J.K. Rowling explains why she briefly stopped highlighting children’s artwork amid the George Floyd protests

Rowling at the RFK Ripple of Hope Awards in December 2019 in New York City. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling took a brief break from highlighting children’s artwork on social media as she focused on the George Floyd protests in the United States.

Rowling, who often commends drawings by kids on her Twitter feed, explained Monday morning why she hadn’t taken part in that usual routine for several hours.

“I’ve paused on commenting on children’s drawings because, like everyone, I’ve been watching what’s happening in America,” Rowling tweeted. “Anything I say feels inadequate. All I know is that the world has to change. Power structures have to change. White people have to change.”

Shortly after sharing that message, the British author resumed posting compliments about children’s artwork.

“Of course I’ll keep commenting on the kids’ pictures, because they deserve it!” Rowling wrote in a separate tweet. “Just wanted to explain a few hours of radio silence.”

The death of Floyd, a black man, in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25 has led to massive protests in cities throughout the United States.

Ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was fired last week and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, with a criminal complaint accusing him of kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes.