Does racism also exist in a galaxy far, far away?
Apparently so, if one considers the reaction to the trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
While millions of Star Wars fans could barely contain their excitement after the release of the teaser snippet last week, some were less than complimentary about the inclusion of a black actor among the ranks of the stormtroopers.
The actor in question, John Boyega, posted a calm reply to his detractors on Instagram. “To whom it may concern ... Get used to it.”
His commendable response was in stark contrast to the vile comments left on Youtube.
“The black stormtroopers is probally stealing his comrades speeder bikes and shoot his blaster nigguh-gangster style,” read one particularly crude post.
Another questioned if director JJ Abrams had bowed to social pressure in casting a black man. “I had a feeling the new Star Wars is going to be filled with PC, SJW [social justice warrior] trash”. The #blackstormtrooper hashtag was initially dominated by fans who seemed to share this view.
Thankfully, the force for good is strong among Star Wars fans. The hashtag has since been overrun with messages complaining about the initial outrage, and many have posted memes in support of Boyega.
The argument has since morphed into a technical discussion about the legitimacy of a black stormtrooper in a movie set 30 years after Return of the Jedi. At issue is Jango Fett, a character who served as the genetic template for the stormtroopers. Fett was played by Temuera Derek Morrison, a New Zealand actor with Maori ancestory.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, will be released in December 2015. - Tonight Reporter