Donald Glover, who plays the younger version of Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story, is wondering where all the “black people” are in the Star Wars galaxy.
Donald Glover, also known as the Childish Gambino, made some noise when he hosted Saturday Night Live over the weekend — bringing with him a bit of diversity to the program.
Max Rebo dropped by, playing the keyboard as “Lando” serenaded the small Galactic crowd in his skit “Lando’s Summit.” Yes, Max Rebo made an SNL appearance — I can now die a happy man.
Anyways, the amazing musician’s cameo was far from the point of the skit, where Donald Glover pokes fun at the Star Wars franchise for their lack of black people within a galaxy far, far away. Donald Glover portrays Lando Calrissian, who is hosting a Galactic Summit for all the black people across the universe.
Only a handful of black people showed up, and that was the entire point — that Star Wars lacks diversity, specifically with their inclusion of black people in their movies.
“For a while, I thought it was me, the only one, but now I see before me all the black humans in the galaxy. I’ll say it – turnout was a little low. We were expecting a thousand guests – I held out a hope that there was a black human planet somewhere, but I guess it’s just us.”
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Should actors use their platform as actors in addressing social issues when given the chance? Absolutely. I’m glad that Donald Glover is bold and unafraid in telling the truth; a pill that is often times hard to swallow.
Fortunately, Star Wars is increasing their diversity in the recent years; including more women in leading roles (Rey, Ahsoka, Jyn Erso), and better roles for the black community.
No longer is there primarily white males as leads in Star Wars films, where they’ve struck a balance within the Force.
Here’s a list of the black actors who play a prominent role in the Star Wars galaxy.
- Billy Dee Williams: Lando Calrissian — The Empire Strikes Back/Return of the Jedi
- Samuel L Jackson: Mace Windu — The prequel trilogy
- Hugh Quarshie: Captain Panaka — The Phantom Menace
- Jay Laga’aia: Captain Typho — Attack of the Clones/Revenge of the Sith
- John Boyega: Finn — The Force Awakens/ The Last Jedi
- Forest Whitaker: Saw Gerrera — Rogue One
- Lupita Nyong’o: Maz Kanta — The Force Awakens
- Donald Glover: (A Young) Lando Calrissian — Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Thandie Newton: Val — Solo: A Star Wars Story
John Boyega (Finn) playing the first black Stormtrooper was ground-breaking and a fantastic moment within a galaxy far, far away. But, as Count Dooku says, “this is just the beginning.”
Donald Glover was just getting started, complimenting his SNL appearance with a new music video titled: “This Is America.”
Not only are black people lacking in Star Wars films, but justice for them lacks across the globe. I’m glad Donald Glover is not afraid to speak the truth on the matter.
Bravo, Mr. Glover. Bravo. Keep speaking your mind and displaying your diverse talents to the galaxy.
Next: Glover celebrated Solo casting in Lando fashion!
You can see Donald Glover in the upcoming Star Wars film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, which debuts in theatres May 25, 2018.