Photo Credit: [Archer Film Fest via Twitter]
Star Wars and politics have always gone together, well before Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Dork Side of the Force is bought and paid for by Disney (also known as a shill) in promoting their “SJW” or social justice warrior agenda aspect of Star Wars — at least that’s what I’m told. If that was the case, Disney is way late on their payments because I haven’t received a dime of the “shill” blood money.
Honestly, up until about three weeks ago, I had no idea what the terms “shill,” or “SJW” even were. Now, I know far too well what those words mean, after receiving much hate from the toxic part of the fanbase, accusing me and other Star Wars writers/YouTubers/ fans really, of being bought and paid for by Disney for enjoying the newer content. We all learn something every day, I suppose.
I’ve gone on record defending Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy, and Rian Johnson and have paid the price; receiving hate message after hate message over the past month. But, speaking the truth and calling out hypocrisy does not come without consequence — something I’ve also learned.
It’s no secret that the Star Wars community is in the midst of a civil war, one that seems destined to continue into infinity and beyond. One reason for the internal struggle is the perceived agenda of the current Star Wars leadership and their “agenda” of promoting their SJW propaganda — which is a total garbage claim.
A galaxy far, far away has always embraced the political aspects of culture within its films, beginning with George Lucas all the way back in the late 1970’s.
Thanks to Star Wars YouTuber Hello Greedo for bringing sanity to this conversation and researching the topic intently. You’re one of the few who’ve handled it with grace, class, and honesty. I’m going to address the main points in his video, ones that are spot on in describing the current state of the franchise and its long history.
When Star Wars and politics meet
Hello Greedo claims that the political undertones have scaled back tremendously from the original trilogy, prequel trilogy, and even the recent Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series — which I wholeheartedly agree.
George Lucas himself admitted without reservation that the Emperor is based on a President Nixon and his regime when asked if the Emperor was a Jedi back in 1981.
"“No. He was a politician. Richard M. Nixon was his name. He subverted the Senate and finally took over and became an Imperial guy and he was really evil. But he pretended to be a really nice guy.”"
The Vietnam War heavily influenced the plotline and characters for the original trilogy, says George Lucas.
"“It was really about the Vietnam War… which got me thinking historically about how democracies turned into dictatorships.”"
For “the Maker’s” sake, I’m glad Social Media wasn’t around back in the day. They would have swallowed him alive within a Sarlacc pit of hatred.
During commentary of the special edition of Return of the Jedi, George Lucas states that the Ewoks symbolized the Vietcong warriors, ones who were outnumbered by a more potent military arsenal.
If you think George Lucas was blunt with his original Star Wars films, the prequel trilogy pushed the limit even further. He has this to say about the inspiration for Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the Dark Side of the Force.
"“Anakin Skywalker is a promising young man who is turned to the Dark Side by an older politician and becomes Darth Vader. George Bush is Darth Vader, Cheney is the Emperor.”"
That’s not subtle in the slightest and makes total sense now, having this newfound perspective. Even Padme’s response to Palpatine’s rise to power, mirrored in Revenge of the Sith, is taking a shot at the Bush Administration — which is nothing new in Star Wars.
Not subtle in the slightest
Hello Greedo points out that Star Wars: The Clone Wars is less subtle, with many of its stories not hiding their political. He’s spot on.
So, why are certain Star Wars “authorities” so upset about the political messages in the current films and stories? How is this “agenda” different than George Lucas and his political vibes?
Why does Kathleen Kennedy receive hate from every angle for wearing a shirt that says, “the Force is female?” She’s not promoting her “feminazi” propaganda, but embracing a Star Wars franchise that now celebrates women, they way it should, outside of just one character in Leia from times past.
Diversity is finally overtaking a galaxy far, far away and it’s a fantastic thing. Kathleen Kennedy and Rian Johnson did not use The Last Jedi as a plot to promote SJW viewpoints but displayed the state of affairs in our culture — as George Lucas did when he wrote the stories back in his day.
A prime example in The Last Jedi is when DJ expresses to Finn that both sides of the fight are making money off of war, which is undoubtedly the case in this day and age. Canto Bight symbolizes the wealthy and elite of society thriving at the expense of those who are living in poverty.
This approach is nothing new, and the current Lucasfilm team should not be crucified for doing the same thing that George Lucas, and every filmmaker for that matter, does in every single movie. Discussing political aspects of a film or story is not necessarily promoting an SJW agenda; it’s an essential method of storytelling. It has been since the beginning of time, in reality.
Photo Credit: [StarWars.com]LucasfilmAnother point that Hello Greedo brings up is when other people assume they know him and his political views, yet attack him anyways.
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- Unwrapping the Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar: Day 7
I can personally attest to that very thing of late, with YouTube bullies and self-proclaimed authorities on Star Wars (and life) calling me out when they do not know me.
All I did was make an observation, poking fun at a video that was cheesy, entitled, with a look at me vibe, and their followers came after me for having an opinion of my own. Instead, they assumed they know my background, when they have no idea.
I must have hit pretty close to the mark to get them riled up like that.
Like Hello Greedo, I spent time in the military, six years in fact in the United States Air Force as a medic. During my time in the Air Force, I experienced diversity in its purest form.
People from different walks of life were coming together to form one cohesive unit — those of varying color culture, orientation, backgrounds, and experience.
During my two deployments to Iraq, as medics, we treated both the “enemy” and our allies without discrimination.
Next: Glover says a galaxy far, far away lacks diversity
I know what the power of diversity accomplishes, even bringing friend and foe to a common ground of understanding. Star Wars is finally embracing that aspect in entirety, and it’s a beautiful thing.