Chinese Scottish actor Katie Leung is winning praises on Twitter for her response regarding the “racist” choice of her character’s name in the “Harry Potter” series.
Leung, who played Cho Chang in Warner Bros.’ movie adaptation — the only Asian character to ever share the spotlight with the Boy-Who-Lived — broke her silence over the weekend as author J.K. Rowling faced a new wave of backlash for “anti-trans” tweets.
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Some fans have reportedly speculated for years that Rowling might be transphobic — an accusation that intensified in December after the 54-year-old author voiced support to a trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF) involved in a precedent-setting court case.
On Saturday, she sparked outrage once again after posing a “question” in response to an opinion article titled “Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.”
‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?
Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate https://t.co/cVpZxG7gaA
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
“‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people,” Rowling noted. “Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
The tweet, which some interpreted as a dismissal of trans women, is the first in a series in which the author defended the “reality” of “sex.” This led to a number of users accusing her of transphobia, and tangentially, of racism for naming an Asian character “Cho Chang.”
Leung apparently took notice of tweets calling out Rowling for her character. However, instead of addressing the matter, the 32-year-old actor used the opportunity to express her support as an Asian for Black Lives — particularly for Black trans women.
“So, you want my thoughts on Cho Chang? Okay, here goes,” Leung started a thread, which consisted solely of links to organizations helping Black trans charities.
So, you want my thoughts on Cho Chang? Okay, here goes…(thread)
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
Leung ended the thread with the hashtag #AsiansForBlackLives.
— Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) June 7, 2020
For opposing both racism and transphobia in just a few words, Leung unsurprisingly received praise from many users.
“Katie really went ‘Avada Kedavra’ on racism and transphobia,” wrote “The Umbrella Academy” star Justin H. Min, referencing the death spell from “Harry Potter.”
katie really went avada kedavra on racism and transphobia.
— Justin H. Min (@justinhmin) June 7, 2020
Others have hailed her a “queen,” with one user crowning her Ravenclaw’s Diadem:
You dropped this, queen. pic.twitter.com/SQaLDmWT1O
— Endika ➐ (@JoIdencolfil) June 7, 2020
QUEEN!!!!!
— Georgie Stone OAM (@georgiestone16) June 7, 2020
The queen herself has spoken 🙌🏻
— Mot (@motterss) June 7, 2020
QUEEN
— jeeno (@jeenonamit) June 7, 2020
We stan such an empowering queen! 🙌
— ✨je suis “loser”✨ (@holisticloser26) June 7, 2020
WE STAN A QUEEN WHO PUTS THE DISCOURSE BACK ON TRACK. FOCUS, PEOPLE!
— Vaccine Magalona (@jm_mayhem) June 7, 2020
✊🏾 Katie – sista from another mother! Bringing the focus back ❤️ #AsiansForBlackLives #BlackLivesMatter #chochang
— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) June 7, 2020
— Mara “Get Rid of the Nazis” Wilson (@MaraWilson) June 7, 2020
THIS is being an ally 🏳️🌈❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/kHDomCKjcd
— Victoria Evans (@WhovianMummah) June 7, 2020
Did she- she she really cancelled j k rowling without even talking about her?
That’s such a Ravenclaw thing to do! Cho Chang would be proud!!— 🖤⚡ (@hiddleslynch) June 7, 2020
Meanwhile, some users have also compared Rowling to “Percy Jackson” author Rick Riordan, who happens to be a vocal supporter of trans rights.
While JK Rowling is trending on Twitter I’d like to take the time to mention how Percy Jackson is a better series and Rick Riordan isn’t a transphobe. pic.twitter.com/HGBwuBMfWr
— Reuben Foran (@ReubenForan2016) June 6, 2020
rick riordan>>>>>>>>jk rowling pic.twitter.com/oOLB4hG0cm
— cooperissa (@celestialcolfer) June 6, 2020
Rick Riordan is an absolute Chad, and the LGBT ally that JK Rowling pretends to be. pic.twitter.com/fWa2ATuyu8
— Devil May Carl (@LonelyCardShark) June 7, 2020
The virgin JK Rowling vs. the Chad Rick Riordan pic.twitter.com/kfQEqLcDfe
— Crystal Paplinskie⁷ (@plantblogging) June 7, 2020
Society if people read Rick Riordan and stopped giving a shit about JK Rowling pic.twitter.com/sfQPOd9aGT
— Punished Tony Soprano (@TelFromHell) June 6, 2020
Feature Images via @_katieleung_ (left) and S.macken6 (right; CC BY-SA 4.0)
