Recently, columnist and mom Carrie Goldman wrote an essay in Chicago Now about bullying in schools and why parents should start teaching their children as soon as 1st grade how to deal with being bullied. She spoke from the heart, not just because it’s an issue all parents must grapple with, but because her own young daughter Katie was being bullied FOR LIKING STAR WARS!?!
Here’s the excerpt from her article Anti-Bullying Starts in First Grade:
She wailed, “The first grade boys are teasing me at lunch because I have a Star Wars water bottle. They say it’s only for boys. Every day they make fun of me for drinking out of it. I want them to stop, so I’ll just bring a pink water bottle.”
I hugged her hard and felt my heart sink. Such a tender young age, and already she is embarrassed about the water bottle that brought her so much excitement and joy a few months ago.
Is this how it starts? Do kids find someone who does something differently and start to beat it out of her, first with words and sneers? Must my daughter conform to be accepted?
As any Star Wars fan worth his or her weight in midichlorians can tell you, there is no one single “type” of Star Wars fan. Star Wars fans are both genders, all ages, all races and all nationalities.
And not only are there millions of women who love Star Wars, there famous, talented women who love Star Wars like pop star Lady Gaga, country/pop singer Taylor Swift, actress Megan Fox, actress/producer Drew Barrymore, actress/producer/writer Tina Fey, actress Michelle Ryan, comedian/actress Margaret Cho, award-winning actress Helen Mirren, MTV’s own Liz Lee, 90210 actress AnnaLynne McCord, supermodel & reality TV star Adrianne Curry, actress & gamer goddess Felicia Day, Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Go’s, singer Tanya Donelly, Jenny Conlee from The Decemberists, MSNBC news host Rachel Maddow, not to mention all the cool gamer gals in Team Unicorn! And that’s just to name only a few!
Let’s not forget our awesome female actresses in our films & The Clone Wars animated TV series who also love the franchise such as Ahsoka Tano actress Ashley Eckstein (who loved Star Wars so much she started her own sci-fi themed fashion line Her Universe), Aurra Sing actress Jaime King, Padmé Amidala actress Catherine Taber, Barriss Offee actress Meredith Salenger, Asajj Ventress actress Nika Futterman, Shaak Ti actress Tasia Valenza, Duchess Satine actress Anna Graves… just to name a few.
My point is, ladies love Star Wars too, and we should all support their right to geek out just like the guys. Little girls need to know they have every right to pick up a lightsaber as the rest of us.
Star Wars itself is full of strong, independent female characters who wouldn’t have taken any guff from 1st grade boys who clearly don’t know their Star Wars characters.
It’s these female characters like Ahsoka Tano, Princess Leia, Senator Amidala, Aurra Sing, Asajj Ventress, Mon Mothma, Aayla Secura, Barriss Offee, Luminara Unduli, Mara Jade, Darth Talon, Sy Snootles, Zam Wesell, Jocasta Nu, Ackmena, Jaina Solo — and many MANY more — who little girls (and us big girls) can learn a lot from when it comes to being ourselves and fighting for what we believe in.
Kids can be cruel. They’re just trying to figure who they are and the friends they want to hang with. They want to be themselves, but they don’t want to be made fun of for being different. Sometimes standing up for what you love isn’t as easy as it looks when you have a gang of little girls snickering at you or a bunch of boys calling you names for liking something they think is just for them.
I should know. Not only was I bullied all through school for loving Star Wars, Doctor Who and anything else with an awesome robot in it; I decided to write a book about it for other girls who have to deal with bullying called Girls Against Girls: Why We Are Mean to Each Other and How We Can Change.
But here’s how WE as Star Wars fans can help RIGHT NOW:
- Support your kids/nieces/nephews when they say they love Star Wars and The Clone Wars — even if it’s a character you don’t happen to like — *cough*Jar Jar*cough*
- Pay attention to younglings when they look depressed. They might be suffering from bullying at school and could use a Yoda-like ear to talk to.
- Make sure your younglings understand that Star Wars is for guys AND gals.
- Finally, show your support of young Katie who was bullied for having a Star Wars water bottle at school by leaving comments here on the article that started it all and here on this blog entry calling for more geek girl support. Katie’s mom is reading all these supportive comments to her, and I bet she’d love to hear your Jedi-like words of wisdom.
- If you’re on Twitter, show your support of Katie liking Star Wars with the hashtag #MayTheForceBeWithKatie
UPDATE: So many people are leaving supportive comments so they made a second page to leave comments here.
May the Force be with guys AND girls…. always.
Tags: Bullying, Celebrities, Fangirls, Her Universe
Hi Katie!
I got picked on when I was younger for being different (I liked camping and the Wizard of Oz). But you know what it’s alright. I met friends that liked the same things I did and had fun with them. I am 24 now, I ran into a boy that used to pick on me when I was 9 until I was 15 and he apologized he even asked me on a date. (I said no!) I met my husband two years ago guess where! Camping! We enjoy watching Star Wars, we go camping everywhere, and when we got married we had a Wizard of Oz wedding. Katie if you like your water bottle use it! Don’t listen to that silly boy. Because if you like something you should stick with it I did and I met some really great people! Good luck and May the force be with you Katie!
Dear Katie,
Your story really struck a chord with me, because I was also bullied for my interests and for being different.I also started wearing glasses in first grade, and I loved learning in school. Add liking Star Wars, (basically anything sci-fi) and video games, and you have a girl who didn’t get many dates in high school. I remember in third grade, I brought the original Star Wars to the class, and all the boys loved me for it! But then all the girls started to dislike me because of all the attention. In seventh grade, I also got into Pokemon and brought my Pikachu backpack to school. I was called “Pikachu” by the older boys at school. Luckily I stayed true to my interests and actually met a wonderful geeky guy in college who loves me, nerdy interests and all.
If you’ll notice, the Rebels in Star Wars embrace diversity. Han’s best friend is a Wookiee, the Ewoks helped to defeat the Empire, and Yoda is one of the most respected Jedi ever. Never let anyone cast doubts on yourself. There is nothing wrong with daydreaming about a galaxy far, far, away. Stay true to yourself, Katie!
I just got done reading this, and I know exactly how it feels. I was made fun of, mostly in middle school. My first year i loved Star Wars and thats all I wore, all my “friends” thought i was weird, and many just up and stopped talking to me. I didn’t care, i was fine by myself i had been an only child for years so i didn’t mind. But, i did feel bad, i felt like an outcast in the whole school just because my love of Star Wars. I have been a fan since as far back as i can remember, and still a huge fan today. I have many who in my life who love me and do not mind that being my favorite thing of all.
Hey Katie, I know how it is to be picked on in school. I was picked on for liking Star Wars just as you. I was in 6th grade, my first year of middle school, and I have loved Star Wars since I was a little girl, and I loved wearing the clothing of it. I dressed like a boy, i did not like girls clothes back then. Come to find out, the people who i thought were my friends, left me for what I loved, they did not like me because of the way i dressed and because I liked Star Wars. I am now 16 and entering into my Junior year of high school, I still love Star Wars and still wear it occasionally, but i have people around me now who love and care about me and do not mind that I love Star Wars. I did not care back then that I didn’t have a friend, I fought for what I loved and even though I didn’t have anybody, in the end it paid off. I found the great people I know today. I wish you luck Katie and May the Force be with you….always.
Dear Katie,
I understand that you like Star Wars and the boys bully you at school. I am a HUGE fan of Star Wars. I am 10 years old. I have a few lightsabers, and a few ship models. I am working on a Star Wars fan film right now. In fact, I’m working on a trilogy.
Tales of the New Jedi Order
Episode VII: Return of the Sith
Episode VIII: The New Darkness
Episode IX: Dawn of the Light
-Benjamin Tate
This is terribley wrong! I truely hope Katie takes this the way its supossed to be and makes her a stronger person. I’ve always been a huge fan of star wars and super heroes and such. Me being a girl, of course I was and still made fun of (im 19). But only by ignorent people who aren’t worth a penny. Soon she’ll find people with the same interests and have the best time of her life! Katie girl dont let anyone EVER change you. Being unique is the best gift you can ever have.
Love, Jaky
Katie,
Your story touched my heart for a couple of reasons. I loved all things star wars when I was a kid, and was fortunate enough to be accepted by the boys in my neighborhood as the “cool girl” because I was in to the same things they were. It wasn’t until I got a bit older that my interests and the same friends I had as a little kid became a source of teasing. It was very hard to understand how just a couple of years before I was “cool” and all of a sudden I was “weird”.
Hang in there though because a few years later the fact that I loved all things geeky was cool again and now I am surrounded by friends who are geeky girls and love Star wWars as much as I do!
Now I have a little girl just a bit younger than you and I hope she never gets teased about her interests, like nerf guns and dragons, just because someone thinks they aren’t for girls! Your story has helped remind me to make sure Lily knows she can like what ever she desires and not be locked into our societies ideas of what’s okay.
Hey Katie,
I loved Star Wars growing up and you know what I got teased too for being a girl and liking Sta r Wars. People thought I was weird and different but you know what in the end being different is what makes us special. I love the person I am today and I am glad I never listened to those silly people who made fun on me. You are awesome for being different cuz fitting in is really no fun. May the force be with you…. always..
Katie! Katie, Katie, Katie.
As a young padawan, I knew how it felt to be bullied for learning the ways of the Jedi. But worry not, Katie! I sense that the force is strong within you, and you shall rise above the rest, not only a stronger, thicker skinned Jedi, but a stronger, thicker skinned girl as well.
May the force be with you Katie!
♥ Becca.
Hi Kattie!!!
We love to come out and do our show for your school..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc_g8wxTJig
http://www.SaberGuild.com
Warmest Regards
Rob
714.499.6553
robeewankenobe@gmail.com
Hi Katie! I just saw your story on the news. I too was bullied as a kid for liking things that were for “boys”. I still proudly carried my GhostBusters lunchbox to school every day. Star Wars is the coolest thing ever, I was raised in a family that loves it. I have tons of collectibles from the movies. Don’t let some bully make you hide who you truly are, because who you truly are is an amazing little girl! May the force be with you!
Christina
P.S. Han Solo is my favorite!
Do not let it bother you Katie. Some children can be cruel. Even grown ups. When I was in the second grade a teacher put a dress on me because i was slow in my school work and the children laughed at me. since I was a boy. God bless you. A 85 year old Granddad of 10 grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren. A.K. Powell
There are many and many fans, geeks, people around, actors, actressess, artist, males and especially females that loves and likes the universe from far, far galaxy away…
You are one like many of us that have dreams and loves adventures…
I love your story and remember continue to enjoy and love Star Wars and every character… it’s an adventure and what you like and live… Take care and for everyone out there…
May the for be with you all… always… adn forever…
Oh Katie. I’m a guy, and I want you to know, I was made fun of for liking Star Wars when I was younger. Being ADHD, I didn’t realize people were teasing me. I tell you this so you know you’re not alone and you dont have to feel that way!
I must say, don’t let people bully you out of your interests. You have to be strong, like a Jedi, and fight for your beliefs.
that is messed up.hope they stop.
dont let people bullie you, i can lend you my red light sabor it you want. and if your a fan of star wars you should also check out star trek. live long and prosper my friend
TATI,
Don’t worry about what those jerks say! It’s hard being bullied at any age. I’m a teenager and I’m a big Star Wars fan. My favorite character is R2-D2 He’s awesome and he’s always there to save the day. Star Wars has expanded my imagination took me to new worlds, epic lightsaber duels, and to massive ground and space battles.
May the force be with you.
Andy
My boyfriend sent me this link, and I’m 27! I used to adore Star Wars and even dressed up for Halloween as Queen Amidala, and still use my old prom dress as a Cinderella costume every year! Never let anyone persuade you to change your likes and style. That’s what makes you- you! I even use my Star Wars admiration to draw costumes for my Padme paper doll when I’m bored! Have an awesome Christmas!
Your Fellow Girl Geek,
Laura
Katie,
I would first like to say I am sorry that this has happened to you. I know it’s hard, but you just need to ignore them. I grew up with the original trilogy (I’m 36) and I absolutely LOVED Star Wars, but being a boy that was just the thing. My love for Star Wars has carried with me my entire life. I have 4 kids. My oldest son Wesley Jr. (10) and my younger son Timothy (6) also love Star Wars. I also have a set of 3 year old twins, Jacob Luke & Carma LeeAnn (who I really wanted to name Leia, but she was named after her maternal great-grandmother). My daughter loves Star Wars and she is slowly learning all of their names. I could not begin to imagine how I would react to her coming home and telling me she was being bullied over liking Star Wars. But all I can say it be strong, don’t give up, and once they realize it doesn’t bother you, they will move on to someone else.
May The Force Be With You.
Wesley
Dear Katie,
I played Star Wars at recess all the way up to when I was in fith grade! Now I am a 17 year old girl who owns a lightsaber and Star Wars T-Shirts! And I am lucky to have people who accept me! So keep hope young one there are plenty of people out there who love Star Wars and are here for you! Never grow out of your love for Star Wars!
Dear Katie,
This is going in a bit late, but whatever. I get where you’re coming from. I’m fourteen, and I’ve gotten thrown out windows (literally) for liking Star Wars. I just get up, dust myself off, and keep on playing with my lightsaber. Don’t let pig heads ruin what you like for you because they consider it theirs. Truth be told, most of them probably don’t even like Star Wars. I used to come home crying from school every day, until I got a really good piece of advice.
Think not of what others say, only of what you feel.
Now I’m fine. I still get made fun of, but I could care less.
My name is Ben, I’m a boy, and everyone gets bullied at some point. It’s what you decide to do about it that counts.
May the Force be with you!
Your a girl after my own heart. I know exactlty how you feel. trust me, I’m 11 years old and bigger than any one in my class but I am still picked on.
I think that its totaly awsome that you are keeping up and remeber that you should always be you even if others say it is roung! NEVER give up on what YOU trully want and… don’t turn to the dark side!
Hi Katie:
I’m 7 yrs old and like Star Wars too. Never let people bully you. If you like something just stick with it. I did!
May the Force be with you.
Genevieve
i feel sooooooo sorry beacause i was teased but the way i delt with it is that i would ignore them im 13 and people still tease me but i ignore them just to get by wat ever you do young one done ever let any body get in you way of loveing star wars drew taylor have faith that you can do it may the force be with you
stay with the jedi
Hey Kaite
Im 14!! And Star Wars is my life. Im sorry that you are being picked on for somthing you love. I just entered high school, imagine all the comments i get for being a 14 year old girl obsessed with Star Wars. Just ignore what anyone says to you about it being a guy thing. Its stupid, Millions of girls around the world probably love Star Wars as much as we do. So stay strong and dont let the bullying get to you. KEEP ON LOVING STAR WARS!!!!! no matter what
Hey, just wanted to say that I’m a girl geek too, and I know exactly how poor Katie feels. The boys at my school as well as the other girls all picked on me in high school for being a Star Wars nerd (not to mention Star Trek and other stuff like that). All my girlfriends like SW too, so Katie shouldn’t feel bad at all. Star Wars is SO a girl thing too.
DUDE!! Do these punks not know that over half of the major Star Wars characters are female? Like the author said, Mara Jade, Amidala, Tano, Ventress, Leia, and many MANY more. In all the EU and splinter stories, they wouldn’t be any good if they didn’t have that much needed voice of reason that women so often provide. Also look at all the great female writers- Karen Traviss, Jude Watson, Elizabeth Hand, etc.
Katie, if you love something and want it, GO FOR IT. Don’t let anyone tell you who you are.
katie
im soooo sorry 4 u!!! getting teased 4 liking starwars!!! so out rage us!!! i am a massive huge GINORMOUS FAN!!!! i have7 lightsabers my room is covered in postars and i 2 used to get teased. it felt sooooo bad. i m now 12 and still teased. DONT LISTEN TO THEM!!!
I CANT EVEN NAME all the girl charecters. (im still working on that)
peter
Katie, you are very brave to show who you really are inside. I, myself love star wars but at my school they don’t bully me. I wish your school was like this but guess what you may be suprised at what some boys and girls like! Guess what? My brother used to love Barbies! You may find that some boys in your school love things that they think are only for girls. But Katie remember nobody can stop you from being who you are inside! You are special! The boys and girls at school might say that star wars is for boys but how is it only for boys? And Katie a lot of girls like you and me love star wars and I bet some other girls in your school love star wars! So don’t be afraid to be yourself and I’m sure that all of the star wars characters (male and female) would say great job Katie! Good luck Katie and may the force be with you… always.
Hey Katie,
I am truly sorry for what those boys are doing to you. I am 19 and am a huge Star Wars fan. I as well grew up being picked on for liking Star Wars. I overcame the bullying by showing pride in loving Star Wars. I continued to wear the t-shirts, hats, (sometimes stormtrooper helmets to school) and wore it with pride. I am doing a paper for my writing class in college about how it is important to express that everyone has the right to love Star Wars, girls, boys, everyone. You have certainly touched me, and I hope that you continue to show your Star Wars pride!
The Force will be with you…always
Hello Katie!!
It is good to see that a good girl like you likes Star Wars…this is amazing, and it’s sad hear that those bad boys told you words without logic, because they all are ignorant, you are the best girl, you will be the best in everything and l like that you are a big fan of Star Wars, and congragulations, l haven’t seen a girl like you, you are different and again congragulations…
Katie
May the force be with you always, and the dark side of the force will be your allied… The Sith will be with you
Hey Katie! =)
We have the same name, which makes you automatically cool.
Plus, you like Star Wars so that makes you amazingly cool. Don’t worry about what other people think. It may seem important now, but I trust you it’s not.
And all of those jerks who think that someone with different interests from them are going to grow up to be sad, miserable people. You know why? Because they’re going to be too afraid to be themselves because they’re worried about what other people think.
I promise that when you’re older and those kids grow up, they’ll realize that the differences are what is good about a person. It took me a long time to figure that out but I did. And I’ve never been happier. Those who judge you don’t aren’t important and those people who are important will never judge you for what you like.
Stay strong, girl. And be happy to be you because no one can do it better. <3
forget those kids you keep liking star wars my aunt loves it, my sister and my cousin. those kids are just jealous
hey katie!I like Star Wars too. Some boys know that i like it. My friend likes it too so sometimes,she comesto watch star wars with me!I am know used to it!You’ll get over it!
Yes I see, i’m 14, and I’m in High School, and I’m the only big Star Wars fan so far, but i’m saying YOUR NOT ALONE! be a Star Wars fan forever, Don’t let mean boy’s get 2 U. Say a random line from ST, and repeat it, or make up a different one, that’s what i always do at my school.
Although they’ll say something back, then i say Ahsoka: I’m a Jedi, and i will always be the best padawan of master Skywalker ever!
Remeber to stay where U R, and use my advice, come on Star Wars has been around sence I wasn’t even born. Maybe some boy’s like U?! Yoda: Hmmmmm?
Sooooo…May the Force be with you!!
I got picked on in junior highschool all the time for my love of star wars. don’t let anyone give you grief about anything that you enjoy be it star wars, pokemon, certain cartoons or movies. ask your parents about conventions as well and have them go with you in a group costume or something. May the Force be with you.
Hey, Katie!
Don’t let ANYONE stand in your way! You are one special and unique young lady. I’m a fifteen year old girl who honestly still plays with her Star Wars action figures or watch the saga or read one of the novels. I know how hard it is to be bullied–pretty much all of my Middle School years, I had to face them. But you are strong in the Force, and I would bet all my midichlorians that you could beat every one of those boys in a lightsaber fight. P.S.–they’re probably just jealous you have such an awesome water bottle.
May the Force be with you!
Hi Katie.I can understand your feelings.It happened to me.I have loved Star Wars Legend since i was four.And i am still loving it.Do not give up sweet.They are just jealous and half-witted kids.Believe me those guys doesnt know something about Star Wars like us.And you know smart people loves Star wars.And those idiot guys stay idiot forever.Anyhow…Do not forget this You can choose your destinyIf you love this nobody can stop you.Even Darth Sidious.
May the force be with you Katie..
Jessie
hey katie
now im a guy and i know that star wars is for everyone!you shouldent fell bad for loveing something and getting teased by it.thoes boys dont know what they are talking about when they say its for boys…..you should be proud in what you like. im 14 and i remember watching star wars when i was a little kid and i had friends who liked it boys and girls……dont let them teaseing you get to you…now have fun and may the force be with you!
Dear Katie
I know how you must have felt because I do steal get picked on not just because of being a star wars fan and a girl one if that, but also being different then most teenage girls, and my heart goes out to you, but don’t worry there are many people who love star wars out there and I know you will find a friend boy or girl who shares your love for
Ps Star wars fandom is like being apart of a family we’re all homies
I was bullied some for liking star wars as well, but it seemed to back off when I declared “WELL, I am a GIRL and I like star wars, so, then girls CAN like star wars!” I also was one of the few girls not afraid to get physical with the boys when they messed with me ^.^; not that this is an appropriate response, but its what I did as a child. My younger brother, who is 8, was shocked to hear that Katie was made fun of. He said he would make friends with her, because he loves star wars too! He thinks those boys are crazy and that she should keep carrying her water bottle.
Dear Katie
I understand your plight even though I am not a girl I am too bullied for liking star wars and science fiction in general . May those bullies regret what they did.
PS. May the Force be with you always.
Bullying must be stopped!
Star Wars are for boys and girls, this is a democracy, no a totalitarian regime!
Hi Katie,
I know how you must be feeling. I’m 11 now and I love Star Wars. Most of the people in my grade think I’m weird but my best friend stands by me no matter what geeky films I like to watch. I’m sure there is at least one girl in your grade that also likes Star Wars. If there isn’t, then you are definitely the coolest girl in the first grade!
Those boys are just idiots, and you could beat them all in a lightsaber fight! Your Jedi skills would make Luke proud!
May the force be with you Katie!
Hannah
Hannah
Hi Katie
I know how you must have felt. I was also teased for liking Star Wars. Don’t stop loving it just because of some stupid boys. They don’t know that the force is strong with you, and you could beat all of them in a lightsaber fight! You have Jedi skills that would make Luke proud! They’re probably just jealous that you have such an awsome water bottle. If you are really the only girl who likes Star Wars, then you are definately the coolest girl in the first grade!
May the force be with you Katie!
Hannah
dear Katie, I know how it feels like being bullied. I’ve been bullied, but that cant stop you from liking star wars. star wars is for every one. if some one bullies you ignore it thats, what I do. May the force be with you.
I am sooooooooooooo sorry you’re getting picked on! Listen, Don’t pay attention to those boys. They don’t know the last thing about Star Wars! You just hang in there!
May the Force Be With You!
geeky girls who like star wars are hot. in fact, they’re even hotter than geeky girls who play COD.
My heart goes out to Katie. Just be yourself, knowing that you’re not alone in your love for Star Wars. I felt weird about myself growing up because I’m such a big fan, but now I realized it’s okay to be a SW fan! Use that inspiration you get to make you a better person. Here’s a loving hug for you! *hugs*
P.S. Don’t feel bad about being adopted. Remember, Luke and Leia were also adopted. It means you’re loved!