"In a dedicated study of the Star Wars trilogies spanning from 1977 to 2019, Greg Carter contextualizes the popular franchise and its fandom through a critical mixed race studies framework. The project primarily examines the five-decade Star Wars phenomenon historically since, as Carter states, the films mirror the dominant beliefs in American society. Just as many have assumed the movies lack racial issues, some have claimed that the United States has reached a "post-racial" state where racial difference is irrelevant. I'd Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee applies theoretical frameworks posited by Stuart Hall and bell hooks to this analysis of Star Wars as a portrait of post-civil rights era race relations in the United States. Though the franchise has perpetuated toxicity, racism, and sexism, each of which have roots in longstanding currents of American thinking, Carter showcases the perspectives of minority fans, intellectuals, and performances at a time when many recognize their centrality in the meaning of Americanness. With the surplus of spinoffs in the Star Wars franchise, Carter limits his study to the three trilogies of the Skywalker Saga. In the original trilogy, Carter looks at the racial ambiguity present in Darth Vader's cyborg body as well as the whiteness inherent to Princess Leia and the tropes incorporated in her narrative. While examining how the prequel trilogy built the Star Wars world, the study hones in on the family-narrative structure in addition to the actors of color introduced. The chapters that focus on the sequel trilogy rely on a variety of minority geek voices to reveal their underappreciated perspectives, using these perspectives to understand the fandom "ships" and the amplified animosity after The Last Jedi (2017). The authorconducts this analysis all while asking: what is the story of Star Wars, especially for those outside of the white cis-male audience?"--
How the Star Wars trilogies and their fandoms have engaged with and mirrored American beliefs about race and gender.
How the Star Wars trilogies and their fandoms have engaged with and mirrored American beliefs about race and gender.
The Star Wars saga takes place in a galaxy far, far away, but its social structuresin particular its racial realitiesare thoroughly American. So argues Greg Carter in this thought-provoking analysis, which blends historical and theoretical treatments of science fiction cinema and Star Wars fandom to explore the subtle mirroring between fantasy and the communities that create and consume it.
Id Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee draws on insights from prominent scholars to examine fictional relationships between groups perceived to be biologically different. Three areas of commonality between the United States and Star Wars arise: stiff regulation of racial mixture; racialized servitude, with nonhumans placed in positions of bondage; and the presumption of white male supremacy. None of these are functions of the of the Star Wars story; rather, they index the expectations of US society. But expectations have also shifted since Star Wars launched in 1977, and the franchise with it. Carter gauges minority and mainstream fan reactions, finding that, while science fiction enthusiasts have a reputation for progressiveness, the truth turns out to be as complicated as US racism itself.
