Harry Potter Mural Causes Possible Discourse at University of Wisconsin

A Harry Potter mural in a University of Wisconsin-La Crosse dorm came under fire when a student complained that it promotes an undesirable power structure.

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As the Harry Potter series expanded, more often than not it was hailed as a beacon of tolerance and inclusion. The books taught fans the importance of not only friendship and love, but of social equality as well. We learned, along with Harry, that a handful of people can make a difference in a world that would rather turn the other cheek. As such, J.K. Rowling’s worldwide phenomenon made a lasting impact both in and outside of the narrative.

Although it’s been known to happen, it’s still not often that Harry Potter is the cause of controversy. However, one cropped up recently at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. A mural of Neville Longbottom painted in the Laux Residence Hall has been a cause of complaint for one student, who reported it to the school’s “Hate Response Team.” This team was established for students to voice their concerns about campus issues.

The mural itself (shown above) doesn’t appear offensive on the surface. It depicts actor Matthew Lewis’ physical transformation during his time as Neville Longbottom in the Potter films. A fellow Gryffindor to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, Neville began as a rather unimpressive specimen, but grew to be something of Harry’s second-in-command by the time we reached series’ end in Deathly Hallows. Indeed, many a meme has been born in regards to Lewis’ good looks. This seems to be the avenue the painters were playing upon, as they use the mural to suggest that you too can become a mega babe… as long as you stay in the Laux. dorms.

Harmless as it may seem, the unnamed student has nevertheless found fault with it. His complaint reads as follows:

"“[It] represents our ideal society and everything I am trying to fight against. It represents white power. Man power. Cis power. Able power. Class power. ECT [sic] ect. I am angry that I know the people who put this mural up, and I am angry [sic] because I know the people who let this mural be put up. Like I said earlier, maybe I am being a little sensitive, but it is how I feel. This represents, to me, our society, and I do not want it up on this wall. Why do we need a BEFORE and AFTER?”"

Image via Warner Bros.

With or without the student’s explanation, personally, I don’t see the fuss. The mural is more or less another joke about Lewis totally crushing puberty. Yes, Lewis himself is a white male, but I’m not sure that that has factored into this particular equation. As a white person myself, though, I can’t say that race doesn’t play into it, because I don’t know.

Then again, who am I–or anyone, for that matter–to tell someone they can’t find fault with something? Their reasoning may not make sense to me, but that doesn’t make their perspective invalid. This seems to be the mentality that the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s response team has adopted, even when the complaints may not be authentic. One member of the team, Amanda Goodenough, explained:

"“Maybe 1,000 people could look at it and say it’s fake, they’re trying to be funny, but I always try to reach out. Maybe it would be an opportunity to have a conversation. That’s what we need more of.”"

Better safe than sorry. Whether or not you take the mural’s complaint seriously, Goodenough makes a valid point. We have to listen and try to understand each other. Harry Potter certainly taught us that much. And as far as the real world goes, well… Sometimes tolerance requires a certain amount of patience as we weed through the (possibly) fake cries of injustice. Such trolling really doesn’t help any actual causes, but for those of us who want to keep fighting the good fight where it matters, it’s just another obstacle we have to overcome.

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The complaint was filed in April. So far, the creators of the mural have not responded, nor has a conclusion been reached. Meanwhile, the mural has stayed put.