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The State of Star Wars Fandom

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Andy

By Andy

Something terrible has happened.

Master Yoda

Let me start by putting one thing straight: It's okay to not like the new Star Wars films. It's okay to be upset about Disney's handling of the franchise. It's even okay to talk about it online - I am not disputing that.

However, if you follow any Star Wars fan page across social media you will undoubtedly have come across the hostility that many people are aiming at other fans who have a differing opinion. This unfettered rage isn't even restricted to posts about the particular greivance they have with the franchise today; you will find these types of posts on anything vaguely Star Wars related.

It seems clear to me that there is a toxic element in Star Wars fandom today, one that has reportedly driven Kelly Marie Tran to leave Instagram over the amount of abuse she has received from so-called fans. I'll reiterate: It's okay to not like The Last Jedi, it's even okay to not like certain fictional characters. What isn't okay is directing unsolicited abuse at the actor (regardless of their gender, race, or anythign else) - that's called bullying.

At the very core of Star Wars, even in it's darkest times, is a story of hope. My personal experience of the Star Wars fandom over the years has been overwhelmingly positive: from my first moments on the now defunct official message boards, to attending Celebration and meeting a really call bunch of people, to the jubilant atmosphere of midnight releases. But I'm beginning to see the dark side of the community.

I know people who enjoy the new Disney vision for Star Wars. I know people who don't like it, and that's fine: The wonderful thing about Star Wars is that it is such a vast universe that we don't all have to like the same things and I'm sure the majority of fans understand this.

But it's high time we stood together - there is no place for toxic behaviour in the Star Wars community.

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Uncle Du

Uncle Du 22

Posted (edited)

It seems like everything on the internet has become some kind of a flame war. It’s crazy. People are acting like this about EVERYTHING. There is so much venom, and negativity. I just don’t understand it. 

As for SW specifically, I like the movies, I think the production is outstanding, the effects are great, and I like the actors and actresses they’ve given us. However, I think as Star Wars movies, they flat out SUCK.  Just my opinion, and I don’t hate on the people that like them. My son loves them because he’s got new Star Wars films for his young generation. And that’s really cool. 

 

Why can’t we all just get along? I love you all no matter how different we are. 

Edited by Uncle Du

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Andy

Exactly!

Perhaps the fandom has always been this way and we just didn't realise. After all, Jake Lloyd quit acting after Episode I, and R A Salvatore received death threats after that major death in the first New Jedi Order novel.

I guess I just feel that enough is enough. We don't all have to enjoy the new movies because Star Wars is vast enough that everybody can find something they like... I wish everybody could see that. :)

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TheUnknown

TheUnknown 39

Posted

Sometimes, I'm afraid of my fellow nerd, watching this sith or seeing people whine about there being a female protagonist in Gears of War 5.

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