The Harry Potter Alliance

By Dinah

July 30, 2008

Day 10: TriWizard House Party Day

Welcome one and all to the 10th day of our 11 Days of Breaking Out of the Muggle Mindset! Today is especially exciting for me because I get to make a big announcement. From August 8 through the 24th, the Harry Potter Alliance is going to be running a new project – one that encourages you to host your very own TriWizard House Party! You may recall the House Parties that were thrown last year to spread knowledge of the atrocities happening in Darfur. This year we wanted to take it one big step further.

The overarching idea of the TriWizard House Parties is to confront the issues that China is raising in the world. This in no way is an attack on the diverse and amazing culture of China – instead is a declaration of concern. The slogan for the Olympic Games this year is “One World, One Dream.” However, we have found that China is actually supporting the idea of “One World, One Nightmare.” China has been contributing to the genocide in Darfur and the oppression of Burma and Tibet.

We look at the Olympic Games in the same vein as the TriWizard Tournament. They are both international games to challenge strength and endurance intended to bring differing cultures together. Just as Voldemort hijacked the TriWizard Tournament by using it as a way to gain access to Harry Potter, China is hijacking the ideal of the Olympic Games to further their country’s image and prestige.

What Action Can You Take Today?
Before I go into detail about how we are tying the TriWizard Tasks back to the House Parties, I bet you’re wondering what I’m going to ask you to do today. No, I’m not going to ask you to have an impromptu TriWizard House Party – I’m not even going to ask you to commit to hosting one in August. I only ask that you do a few small things:

1. Take some time to look up some of the issues related to China’s “One World, One Nightmare” – Some places to do this are: Save Darfur, the US Campaign for Burma, and Students for a Free Tibet
2. Take a peek at the materials we’ve put together with House Party details and ideas – we will have a page to access very shortly, but in the meantime: “So You Want to Host a TriWizard House Party” and “Taking Action at Your House Party”
3. Consider hosting a TriWizard House Party or email me and I can keep you updated on open parties to attend in your area. Email me (Dinah) at: houseparties@thehpalliance.org

The Tasks and What They Mean:

Task 1: Facing the Dragon
The first task of facing the dragon is about political activism and standing up to the horrors of the world and doing something to get around them. Just like Harry, we may find that simple actions can accomplish what we need, like signing petitions or voicing our concerns to the rest of the world.

Task 2: Diving into the Lake
In the second task, Harry dove into the lake, facing dangers in order to bring relief to the hostages held at the bottom. In the same spirit, we want the focus of the second task to be helping those around us, near and far. Even so much as donating a few dollars to a charity can make a huge difference. For example, in coordination with STAND, every $3 raised toward the refugee relief effort has the ability to save one more person from persecution, starvation, and exposure for up to a full year. The HP Alliance has already raised over 6,000 dollars for this campaign, and I know that together, we can continue to add to this and continue to help protect others.

Task 3: Navigating the Maze
The third task is focused on the individual and breaking free of the Muggle Mindset. The Vernon Dursleys of the world are holding people back from developing their creativity, saying that imagination is a waste of time and energy. We want to remember that we are individuals and we need to go through a lot to know who we truly are. It is the maze of our lives that we navigate in hopes of reaching the prize in the center of really knowing ourselves.

This Sounds Like Fun! What Now?

If you would like to host a TriWizard House Party or just want to get some more information, please email me, Dinah, at: houseparties@thehpalliance.org. The same goes for those interested in finding House Parties in your area. I will keep track of the locations of people who are interested in attending a House Party and ask any Hosts near them if they are willing to have strangers attend. In the case of an affirmative, I will connect the pair! So it’s totally worth it, either way!

In the Forums

Come join the discussion in the HP Alliance forums to tell us your thoughts about the TriWizard House Parties! Let us know some of your plans and we can all brainstorm our parties together! I know I’m planning mine for August 16th and would love input on my plans! Come talk to us HERE!

Or, you can discuss the situation with China and the Olympics HERE!

I look so forward to hearing from all of you! Take care of yourselves!

–Dinah Russell

houseparties@thehpalliance.org