DEBATING THE DARK FORCES....

I have been asked by so many people "WHY A HARRY POTTER series?" and "Don't you think it promotes witchcraft and evil?" etc

Here is my response....

Earlier this year I was approached by Macmillan Caribbean to edit a new series for boys and girls aged 12 to 15. The genre is futuristic/ legend/ sci-fi / fantasy or any combination of! The work must have strong Caribbean themes as well as broad universal appeal. The only reason I am touting it as a Caribbean "Harry Potter" is because this is what J.K. Rowling has been able to do using her British FOLKLORE of witches and goblins.

I have heard some debate about the the promoting of 'dark forces' by such works. I find such discussion unnecessary but since so many have asked, decided to express my point of view:

The concepts of light emerging out of darkness, of good conquering evil of what is 'magic', supernatural and divine within us all, of eternal life and resurrection are archetypal. Such stories can be told and retold using different characters, locations, plots and so on. It is sad when adults so bigoted by false religion seek to separate themseleves and children from a valid, creative, literary exploration of the human psyche and IMAGINATION.

Above all else, the new series aims to get children of an 'at risk' and 'lost' age group READING. Pre - and young teens are in a quick-fix, electronic media trance. Bombarded unquestioningly by predominantly US movies, music and Play Station games all laced with gratuitous violence. We don’t want to emulate such forms of entertainment, but to responsibly compete for the attention of our young people. To do that we must be willing to take risks, and even be edgy at times. We need to address the realities of human experiences and emotions - which include the shadow side as well.

There is still little indigenous media harnessing a unique-as-we-are popular culture to excite and stimulate a growing self-esteem among our Caribbean youth. Besides, the Caribbean has much to reciprocate and offer the world as well!

J.K. Rowling's series may not be 'the best' of its genre, but she did it in such a way that its broad appeal has non-readers of ALL ages reading. I know when I say "a Caribbean Harry Potter", just about everyone, everywhere knows what I'm talking about. Since I am accepting submissions from authors and aspiring authors anywhere in the world, it is a useful association.

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