I just read an article in the NY Times that made me feel the following:

The United States of America is finally having an important debate where:

1- the strained debate on global warming, 2- the too often ignored debate on civilian protection, genocide, and poverty, AND 3- the often sensationalist debate around national security threats for the United States are suddenly interconnected:
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We here at the HP Alliance know that the Harry Potter Series is more than just a “fun” read, they make a statement and raise awareness on countless issues that pertain to the Muggle world we live in.  So beginning today we will be bringing to light, via the blog, HP fans who are inspired by the series to effect change in the world around them.

This letter was written to JK Rowling by a missionary who paid a visit to disabled children in Jamaica and was humbled by what he saw.  I’m in awe.

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Hey there all you crazy social activists, dreamers and HP fans! My name is Lisa Valdez and I’d like to tell you a bit about a project I’m going to be starting with the HPA. I’m a 21 (22 on Thursday, woohoo!) year old girl from Rhode Island, long time HP fan and, more recently, social activist. I currently live in Boston and I’m a worker-owner of a Fair Trade coffee, tea, and cocoa cooperative just south of the city called Equal Exchange. In my work I get to see first hand how the products we purchase in the US affect the lives of producers all over the world. You may have heard people saying that “the world has gotten smaller” and I’m here to tell you that it is absolutely true. Walk down the aisle of a grocery store and pick up any product you like. The ingredients listed will come from all over the world, from palm oil in Africa to sugar from the Dominican Republic. I get to see how our conventional system of trade marginalizes producers and benefits a very wealthy few in the global West, but also how Fair Trade can hugely benefit producers all over the world. I’ve learned that everything in this world is connected, and I’m here to talk trade and Harry Potter, two of my favorite topics that might not seem too closely related at first glance.

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When I read yesterday that we’re getting closer to a vaccine for malaria, I thought “that’s pretty cool.” But then I thought about it: I don’t think there are words to describe how incredible a vaccine for malaria would be. Malaria is the fourth leading cause in the death of children under five. A vaccine that’s 50-65% effective would over the course of just a couple of years save the lives of millions of children. It would also allow poverty stricken nations vast money and resources that could go toward protecting and empowering their citizens and infrastructure in thousands of other ways.

It’s not there yet, but it’s close. I really don’t think there’s any way to say how exciting this is except that sometimes scientists and doctors are our modern day Wizards and we can all be so grateful for their magic.

Hey everyone! Matt from The Whomping Willows here. The following blog pertains to a brand new chapter of the Harry Potter Alliance called GRAWP (Guitar-wielding Ragamuffins Against Worldwide Poverty). I’ve started this chapter along with fellow wizard rocker Justin Finch-Fletchley, and our first initiative is a nationwide fundraiser for disaster relief efforts in Haiti. We’ve worked this fundraiser into the structure of our upcoming fall tour, which starts in Boston on October 24 and runs through November 26. We’re hoping to raise over $1,000 for the cause, and we’re also hoping to raise awareness for a humanitarian crisis that has been largely ignored by the media. If you’d like to help out, the first step is to read this (rather lengthy) blog. Thank you so much, and we hope to see you on the road this fall!

The Harry Potter universe is a mirror to our society in many ways. The children and teens of the wizarding world are subjected to years of magical training, just as the young people of our world must meet certain academic requirements before entering the workforce. Grown-up wizards face grown-up problems: seeing to their children’s health and well-being, putting food on the table, and advancing their own careers. Even the most talented wizards have to make a living somehow, whether it’s a mundane administrative job at the Ministry or an exciting, comparatively glamorous position as instructor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.

We learn early on that wealth wields power in the wizarding world. The Malfoys’ family fortune allows them to enjoy a large home and a number of luxuries not available to all wizards. Additionally, their money has apparent influence on the government; in the lead-up to Harry’s trial before his fifth year at Hogwarts, it is implied that Mr. Malfoy may have paid Cornelius Fudge not to clear Harry’s name (OotP). Like the corporate lobbyists and special interests prevalent in real-world America, wizards with wealth can expect their voices to be heard by the ruling class.

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