Rebellion or Bust

Unless you live under a rock, have terrible taste in films, or are actually a fan of the Dark Side, then you may have noticed it's May 4th! The one day where people can walk around and say "May the Fourth be with you," and not got a weird look. If you couldn't tell already, I am one of those people and am currently wearing a Han Solo t-shirt, leggings covered in TIE fighters and X-wings, and a Princess Leia hat. Sue me.

Today, though, I don't want to talk about what I'm wearing or the fact that you can say "May the Fourth be with you." No, I'd rather chat about the worldwide phenomena that is Star Wars and how it applies now more than ever.

Growing up, three things were certain in my household:

1. You will listen to Metallica and you will like it.

2. Never say you're bored. This results in weeding flower beds.

3. Star Wars is mandatory at birth for every generation.

The funny thing is, Star Wars hasn't just impacted my childhood or my sister's. It started with my parents when they were kids. My love for Star Wars doesn't stem from me watching the films, but the experience of sharing something that stretches beyond generational lines. Even when the prequels surfaced (RIP Jar Jar Binks), I knew I was a small, minute part of a much larger whole. Sure, Star Wars takes place in a galaxy far, far away, but its story hits a bit closer to home.

First off, who doesn't love the classic struggle of good versus evil? The human race is obsessed with this story line. Usually, we see the depiction of good always triumphing over evil; there is little to no question about it. However, when watching Star Wars, we're faced with the fact that good doesn't always win the race. That being on Team Good doesn't mean you will always score a touchdown against Team Evil. Even if Team Good does win that game, they know they will have to face Team Evil in a fearful playoff game.

Fear. During every Star Wars film, you see the struggle of each character coming to terms with their fear, whether that is the fear of the future, fear of the power they have, or fear of the opposing side. What's more relevant to humans than the struggle with fear? We're often told to not show fear, but we are never told to deal with our fears. Instead, we push that struggle into the very back of our minds, praying it doesn't resurface. Fear is easier hidden than faced. Look at Anakin Skywalker. Instead of facing the problem at hand, he went postal on his fellow Jedi, choked out his pregnant wife, and became Darth Vader. I'm thinking there were better ways to deal with what he was going through.

Speaking of his wife, Amidala was a certifiable force to be reckoned with. She became a queen at fourteen, for crying out loud! She fought for the liberation of her people on her planet and then moved on to the Senate where she continued her fight for peace. Amidala's bravery doesn't stop there. Even when her husband went totally crazy, she braved going to visit him and attempted to bring him back from the Dark Side. When she discovered she couldn't, she pretty much told him to shove it in his ear and bailed, giving birth to Leia and Luke Skywalker. Just like her mother, Princess Leia went on to become the face of the Rebellion. She watched the destruction of her home planet and faced the possibility of her execution with snide remarks. She didn't care if you thought you were in charge, she was going to take control of the situation whether you liked it or not.

Growing up. it was always nice to have these two women represented in a film about facing your fears and doing what was right. They didn't shy away from what needed to be done. They fought for their home and family. These women didn't have any special powers or any specific destiny laid before them. They took charge of their own path, despite all of the outside forces urging them off the road. And now, what's even more rewarding is the fact that in these newest films, strong women aren't just side characters, they're front and center.

All in all, Star Wars isn't about Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker. It's not about how good will always trump evil or that light sabers look really cool. Instead, it's about the human struggle. Star Wars is about standing for what you believe in, even if you're the only person that stands up. It's about not giving into your fears and facing them head on. It's a story about how love and compassion can extend beyond our physical view.

Whether we like to admit it or not, we don't have everything down pat. History is doomed to repeat itself unless we decide to do something about it and evil does win more often than not. Star Wars isn't some retelling of the struggle within a galaxy far, far away, but an explicit reminder of the world we live in. Star Wars is the story of us, here and now. We live in one of the most pivotal times in human history and it's time to determine whether we will fight the good fight as rebels, or anxiously chill with Vader.

It's time to rebel.

Love,

Heldie