Fantastic Beasts: The differences between MACUSA and Ministry of Magic

Warner Bros

So, there I am, watching Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them for maybe the tenth time? That’s…normal, right? When I realize there are massive differences between MACUSA and the Ministry of Magic.

First of all, I try to remind myself that we never particularly saw the Ministry of Magic because, in Harry Potter, we were following the adventures of a child, whereas here we’re following the adventures of a young adult. He has more freedom but has to abide by #TheMan. In Fantastic Beasts, MACUSA. The Magical Congress of the United States of America. Honestly, it’s so long I can’t even remember it.

Besides the wand permits, which seems like a gross breach of privacy, in my opinion, Newt mentions something that I find incredibly interesting.

This movie takes place in the twenties. There’s no Civil Rights movement yet. Which, I wouldn’t have even thought about until Newt says “you have some rather backwards laws about Wizards and non-Magical people. You say you can’t befriend them or even marry them.”

When I saw that, I was shocked that JK Rowling went there. Britain’s never been a perfect country, and while today that could signify many different types of marriages. But basically, it seemed to be a quip that Britain was further along than America at that point. Was it?

And that brings me to all these questions I have! Why were British Wizards further along socially than American Wizards? Was it because magic had a longer standing in Britain than in America? Did Magic get started in Europe?

The second small thing I saw in Fantastic Beasts that made me say “Go JK!” is the President. She’s a woman and a minority. When you’re a Wizard, I suppose small things like gender and color of skin don’t matter, because there are other things to worry about. But it was interesting to see that casting, especially when Fantastic Beasts aired so close after the Election in America. She couldn’t have known who was going to win, but I was very happy that it seems like parts of America’s Magical Society and Britain’s Magical Society are further along than us Muggles (I still refuse to say No-Maj.)

Next: Primark rolls out Harry Potter Christmas ornaments!

Maybe that’s the secret? Give everyone magic?