20 May A Love Letter to Star Wars

In this house, we don’t stop celebrating Star Wars after May the Fourth. In fact, we celebrate it all month long. Well, actually, we celebrate it everyday because we’re fans, but that’s neither here nor there. I have been thinking about addressing the infamous toxicity in the Star Wars fandom, and my experience with it. But I want this blog to always be a positive one, so I decided to, instead, write a love letter to Star Wars. I hope that if you’re a fan, you can relate to this expression of love for the galaxy far, far away.

A Love Letter to Star Wars

Hello there, Star Wars:

As I celebrate Star Wars during the month of May, I wanted to write a love letter to Star Wars. Despite the negativity and toxicity that surrounds this fandom, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the amazing reasons I love this galaxy and its characters.

My First Star Wars Experience

I fell in love with the saga a little later than some. Even though I didn’t get to see the movies in theaters when it first came out, I still feel that I love Star Wars just as much as the first fan. I remember sitting down with hubs, who introduced me to the first and second trilogy. We wanted to watch all of them before the Last Jedi came out; so we sat down and binged Episodes 1-6, the Clone Wars, and Star Wars Rebels. I was immediately drawn into the story, and fell head over heels for the characters. All of them. They each had their charms and something to contribute to the overall storyline – I felt like everyone on that screen had an important part to play in the story that George Lucas wanted to tell.

I had to know more – needed to stay immersed in this world, even after our binge-fest and even after the last trilogy. Which, if I’m being honest, didn’t shine as brightly as the originals. Yet, I was still able to find characters and themes that I loved and appreciated, even if the last three movies weren’t my favorite. I dove into the books and even re-watched some of the movies for details I didn’t catch before. Before I knew it, I was fully submerged into this Universe, and I had no inclination of pulling myself out.

I started collecting figurines, artwork, jewelry, pins, bookbags, and clothing and expressing my excitement for Star Wars out loud and in public.

Experiencing Negativity in the Star Wars Fandom

Every love story has it’s issues, and I didn’t want to bypass some of my less-than-positive experiences as a lover of Star Wars.

Online negativity

Then I experienced my first toxic fan. I joined an online discussion, and as a new fan I was so excited to be able to just talk about Star Wars with other fans. Or at least I thought they were fans. I made the mistake of asking a question and was immediately chastised for not knowing the answer. “How can you be a fan and not know this?” he responded. “I’m new to the fandom,” I explained, “how would I know the answer as a new fan?” He would not be moved, “everyone knows this.” He snapped through his typed words.

I vowed never to ask a fan a question again, and instead harassed hubs with all the questions, theories, and facts I found out as I delved even further into the lore.

Thinking back, I chuckle as I wonder if he ever regretted exposing me to this world lol. I doubt it – we have fun with it.

Star Wars at DragonCon

DragonCon. I was still a new fan and a new cosplayer, so I put together a Lady Vader costume with a half mask, black outfit, and wig that resembled Vader’s mask. We wandered into the Star Wars panel room and there was Doctor Aphra cosplayer. I had just started reading the comics and almost lost my mind when I saw her. Thinking back, I don’t remember if I came on too excited, but when the panel was over and I complimented her cosplay and asked her for a picture, she rolled her eyes. Literally rolled her eyes before posing with a huge attitude. I felt like I had been slapped on the wrist for daring to bother such an important cosplayer, even though I had no idea who she was. After a similar second interaction with her the next year, I vowed to never have any interactions with her again.

Another year, another DragonCon, another Star Wars panel interaction. I attended a panel where they asked for volunteers to put on a skit. Still excited, and not having learned my lesson, I raised my hand to volunteer. The woman in charge frowned when she stepped in front of me and contemplated which character to give me. She begrudgingly handed me the ugliest alien lifeform in the batch and I found out during the skit that I was to die as soon as the skit started. As she moved on to the person next to me, she smiled and handed her Princess Leia. I played my part despite my hurt feelings and left. For the next six or seven DragonCons, I refused to return to that panel room or participate in any Star Wars panel programs.

Unless, of course, the actors I loved were elsewhere signing books and artwork.

My Growing Love of Star Wars

Despite those experiences, and the harsh commentary online that made me realize I was not welcomed in this fandom, I still loved Star Wars.

I could never fall out of love with the stories and the characters.

What I Love About Star Wars

I love the diversity in the Galaxy. Even if the fandom hates characters of different backgrounds, I find that there is not a character I truly hate. As a fan, I can appreciate what each person contributes to the story, even if they aren’t my favorite.

OMG, I love the variety of television shows we’ve had recently. The Star Wars Galaxy feels so much bigger now, than when I first climbed aboard my first space journey. There are western themes, shows with conspiracy thrillers ??, stories of adventures, and even shows for kids. Every show has a different point of view with new characters to learn about. There is something for everyone, and even if something is produced that doesn’t spark my interest, as a fan I can choose whether to watch or not. I don’t have to love everything to consider myself a fan.

And I love that there is room for this Universe to grow. Our heroes will always be our heroes, but there is room for new heroes, new villains, and new stories. We can miss Luke, Leia, and Han while still embracing the new characters and new stories they introduce.

The authenticity of the characters in Star Wars and their tenacity inspires me to hope, or to fight – despite the circumstances. I love that so much!

George Lucas created a world I can get lost in. There is so much lore and I love that he has opened up his galaxy to others to contribute to his story, and allowed us all to make it our own.

I love that every episode, every show, every character gives me something to think about. Whether it’s politics, interpersonal relationships, or how I face my own problems – the stories within Star Wars help me to discover and appreciate new perspectives. Even if I don’t agree with them.

And speaking of characters, you gave us characters like Ahsoka Tano, who, for me, inspires me more than words can describe. The strength and resilience she exudes makes me want to be a better person. There are so many characters we fans can see ourselves in; and that is why it’s so important to continue creating diverse stories and points of view for the fans that appreciate the diversity in their own communities and world.

I also love that no matter how many times I watch the movies and television shows, the stories always, ALWAYS touch my heart. No matter how many times I watch it, I can never end Revenge of the Sith with dry eyes. I don’t care how much hate is thrown at the last trilogy – I will never not cry when I see Carrie Fisher as General Leia one last time. Never. And I have never experienced these feelings with any other fandom.

Except maybe My Hero Academia. I cry every time. lol

And I will die on the hill that says Episode One was amazing. And is relevant to the story.

I love the depth of the villains. The Dark Side. The Sith. But I’m often left wondering, ‘are they really the villains?’

Every single movie is relevant to the story. And every character has a right to tell their story. Every. One.

My Future with Star Wars

I can’t wait for the next movie and the next television series. I can’t wait to meet the newest characters. Knowing that there is much more to explore in this universe fills me with joy, and I don’t care what anyone says – this is the greatest story ever told.

I may not be part of the overall fandom and all its toxicity. And okay, I may not be welcomed in many panel rooms or forums. I don’t care – I am a fan of Star Wars and I love this Galaxy.

I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I had to be part of this saga. May the Force Be With You!

Forever your fan,
Fern the Geek

P.S. When are we going to see what Mace Windu has been up to since Revenge of the Sith? heehee

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