If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that stories – however they’re told – are for whoever connects with them on the other end. Men, women, children, non-binary people, literally anyone…if you like a book or a movie or a television show, then if someone suggests its not “for you,” they’re dead wrong.
My blood is actually boiling at the knowledge that a kid had the stones to tell a little girl that she couldn’t be part of a fandom that doesn’t belong to him.
Luckily, I’m not alone, and the great Luke Skywalker himself is on my side.
First, the post…
My 5 year old daughter picked these shoes, and a boy at school said Star Wars is for boys. She said Star Wars is for girls too. What do you think @HamillHimself ? pic.twitter.com/GvVuz04Yxf
— kristal foster (@kristalfstr) February 7, 2019
Kristal Foster’s 5-year-old daughter loves Star Wars, was wearing her favorite movie-themed shoes to school when a boy in her class informed her that she shouldn’t wear them because the franchise “isn’t for girls.”
She tagged Mark Hamill in the post on the topic, and he responded epically.
First, quoting Princess Leia…
Sometimes boys can be such stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerfherders!#StarWarsIsForEveryone 🚀🤖👽👩🚀👨🚀☄️👾🛸☀️ https://t.co/GFauW2LBEE
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) February 8, 2019
And then he reminded everyone that the films would have ended midway through the first one had Leia not been around to rescue both Han and Luke from certain death.
I think Luke & Han are lucky Leia took over their "rescue" on the Death Star or it would've been a very short movie. https://t.co/GFauW2LBEE
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) January 9, 2020
Other people jumped in on the #StarWarsIsForEveryone – rightfully so.
Wow thanks to her I was able to be strong while I was growing up in a really hard childhood, Leia was the reason I never gave up… and the reason I wanted to be a special agent but ended being a writer and director 🥰
— JacquelineJ (@JaysQuill) January 9, 2020
Oh, I’m sorry… is the galaxy only filled with BOYS?
Space is not gender specific. Space is for everyone.
— Christie (@MissLusyd) January 9, 2020
And Leia! Remember Leia!
DAMN STRAIGHT! Leia saved Luke & Han’s asses sooooooo many times! Star Wars is for EVERYONE pic.twitter.com/ZsRNWaGE8B
— Hannah (@hannahshae17) January 9, 2020
Star Wars ladies unite!
This little girl is now 13. She shares her love of Star Wars with her dad. And her love of Kylo Ren with her mom! pic.twitter.com/Y7RJH0S4jz
— Leslee Like (@LikeLeslee) January 9, 2020
And who was the main character in the last three films? Ahem…
And not to forget that Rey just saved the whole galaxy from the biggest threat ever. Rey is a woman so Star Wars is absolutely for girls.
— John 🏴☠️🇩🇪🇭🇷🇪🇺🇧🇦🇬🇧🇺🇲 (@JohnCon95373875) January 9, 2020
The next time you hear someone try to tell someone else that some piece of art or media “isn’t for them,” you have my permission to summon Princess Leia (or Carrie Fisher) and give them a serious piece of your mind.
And maybe a middle finger. Carrie wouldn’t have it any other way.