The Trouble with Star Wars

Star Wars is the iconic sci-fi story of a generation, focusing on the perpetual battle between light and dark. The Jedi, paragons of all  that is light and good, fight against the Sith; a dark force attempting by force to unite the galaxy under one single ruler.

The tenets of the Jedi order focus on mastering  your own emotions, creating knowledge, serenity, harmony and everlasting life. This seems good in its essence, but it comes with the cost of passion, and chaos. The concept of chaos is an interesting one to think about here, as through most of the movie timeline the Sith are trying to make the galaxy a galactic empire; an ordered , structured hierarchy. Surely this is the opposite of chaotic. Meanwhile the Jedi exist as part of a rebel faction, rebelling against the empire. Is this not the definition of chaos?

The Sith follow similar yet distinct tenets. They reject the traditional idea of peace, choosing only the passion that exists within oneself and using this to gain power and thus freedom. It seems odd that for a culture so focused on freedom, their main way of controlling people is through  slavery. And if passion is so highly prized, why are their soldiers all the same faceless masks.

The appearance of the Jedi and the Sith seem juxtaposed with the ideals of each set of religious tenets. The Jedi express themselves in flairs to their lightsabers, clothing and tattoos. The Sith have a more unified appearance showing the abject lack of passion in their black attire and solid red sabers. Likewise the Jedi act passionately to save lives, while the Sith take them callously and without remorse.

Though this opposition in the nature of the factions is interesting, it is the storyline of Star Wars that most gives me pause. The empire that the Jedi are fighting against exists due to unproductive and slow governing of the galaxy, so to more effectively implement change, the empire was formed. So instead of acknowledging that there may be a problem with governance and attempting to rectify this, the powers that be go to war against the empire.

The mirroring of this situation in the world as it stands, is why I write this. Though Star Wars is a fantasy world with a fictional story line, there are elements which are familiar. For instance The war on Drugs that the western world is a massive part of is a battle we are fighting due to a lack of social care existing in many parts of the world. People struggling with mental health issues, or just those needing escape, partake in experiences that give them pleasure and freedom. Where the state says we should be happy with what we have, people need to feel like they have power over their own lives and freedom from emotionless and passionless work.

The perpetual war we face against eastern, often Islamic, powers echoes that between the Jedi and the Sith. The West forcing adoption of our principles and way of life, the East wanting passion and freedom in their beliefs and practices.

The mirroring of Star Wars to our world saddens me. Especially since the movies focus on the wars had between the two religions, neither of which can be considered, in itself, to be good or evil. The ideal story line to be portrayed in these trying  times, is one of co-operation through diplomacy and the celebration of differences and similarities between these two factions instead of heralding one as the paragon of light and good. A movie from the perspective of the Sith would not go amiss either.

Would it not be a good thing to have our media portray the solution to conflict as unity for once….