Racists call for boycott to protest diverse cast of 'Star Wars VI: The Force Awakens'

British actor John Boyega will have a key role in Star Wars Vii.

IN A GALAXY, far, far away, racism doesn't exist.

But in the far reaches of the Milky Way in the edge of one of the spatial arms, that tiny blue and white planet orbiting a medium star, racism is alive and well and threatening to destroy all of humankind.

The release of the trailer promoting the seventh and latest rendition of the Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has awaken another kind of evil force in a group of so-called Star War fans calling for a boycott of the new movie because it features people of color in leading roles.

While reading this post, we have to remind ourselves that the objectors represent a tiny fraction of the Euro/Americans and their actions do not reflect the beliefs of the vast majority of the good Euro/Americans, many of whom I count as friends.

Having said that - damn - I am constantly amazed how ignorant some people are!

The trolls have launched a Twitter hashtag #BoycottStarWarsVII." Their action is so preposterous that it has to be a huge practical joke, right? Nevertheless, they've found others who think like them and the hashtag has gone viral. Here are examples of their  extreme paranoia:

Apparently, they're angry that a black stormtrooper is shown in the trailer and is one of the main protagonists, that a black woman has a major role and a Latino is one of the daring fighter pilots. I'm surprised that they aren't bothered because a woman appears to be the central character instead of a white male.

During a panel in San Diego's ComicCon earlier this year, the director JJ Abrams was asked if there were any Asians in the movie. Abrams cleverly answered that he wished that if he could, he'd cast the whole movie with Asians, which elicited audience laughter. 

"We wanted the movie to look the way the world looks," he continued. "And I think it is important that people see themselves represented in film. I think it is not a small thing. So I completely understand and think your question is hugely important. And it was a big consideration."

Thus far, though, only one Asian, British actress Christina Chong, is confirmed to have been cast in a minor role. We'll just have to wait and see. I hope I'm wrong but Abrams - like so many who should know better - might be among those who view the world primarily in black in white.

Christina Chong

Star Wars: Episode VII stars Adam Driver, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Lupita Nyong'o, as well as familiar faces like Mark Hammil, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher; the latter three whiter than white but their roles aren't the leads that they were when they were younger.

The angry whites (sorry, we have to assume they are white) must have forgotten that the color line has already been broken in the Star Wars universe: 

• Cloud City administrator Lando Calrissian, played by Billy Dee Williams in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
• Queen Padmé Amidala’s royal security force was led by Captain Quarsh Panaka, played by Hugh Quarshie in The Phantom Menace.
• Samuel L Jackson played Jedi Master Mace Windu.
• Jango Fett, a bounty hunter who became the genetic template for the Grand Army of the Republic, played by Temuera Morrison in in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
• The young bounty hunter Boba Fett was played by Daniel Logan in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.

And lest we forget, the great James Earl Jones provided the ominous voice for the infamous Darth Vader.

Despite Abrams efforts and the above-mentioned actors to diversify the Star Wars franchise, they comprise only a tiny fraction of the casts reflecting the general lack of diversity in Hollywood features.

One saving grace that has come out of this boycott nonsense is the reaction of Star Wars fans mocking the boycotters.

But why does this silliness matter? The haters that are spurring the boycott are just the top of the iceberg of pent-up fear that white males may be losing their position of power and privilege that they've had since this country was founded.

We have candidates for president saying racist things about immigrants and we have a faux news network fomenting the ignorant into action, i.e. the recent rash of arson attacks on Planned Parenthood clinics and houses of worship.

The entitlement and privilege enjoyed by white males for so long and carved into every institution in this country is teetering because of the changing demographics of America. There will be those cretins who will do anything to maintain the status quo.

Citizens United, the GOP presidential candidates, the Koch Bros. and #BoycottStarWarsVII  are all symptoms of one of the greatest threats facing the future of America - the white backlash.

There is more to the racist reaction to the new Stars Wars cast than pop culture puffery, behind it is something darker and more sinister - it's the Evil Empire's last gasp.

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