A History of Racial Equality in the Star Wars Saga

By: Gojo

WARNING:

HUGE SPOILERS ABOUT THERE BEING A BLACK GUY IN THE NEW STAR WARS MOVIE AHEAD!

Movie fans and other people alike were abuzz with excitement when a teaser for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Wakes Up was revealed earlier this year. As the first look at the new Star Wars film, it caused a whirlwind of speculation, anticipation, and controversy amongst Star Wars fans. No small part of that controversy (Or maybe it was small. I’m just learning about it as I write this.) was the opening shot, revealing British and African-American-British actor John Boyega in a Stormtrooper-looking costume! A black Stormtrooper? Way to start your teaser off strong J.J.!

Some have criticized the Star Wars saga for its lack of racial diversity. They are self-righteous dicks who just need to learn to enjoy cinema. They are also wrong. The saga has literally several characters of African-American-Space persuasion. I will attempt to highlight the more notable ones for you now.

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LANDO CALRISSIAN

Smooth ladies’ man and scoundrel Lando Calrissian hardly needs an introduction. The Baron Administrator of Cloud City is as integral to the Rebellion as Wedge Antilles or Crix Madine. Since he also blew up the second Death Star, he may have the highest body count in the whole series. After the Civil War business dried up, he put on some pounds and started shilling for Colt .45. Not a bad career arc.

MACE WINDU

A black Jedi! Racial equality +1! Mace Windu overtook Lando for most prominent African-American-Space Guy in the saga, being in all three of the prequel movies. It is also a movie record for actor Samuel L. Jackson, for most cumulative time without uttering a swear. Unfortunately for Mace and Sam, he suffered a highly embarrassing death, having his hand lopped off by a man-child and being launched from a skyscraper by an old man with a butt face.

CAPTAIN PANAKA

The head of emotionless Natalie Portman’s Royal Guard, Captain Quarsh (I shit you not) Panaka’s biggest contribution to the saga is acting as Wet Blanket Prime, constantly advising against whatever action the real heroes of the movie decide to take.

NABOO GUARD BARAS PEROSEI

Mega diversity points to Queen Amidala. There are at least two more black guys on the Royal Guard, but I couldn’t find their names, so here’s Baras Perosei, who probably shot at a lot things and missed them. Not to be confused with Representative Nancy Pelosi, who is white, and a woman. And not from space.

GRIZZ FRIX

X-Wing pilot at the second Death Star battle. Grizz Frix destroyed the shield generator for the Super Star Destroyer Executor, but could not escape the ensuing explosion. Well known for his stirring line, “It’s gonna blow.” (Possibly referring to prequels?) He died a hero’s death. Unfortunately, his name is still Grizz Frix.

WILLROW HOOD

You may never have noticed Willrow Hood. Who am I kidding? Of course you did. He’s that doofy bro running out of Cloud City carrying an Ice Cream Maker. He even has his own fan site. http://web.archive.org/web/20020820112103/www.geocities.com/ocb75

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Well, there you have it. Space diversity on parade. We didn’t even go into all of the various alien characters who could be honorable mentions. Darth Maul? Actually black. Bail Organa? He’s played by Jimmy Smits, who looks vaguely ethnic. Ree-yees? Uhh, maybe. Jek Porkins? Not at all black, but he’s fun to talk about anyway. And with the prospect of many more Star Wars films around the bend, who knows? We may be able to bump this list up to an even dozen. The future of diversity is bright indeed in that galaxy far, far away!

Gojo is an occasional contributor to the Midwest Film Nerds Podcast, despite knowing next to nothing about movies that aren’t Star Wars. Gojo is a white guy, but he is fully qualified to talk and joke about race, because he has a friend who is black. Gojo lives in his white friend’s basement with two cats who attack him constantly.

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