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
I’m a guy, but I think it’s awesome you like Star Wars. I was bullied too, but more so because I was considered a “nerd”. Keep it real! Good luck.
Hey little’un! Don’t let those jerk’s let’cha down! They should want to be your friend because you like Star Wars! I was bullied alot thru elementary school for liking Star Wars, and it’s a heartbreaking feeling. But keep fighting the dark side, youngling! Your doing fantastic so far! My the force be with you, little’un.
You keep going Katie there is nothing wrong with being a SW fan I LOVE star wars too. Stand up for your self because just because you like SW doesn’t give them an excuse to bully you so keep the water bottle and rock on!!!
this is Spit Fyre over and out.
hey,kaitie im srry 2 ive been bullied 2 about starwars! im hoping this will stop! p.s im a guy
I’ve always had a lot of funny looks and comments for liking SW, boys are just jealous ’cause us girls know loads more about the films they they ever would!. Don’t let anyone put you down for loving something. xoxo
im so sorry that those kids bully you, i never have been one to be bullied, i have always stood up and faced them im a proud starwars fan and i am in fact proud for someone like you to like or love star wars, i mean why not? its always ok to want more than your boring routine, so hang in there lil one, and may the force be with you.
-sincerely
Cameron H. aka storm trooper #666
Katie, listen here. Do not listen to those boys. They are mean and do not know what they are talking about. You are an awsome person so let it show! And don’t let any mean boys get in the way of that!
I am a Mom to 2 boys and LOVE that Katie has such a passion for Star Wars. My husband loves it and got me watching Clone Wars. I went to see the very first Star Wars movie in the theater back in the 70’s and loved it too. Back then it was the IT movie for guys AND girls. It still is!!
Bring that water bottle to school Katie and be proud of who you are! We all love your caring heart and don’t let dumb kids think they’re smarter than you. They aren’t! If they were smart at all they would ask you where you got the water bottle so they could get one too!
*BIG HUG*
hey im a boy and im the only one at my school that has respect for starwars its awsome and in some movies theres more girls than boys besides ive seen 20 girl jedi and only 8 male jedi masters
She can like Star Wars all she wants! My 6 yr old loves it. I do too and watch it every Friday with my son on Cartoon Network. She should tell those boys, “I like Star Wars too! It’s cool. There is nothing wrong with girls liking Star Wars, Asoka is a girl. She’s tough and smart just like me!”…
Hi Katie,
It makes me so sad to hear that boys would make fun of you for liking such a great movie series. When I was in 1st grade it was actually cool for girls to like Star Wars. What’s cool and what’s not is different at every school. Boys are going to try to tell you who to be your whole life. All a girl can do is stand up to them and let them know you’re too strong to be pushed around. Luke Skywalker can teach you a thing or two about that. You are just as good as they are and don’t ever let them tell you differently. No one has a right to tell you what to like. It’s important to be who you are. Tell those guys all about the cool female characters in star wars. Hang in there. Those same guys will LOVE you when they’re older for being a cool girl who likes the same things they do.
Yea i got teased at school 2 but i can’t blame them im rly can’t stop talking about star wars and I watch a star wars movie every night.But the point is that its for everybody I know about 50 girls and boys who are rly into star wars.Who doesn’t belive me go to a star wars game multyplayer forum and asko anyone ill bet u’ll get the same over and over again “ITS FOR EVERYONE”
Katie,
I love Star Wars (I’m 36) and so do my older sister (she’s 44) and mom (she’s 68). Star Wars is for boys AND girls of all ages. Don’t listen to those boys, they don’t know what they’re talking about. My friends made fun of me because I like Star Trek. I just ignored them. Keep loving Star Wars. Be proud to be a Star Wars fan. Hang in there. May the Force be with you.
Hey Katie,
I want to let you know that I think you’re AWESOME for liking Star Wars! I’m a girl, too, and when I was a kid, I was the only girl in my class who liked Star Wars, and other ‘boy’ things like Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters. But when I got older, I found out that there were other girls who liked the same things I did! And now I have lots of really great friends (both boys and girls) who like the same things that I do. Never be afraid to be yourself! It’s better to enjoy the things that you like and be proud of yourself than be afraid of what other people will think.
May the Force be with you, Katie!
Hi, Katie. I was your age when I first saw Star Wars. I’m a boy, and even I was teased somewhat for liking Star Wars too. Now that I’ve grown up, I still have the same feelings towards Star Wars that I had when I was a kid.
Don’t be ashamed for what you love. One of the hardest things to do in life is to be true to who you are.
Keep it up, young padawan, and may the Force be with you.
There is nothing wrong with liking Star Wars, Katie. In fact, I was also around your age when I began watching it. Even being a senior in high school, kids often tease me when I refer back to a Star Wars reference or say something completely ‘nerdy.’ But all I can say is, I will let my colors show brightly. I am proud of who I am, and I am a proud fan. I will not hide it. Do not let the opinions of others bring you down. Always stay true to yourself and who you are because the most amazing of people are the ones who remain true to who they are no matter what others say. I am proud of you for even embracing such a thing. Never change for anyone, and let the force be with you. <3
#may the force be with Katie
Long ago far far away my own daughter Katie was picked on for the same thing,liking Star Wars! I was so surprised that she would get picked on for that! However it just happened to be in time for Halloween so Katie became a star wars character. The school carnival was packed with children many in their favorite costumes but some without,her classmates had to look twice! wow! she looked so awesome as Princess Leia!,we added a belt to it,so that she could carry her light saber and we added a “Lazar gun” and an old calculator that we made into a communication device! she had fun explaining what everything was for! the boys were snide at first saying why do you have a light saber! you are a girl! but we had practiced answering them together at home before we went,so when the time came Katie was comfortable with answering them! she said “well Luke cant always be around to protect me,so I need to be able to protect myself! I have a lazar gun too!” and then they wanted to see so she showed them and we didnt have anymore problems about her liking Star Wars.
Now Katie is 26 years old! she is called “Kat” now and she is a person that makes costumes! and anything else you can sew or wirewrap!
Kat still loves Star Wars and Doctor Who too! she won’t let anyone else tell her what she can like or who she can be,she is after all herself,and that is a wonderful thing to be.
You are a beautiful and Smart girl and I absolutely believe that you will tame the bully’s with brains!
If they would think before they speak, maybe such dumb remarks wouldn’t come out.
Maybe you can be brave enough to help them learn to be smarter than that? Ever thought about writing a book? You could help a lot of other kids,some of them might not have the great mom that you do,so they have to just keep it in and be sad.
I hope you go on to do great things!
May the Force be with you!
much Love from the other Katie’s MOM!
Mary Gainey Free
Hi, Katie. I know what it’s like to be bullied for loving Star Wars. I’ve been a big fan since I was younger than you and I’ve had my fair share of nasty comments. But have I stopped wearing Star Wars t-shirts, or quoting Yoda all the time? Most definitely not! Trust me, the boys will grow up eventually. It may take a while and it might not be easy, but be strong in the Force and trust your instincts; you’ll pull through. Maybe, in a few years, they might realise what they’ve been missing! May the Force be with you, my young Padawan!
Its okay katie i like star wars too. CLONES RULE!
Ask the local 501st Legion of Stormtroopers to sit with you at lunch and show those bullies they need to back off!
http://www.501st.com/request.php
Hey Katie,
Don’t worry about those boys, they haven’t learned yet that girls that like Star Wars are the coolest. My wife likes Star Wars and she’s the coolest person I know, and she works in film too. Keep enjoying what you want and don’t let anyone tell you differently.
Kasee
Keep your chin up Katie! Their opinion of you does not matter. I am a Dad and my daughter and I enjoy Star Wars.
Well I think you should stand up for yourself youngling. Ignore bullies like them. If they say mean things, just walk past. It always worked for me so I don’t know why it couldn’t work you! Tell everyone that you like Star Wars. May the force be with you Katie!
Hello Katie!
Jedi master Leenan Rand speaking
(yup, I even have a padawan 
She’s the one who told me about you being bullied at school for liking Star Wars and I just could not stand iddlely and not react! That wouldn’t have been the proper reaction for a jedi master 
)
(Scary, I know 
) Just to reassure you, I also have the traditional jedi outfit to remind myself the dark side is notte one whom I call my padawan 
) also have their own Star Wars costume: rebel pilot and jedi knight respectively. Just because we are girls makes it even better! People ask us to stop for pictures every time we wear our costumes; because being a girl Star Wars fan is even cooler than if you are a guy 
You should be proud to already be a great Star Wars fan 
At least, we three are proud of you 
Trully, you should not let ignorant first graders bully you because you like Star Wars. I’m 26, am a girl and teach in a high school in France (I know, in a country far far away XD ) and because I like/love Star Wars, I’ve become THE icon amongst my geeky collegues who are overjoyed of being able to share their passion for Star Wars with someone from the opposite gender.
I’m also a member of the famous 501st Legion here in my country and I regularly go the exibitions in my complete asaaj Ventress costume
I think those boys who made fun of you and claim that only they may love Star Wars have forgotten one of the most important things in the Star Wars universe. If one thing’s for sure, acting like they are can only leed to the dark side. Let us hope they will not become horrible sith lords in the future XD (or else, I will just have to go and put up a lightsaber fight with them, won’t I?
)
Keep loving Star Wars Katie, really! Star Wars made who I am today and I can’t say I regret it
The force fights with you, padawan. It will always be with you!
Jedi master Leenan Rand
Katie,
You like what you want to like, and don’t worry about what others think. Some children are cruel because that’s how they were taught to be, or some are just that way because it’s just how they -are-.
The key to dealing with bullies, is to just ignore them and do what makes you happy. They get bored with it and walk away!
Good luck, darlin’, the force is strong with you!
~Rini~
Hey Padawan Katie
Hey im Jeremiah and I am a boy I was once bullied by some kids on my block because i like Ahsoka and im in 8th grade. but don’t let it stop you from doing what you want. You don’t have to live up to anybody’s expectations but yourself. Hang in there and you’ll be alright. Don’t let those sith loving boys bring you down cause you got back up right here everyone on this page is like a jedi backing you up.
May the force be with you P.S. everyone should know those boys collect barbie dolls for real.
Dear Katie, I’m a 7-year-old girl and I love Star Wars! I really like the new Clone Wars and Ahsoka is one of my favorite characters. I just got an action figure of her. My favorite movie is Attack of the Clones and I think it’s great. I was Obi-Wan Kenobi for Halloween one year and I met a Darth Vader! I had a Star Wars birthday party too and we made a Jedi training camp. Then we beat my dad with lightsabers. My friends and I like to play Star Wars together. I wish you could come play with us! Yours truly, Emily
Hi katie! Don’t stop liking star wars because some annoying jar jar’s tell you other wise. In fact, no one really likes jar jar. But that doesn’t mean that you have to rude to them also. Be the bigger jedi… Truthfully, i never liked star wars then one day my boyfriend asked me to go to a convention with him. I thought it would be lame and a bunch of weird people there…. turns out, i had a great time! Maybe you should bring those boys to a convention and show them a lot of girls like star wars… I even have a pair of shoes that look like Luke’s!
there tom’s wrap boots if you want to get a pair and show them off 
May the force be with you,
Hannah
Don’t let it get you down. If that water bottles makes you happy then be sure to keep on drinking out of it. I have a 3yr old daughter myself and I want both of you to know that it doesn’t matter what other people say or think of you. It’s sad that kids can’t be kids anymore. Keep your head up and May the Force be With You!!!
CRAP! Bullying sucks and for Star Wars! I will never get why all these people dislike it! They need to learn! visit Wookiepedia! But obviously these people like it but not for girls! Look at Natalie Portman (hotty!), I mean she is like an icon! Girls can geek out once and a while like me (a boy) and still stay kewl and nice, i mean it doesn’t change anything!!!!!!!!!
Hi Katie (and mom)! I just saw your news excerpt on our local TV station (WQAD Channel 8 Quad Cities). I just wanted to let you know to keep liking what you like and dont change for anyone. I am 31 years old and grew up loving Star Wars – even dressing as Princess Leah one Halloween. I now own my own company and have a wonderful husband and a great group of friends and family. Kids in gradeschool are mean but my mom always used to say ‘its just because you’re confident and they’re not’. Continue being the bright and wonderful young lady you are and you’ll go on to do Great Things!
Hey Katie:
ROCK ON!!! GO STAR WARS!!!
Katie,
I bet those boys would LOVE to have that same water bottle… I’m part of the 501st, and a 37 year old Dad with two girls myself. Look at me, a GROWN UP and still oving Star Wars!
I think girls that love Star Wars are really awesome! Keep your chin up Katie, and have fun showing off that water bottle!
katie rember this if you do what everybody elase is doing. then you will be no diffrent. so i say this do what you want to do . do what ever you want not what people think you should so be the best starwars fan you can be. no matter what. we fans welcome all ages and girls and boys. so may the force be with you.
I hope she gets a guest role on The Clone Wars.
Hi Katie!
Guess what? I had a Star Wars lunch box! It was my favorite lunch box of all time! Fortunately I didn’t get teased about it, maybe you can tell those bullies that other boys are much cooler than them because they don’t tease girls for liking Star Wars.
And even if they do keep teasing I just want to let you know that girls can like whatever we want.
I liked Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings and science and robots. I also liked unicorns, rainbows and magic.
I eventually took up fencing (the sport where you fight with swords) and became my college Women’s Fencing Team Captain. So if you want to, I can fight those bullies for you (just don’t tell your Mom
).
hey, i am a huge fan of star wars and people tease me because I am a person who you’d think would be a total skater punk. but I am not! i am a total star wars dude! Don’t let people tease or bully you because you like something. I get teased all the time about being a star wars “nerd” as people call me. Be strong.
bobertz
GO KATIE!!! I wish there were more people like you!!!
hey being bullied for liking starwars is just cruel i was bullied for it even though i’m a man but because they thought i was a nerd. all i would say is “remember that when i have the coo lasers and swords that can burn through anything and you dont.” and they left me alone. me personally i like girls who like stuff like this because it’s similar to my intrest no one should be bothered by what is really cool. if others don’t like it then just brag about the cool parts about it till they finnally see that your just as good as them. good luck people and may the force be with you all
i support you katie
good luck 
i always get bullied and im always made fun of, in school becouse of likeing star wars so i know how u feel the only differance is that im in high school lol… but dont let other people bring you down ! If you like something stick to it,trust me
Katie, you´re awesome.
Remember: THE INTERNET IS WITH YOU!
So when someone tries to make you feel bad, remember that you´re way cooler than that.
Katie~ Look how many friends you have on your side, girl!
I’m a girl too and I LOVE science fiction (like star wars) and fantasy (like lord of the rings) and I fully support your star wars cup! When I was younger, I found that stories like those helped me use my imagination more and if you can imagine it–anything is possible! Now that I’m all grown up, I like to make up my own adventure stories. So, you never know, maybe star wars might affect your future self too!
Keep being yourself babe, I promise that some day you will find people who love all the things you love and they will become your true friends! <3 you stand up to those bullies and tell them you have the right to love whatever you want!! You have tons of friends that are behind you! Be proud of yourself and go for it!
Katie, this may not mean much to you now, but some day all the boys who like star wars will think it’s cool that you like it too. They will all want to be your best friend, and hang out with you so much that you’ll have to pick and choose who to spend time with. Hang on, Katie, you’ll be all right.
Hi Katie,
Those boys are wrong, Star Wars is for both girls and boys! I should know, when I was a little girl my sister and I grew up playing with Star Wars action figures. To this day I still enjoy Star Wars and I’ve dressed up as many characters including Princess Leia and Padme for Halloween! I mean really, what girl wouldn’t want Padme’s fantastic wardrobe?
You know, sometimes kids just drift to the dark side and think it is fun to pick on others for any little thing they see as being different. When I was in first grade I was picked on for having shorter hair than the other girls (how silly is that?). So it happens to just about all of us at some time and is just one of those difficult parts of growing up.
I hope those boys learn that it’s not right to make fun of anyone, and the braver thing to do would be to reach out to you as a friend and tell you you have a really cool water bottle! If not, just ignore them and keep bringing your Star Wars water bottle and anything else you like to school. You’ll find plenty of other nice friends who like Star Wars just like you do!
Don’t let those boys get you down Katie! I’m a HUGE Star Wars fan and I’m a girl too. I even dressed up once for the premiere of Return of Sith and I have a Star Wars tattoo! I have a bunch of Star Wars tshirts that I wear to school and my Professor in College is also a huge Star Wars fan too.
There’s a lot of us fans out there Katie and we totally support you so don’t let anyone tell you any different. Do you what makes you happy and if that’s bringing your Star Wars water bottle to school (I wish I had one
) then so be it. PLUS you know those boys are only teasing you because they’re jealous 
Chin up kiddo! And May the Force be with you
Chelsea
Hey Katie ^^
There’s nothing wrong with you loving Star Wars! Don’t listen to boys when they tell you Star Wars is not for girls! They are just jealous because you have an awesome water bottle!
Being bullied is never fun, I was when I was in middle school, and people still look at me funny when I start being enthusiastic about stuff like Star Wars, Doctor Who or Terminator. They think I’m not a real girl unless I wear pink and dress in a skirt. So what? I’m proud of what I love! And my fandoms have some awesome girls! ^^
And remember, you are awesome too !
Selene
Don’t listen to those boys Katie. It’s awesome you Like Star Wars. I wish there were more girls who liked Stars Wars.
I was bullied, teaser and made fun of for liking Star Wars, byt kids my own age and even family members! Because of it, I lost my interest, but since I met a new friend who is a huge fan as well, my interest is back and even more huge! lol
Star Wars rocks and if others can’t see that, its there lose!
Hello Katie,
I have always been into Star Wars; I saw Ep. IV seven times at the cinema when it was first released in 1977!
I have always been into SciFi and geeky stuff! And like you, I was bullied at school because of it. Even when I went back to college when I was in my 30s, someone there tried to bully me because *she* decided it was wrong for me to be into SciFi. I didn’t agree with her and told her so, and that it was none of her business what I liked!
I believe that bullies are very insecure people, and they cannot deal with people who make up their own minds about things because it makes them feel stupid for not thinking for themselves…but you stick to your guns, Katie (or lightsabers!), and don’t ever change because someone tells you you’re wrong. THEY are wrong!
Anyway, I am now 47, with grown-up geeky children of my own who think it’s great to have such a geeky mum! I run my own videogames company, and I play games a lot too.
Have you played the Lego Star Wars games? They rock!
I am still a big darn SciFi geek too – and always will be! And that makes me very, very cool and shiny….just like you are!
If all those people who bullied me had had their way, I’d be as dull as I’m sure they are by now… as it is, even though I may not be travelling through space, my life is still one big adventure! Apart from the grown-up things like chores!
Make your life an adventure too, Katie, because I’ll tell you what – the world is full of wonders…and they’re there waiting for you to discover them!
Viver felice!
Nicole x
Katie,
I have a daughter, age 10, and we get together when Stat Wars comes on. We both watch the movies and television series. I hope that you realize that what those boys are doing is wrong. Just ignore those fellas. You enjoy what makes you happy, especially with your parents. I grew up in the 70’s and had the original trilogy to watch. I was made fun of for keeping and still collecting during that time. Now those fellas wish that they would have kept up with it also. Take care.
MTFBWY