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The importance of creating a safe space for new Star Wars fans

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The importance of creating a safe space for new Star Wars fans

As a gamer with a rich family history steeped in geekdom and a penchant for introducing young ones to the galaxy far, far away, I can confidently say that Star Wars has been an integral part of not just my life, but also the lives of those I hold dear. It’s a rare occasion when we gather around our giant screen TV, munching on popcorn and snacks, with me decked out in TIE fighter attire or Princess Leia garb – all while discussing the latest adventures of our favorite characters.

Amongst four siblings in our family, I stand as the second-born. Each of us has an area we’re passionate about being geeks, but my sister has bestowed upon me a unique position – the fun and trendy aunt who introduces our children to popular series. This aligns with me persuading one nephew to delve deeper into the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and suggesting to my nieces that I’m an enthusiastic Slytherin house member when they expressed interest in reading “Harry Potter.”

It’s quite a memorable moment when we all gather for the first time to watch “Star Wars” together. We huddle up in front of our large TV screen, munching on popcorn and other treats, with me donning my TIE fighter tee or Princess Leia hoodie. Above all, I’m there to help answer their questions and discuss our thoughts on the movie afterwards.

During the D23 Expo, John Williams was honored with a medley of his music, accompanied by film clips. A new piece caught my father’s attention, which he found delightful. It turned out that he had never watched the sequel trilogy before, so I suggested he give it a go.

Later on, I received a call from my father. He had tears in his voice as he discussed the ending of The Last Jedi, and we conversed passionately about Ben Solo’s redemption storyline for nearly thirty minutes. We couldn’t agree on which character was our favorite. Given that this is the man who watched Star Wars back in 1977 and inspired others to follow suit, it made our shared love for the new Star Wars content a truly meaningful experience.

Nothing quite inspires me as much as expanding a fandom’s family. No matter where we come from or who we are, we deserve to find something in a franchise that inspires us and makes us think about the world differently. It is easy to find negativity online about any piece of media, but I’m constantly inspired by the ability of people to not take that route. I admit to being part of the Luke Skywalker Addicts on Facebook, but I also love watching the in-depth commentary on YouTube that comes from fans who love catching Easter eggs along the way.

There is, of course, always a space for dissenting opinions. As much as I have enjoyed getting more excited by the week with TV series such as The Mandalorian and The Acolyte, differing perspectives have helped me understand things I hadn’t considered. Talking to people about what they wished we had more of in Obi-Wan Kenobi didn’t diminish my enjoyment of explaining why Leia trusts Ben Kenobi.

While I’m not advocating for an unbridled excitement akin to Kai Brightstar for every single thing stemming from the distant Star Wars galaxy, it’s undeniable that the power of belonging is significant within this universe. This sense of inclusion ought to be mirrored in the fandom as well.

In any case, let’s embrace the Force together, a state achieved when we remain tranquil and serene. Guided by Master Yoda’s wisdom, let us strive diligently to create an environment where both seasoned fans and newcomers can discover their unique perspectives of the vast universe.

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2024-08-20 20:21

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