Star Wars is for everyone!

There is an article that has been circling around the net about a little girl named Katie who was bullied by boys in school for carrying a Star Wars water bottle. Since the article hit, there has been an overwhelming flow of support for Katie to show her that she’s not alone and that girls can like whatever they want. I know there have been a number of blogs dedicated to this already, but I felt compelled to share my own experiences.

I used to get picked on A LOT in elementary school. I always wanted to play with the boys and their adventure games of pretend. I wanted pirates and ninjas and dinosaurs! I also grew up with a brother that was three years younger than me, so playing with “boy” toys was familiar to me. That comfort definitely had its cost, and I always felt I had to prove myself to the boys in school. To show them that I could keep up. For the most part, I did.

I suppose I was a nerd before I even knew I was one, and one of my loves from early on was Star Wars. One of my favourite Halloween memories is of the year I dressed up as Princess Leia. Not only that; I was Princess Leia with a lightsaber! I have a photograph somewhere of me in that costume alongside my little brother in his Indiana Jones getup.

My love of Star Wars stayed with me. When the films were re-released in theatres, my parents took us to see them. I remember when I saw The Empire Strikes Back I was so bold as to again don my Princess Leia costume. I felt a twinge of embarassment when I got to the theatre since no one else had worn a costume, but the theatre staff and other audience members seemed to enjoy my enthusiasm and gave me compliments.

Another one of my favourite childhood memories was when my brother and I would play Star Tours. We’d put in A New Hope, fast-forward to the Rebel’s attack on the Death Star and then take turns being the X-Wing and pilot (ala a horsey-back ride). I can’t remember a time when I’d go to Disneyland as a kid that we wouldn’t ride Star Tours, and many times, it was the first ride of the day.

As I mentioned prior, enjoying the things I did had a price. Being picked on didn’t stop with elementary school. When I was in high school, I remember sitting around a restaurant table with a group of friends. We were talking about the play in drama and this and that, when the girl sitting across from me loudly stated that I was very “manly” because of the things I liked. I tried to play it off, but I was deeply, deeply embarrassed. But you know what? I didn’t stop liking what I liked.

As of today, I have a great career that involves toys and movies and comics. I have a husband who is as big of a nerd as I am, if not more so. I have a house filled with awesome geeky stuff. I may have gotten teased for liking stuff that was for “boys”, but looking back, that passion was part of my success. I have met so many amazing people, and especially so many like-minded women who love Star Wars, comics, toys, gaming and more.

So to Katie I say: the Force will be with you always! Follow your dreams and don’t let anyone get you down. Girls can be whoever they want and do whatever they want. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. To the other people out there reading this, know that you can make a difference in a child’s life by being supportive. It may make more of a difference than you know.

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