J.K. Rowling

Holy God, bless J.K. Rowling. It is not a small thing that a generation of children have been raised on a narrative that names the seductive evils of bigotry, prejudice, and fascism. Rowling has helped shape the landscape of their moral imagination, and has populated it with characters that can be recognized in the real world. She has also inspired them to be like Harry Potter and, perhaps more importantly, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley, Luna Lovegood, and Colin Creevey. She has taught my children--and me--that sometimes it is right to fight what appears to be a losing battle, and that slowing down evil might be enough if we all take our turn. In these Dementor-ridden days, as we pass each other bits of chocolate to get by, I give thanks for the young people who have Dumbledore's Army coins in their pockets, and I pray for the author who put them there. Amen.