This award to the HP Alliance is the best thing to happen in recent weeks. I first heard of Andrew when he emailed me in 2005, full of excitement and vigor and a clear wish to channel HP activism; I read the email and just filed it away. Later, ex-staffer Julie happened to meet him out of "sheer, dumb luck," was taken with his mission, and interviewed him for our podcast. We had a good awareness of the HPA and willingness to post (most of) their news, but still where not even remotely near getting involved with them, and no one suggested otherwise, either (sometimes the opposite, actually). Leaky readers have a (charming:) habit of being actively opposed to activist posts, and in 2006, with the site in the middle of massive transformation, we weren't up to the headache of combatting that. So, he sorta fell off our radar and it could have easily stayed that way.
Then I met him. The Yule Ball in Boston, 2006 - about six months later - was the next time Andrew truly crossed my path. And I saw him speak. And before I even recognized that he was the same guy who had been on our site, I watched with my mouth open as he whipped the young crowd into a frenzy, as they were shouting about love and defiance, and seemed willing to run right out into the world at that moment to do good using Harry as a model. I caught his ear after the show, he and his girlfriend gave me a place to stay for the night, and we talked for hours about Potter and the power it had to do good. If there was one activist model to follow regarding Harry Potter, it was his. The very day after I met him we were exchanging fiery emails about plans for the future. And I happily signed on for whatever help he wanted. We've done a lot of good work with him this year, and we have a lot more to come.
What he's done is really beautiful; that December 2006 meeting was fated and would have had the same output if I'd never heard of him before, too. There's something about watching him talk about the HPA that spreads his message. He's caught the spirit of Potter and is helping people find their voices and live out the messages of the books they love, and it's pretty damn awesome. And twice as awesome to see JKR recognize it. Congrats, HP Alliance, I'm proud to serve on your board and can't wait to see what's next.
"We've done a lot of good work with him this year, and we have a lot more to come."
*takes a deep breath* Where there is amazing work, there are amazing results...and THAT is what I try to think of every time I am standing at the bottom of the perverbial mountain and look toward the sky in an effort to see the summit. I'm so happy for the HP Alliance...I'm so proud that Leaky is so closely affiliated with them, and I am looking forward to all the great things Leaky and the HPA can achieve together going forward. And, as Jo said, all in Harry's name. How freaking incredible is that?
I am a Leaky reader who is *very* pleased with your integration with the HP Alliance. They are truly doing wonderful work, bringing not just news of important global issues to young people, but in encouraging activism as well. It makes me immensely proud to be a Leaky reader and a Potter fan to see such the difference we are making in the world!
Thank you so much for all the wonderful work you do, and only the best wishes for the holidays, Melissa.
GO ANDREW! He really is incredible and I'm so happy to know that he's channeling HP into real activism! That was amazingly well written Melissa!!
Happy Holidays to you and your Family and Congrats to HP Alliance!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MELISSA!!
I hope that very soon you will have time to enjoy it.
Thank you so very much for everything you do. You are beyond awesome.
Good luck with the writing!
YAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY, MELVIN!!!