Accio Politics

We're back with the first episode we recorded after the new year started, and 2021 is certainly not pulling any punches in the political arena. With just the first week of 2021 under our belt, we've seen an attempted coup, this time by force (riots led by white supremacist groups, the proud boys, and Q conspiracy theorists at the Capitol incited by the lame-duck president). In this episode, we cover the politics of teach-ins, silence & knowledge, and coalition when it comes to Harry and his fellow Hogwarts students to build what becomes Dumbledore's Army during this chapter.

Patrons get access to our discussion on what would it look like if the character of Luna was gender-flipped in the series, and what the series would look like if the gender-flipping also extended to her father. To support this podcast and access bonus content, become a Patron at www.Patreon.com/acciopolitics

Helene, K. Alex, and special guest Aureo from the Speak Beasty podcast talk about chapter 17 of OotP, discuss the news of the week (including some news about the author of the series), debate over the politics of Hermione securing silence by magical means, consider if Molly really wanted to stop the trio from becoming politically involved, and much more.

Support this podcast by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/acciopolitics.

In this episode, Helene and Adri land on the same politic for the first time since the show format started leaving the politics of the chapter open! Before they discussed chapter 16 of OotP, "In the Hog's Head," they talked about the news of the week, which included presidential pardons and the last days of the Trump presidency. Skipping the Hogwarts Debate club shenanigans altogether, they talked about what actually makes a grassroots movement successful, wondering if the Death Eaters could be considered a grassroots movement.

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This episode's bonus segment is relevant to recent news: Adri and Helene scream into the void about the Wall Street Journal's editorial piece written by Joseph Epstein where he says Dr. Jill Biden should not use the honorific she worked hard to get. You know, because of the patriarchy.

This week, we finally get to chapter 15 of OotP, "The Hogwarts High Inquisitor," in which the Ministry passes middle of the night legislative action to give one of their own, Dolores Umbridge, oversight power for an independent educational institution: Hogwarts. Of course, we find this super problematic. Also problematic? The complex nature of reporting abuse, especially within systems that aren't the most survivor-friendly ones.

Support this podcast by becoming a Patron and get access to bonus content and physical rewards: www.patreon.com/acciopolitics

For this episode's Patreon-exclusive content, we talk about the implications of what it would look like had the character of Professor Snape been written as a woman and the rest of the characters had been gendered as canon and the implications of a female professor Snape (for both readers and other characters) if the entire cast had been gender-flipped. The patriarchy, as always, is a strong presence in our discussion.

Hello lovelies! The universe has once again conspired against us in recording our episode for chapter 15 of OOTP. Instead, we are releasing the Patreon-only Girl Who Lived: Draco/Darcy episode so your feed isn't quite so empty today. We want to know all your thoughts, so send us a virtual owl (an MP3 of your voice OR words are fine) us at [email protected], leave us a voice mail 915-996-1699, or get at us on social. You know the drill, we're @acciopolitics on twitter and instagram.

Today's episode isn't about a chapter, but a character (and some other topics of interest). Actor/Director/Producer Chris Rankin, who embodied the character of Percy Weasley in the film adaptation of the Harry Potter series, graciously joined us 19 years after the filming of Sorcerer's Stone. We get to the nitty-gritty of how Chris got into the Harry Potter series before being cast, Percy's potential internal motivations, whether Chris ever read fanfics, how he'd like Percy's life after the Battle of Hogwarts to look like, what Chris thinks Percy's career ambitions were, and current politics (of course).

Patrons get exclusive interview content with Chris, including whether he has a favorite non-canon ship, what it was like having his mom teach at his high school, and whether he is his own favorite Chris, in addition to an after-interview debrief between your hosts. Want that sweet exclusive content? Support this podcast at www.patreon.com/acciopolitics

Get early bird tickets to watch Chris Rankin play the Fairy Godfather to Cinderella this December from the comfort of your home at https://pantolive.com/

Email us at [email protected] or find us on social @acciopolitics (Twitter & Instagram).

In this episode, we talk about Percy's letter to Ron, the social pressures that the trio face (especially Harry), teenage crushes and the teenage mind, Percy's motivation and reasoning to embrace the Ministry's line of thinking rather than his own family's, and much more.

Support our podcast and get access to exclusive content for as little as $2/month by going to www.patreon.com/acciopolitics

Our Patron-exclusive segment is another installment in the Girl Who Lived series: we talk about the implication and effect of a gender-flipped Draco Malfoy (both if just that character was gender-flipped, and if the entire cast of characters was gender-flipped).

Let us know your thoughts! You can e-mail us at [email protected] or you can leave us a voice mail at our voice-mail only line at 915-996-1699. You can also DM us on social (@acciopolitics on twitter and instagram).

This week has been a very long year. We're exhausted. Anyhow, we talk about the 2020 presidential election (is it over yet? Are we there yet, mom and dad?) and talk about the horrifying chapter that is Detention with Dolores. Patrons get a bonus segment: The Elusive Latinx Vote. How do we talk about Latinx in the US and why can't the Democratic party reach some Latinx voters?

Support our show: www.patreon.com/acciopolitics