak the truth."

—J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020

"I respect every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them," Rowling tweeted. "I'd march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it's hateful to say so."

Rowling's second round of comments received a considerable amount of backlash, with celebrities inlcuding Sarah Paulson and Jonathan Van Ness criticizing her words.

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The conversation then led people to discuss other instances where Rowling's work has been deemed "problematic."

A number of people called her out for the "Harry Potter" character of Cho Chang, whose name was labelled "lazy" and "racist," with @kimmythepooh calling it "the name equivalent of ching Chong."

—Kimmy The Pooh (@kimmythepooh) June 7, 2020

Another Twitter user said the name "speaks for itself" when the "Harry Potter" world is full of "interesting" names like Nymphadora Tonks.

—Aprilyn Cunanan 🐑 (@aprilynacunanan) June 6, 2020

 

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Meanwhile, @angryasianman wrote: "Over 20 years after she was introduced in 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,' people are expressing irritation that JK Rowling lazily named her only East Asian character Cho F------ Chang. Yes, we've been holding on to this one for a long time."

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—Angry Asian Man (@angryasianman) June 7, 2020

Addressing the issue, on Sunday Leung tweeted: "So, you want my thoughts on Cho Chang? Okay, here goes...(thread)."

—Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020

She then used her platform to post links to charities and initiatives accepting donations to support black trans lives.

—Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020

 

Leung posted links to Go Fund Me's Homeless Black Trans Women fund, Change.org's more protection for black trans women UK, UK Black Pride, and a Vice article listing places to donate in support of black trans people.

She finished the thread with a tweet that read: "#AsiansForBlackLives."

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—Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020

This is not the first time Rowling has been criticized for seemingly transphobic comments.

Last year, the author came under fire after she defended a UK-based tax expert who made transphobic comments and was terminated from her job due to her statements.

In March 2018, she liked a tweet that referred to trans women as "men in dress," Them previously reported.

And, in 2017, Rowling liked another tweet that promoted a transphobic Medium article.

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