Star Wars may be fictional, but “The Force” is very real within the fan universe.
When Carrie Goldman‘s first grade daughter Katie Goldman requested a boring pink water bottle instead of her usual Star Wars themed bottle, the mother became suspicious.
Katie, at just 7-years-old, was a Star Wars geek who picked up her sci-fi obsession from her father.
When Carrie began to press her daughter for an answer, she was met with tears from the young padawan who informed her mother that other kids were making fun of her at school because Star Wars is only for boys.
Katie had enough differences from her young, judgmental classmates already being an adopted Jewish girl with glasses who has to wear an eye patch for her lazy eye.
Carrie’s heart sank and shared with the readers of her blog, Portrait of Adoption:
“Is this how it starts? Do kids find someone who does something differently and start to beat it out of her, first with words and sneers? Must my daughter conform to be accepted?”
It wasn’t long before the Star Wars online community found Carries blogpost with the help of a sympathetic and self described Star Wars geek, Jen Yates, who reposted on her own blog asking her “fellow geeks” for help.
And help she got.
Carries blog exploded with 1,200 new readers leaving 3,000 comments in support of young Katie.
Katie’s story even transcended fan culture when actress (and fan) Catherine Taber, who voices Padme Amidala on the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, left a personal message for the young fan, saying:
“I am [the] actress who has the great honor of being Padme Amidala on ‘Star Wars: the Clone Wars!’ I just wanted to tell Katie that she is in VERY good company being a female Star Wars fans. I know that Padme would tell you to be proud of who YOU are and know that you are not ALONE!”
Since the story hit the Star Wars Universe, the alliance of fans have sent Katie letters, drawings, and even merchandise like clothing and a light saber to encourage her to continue to be herself.
Tom Kane, who voices Yoda, even escorted the Goldmans to a screening near their home!
Wow! After reading this, we know the force is for real!
Carrie was so amazed by the support her daughter got from this community of percieved outsiders, writing on her blog:
“What strikes me is how these individuals who were once so isolated are now part of a very tight community. They have found each other; they are plugged into each other, and they have each other’s backs. Now they have Katie’s back, too.”
On December 10, her school will host Proud To Be Me Day where ALL kids will be encouraged to wear something that shows what they’re interested in!
Let’s just hope Katie doesn’t forget her favorite Star Wars water bottle.
By the way Katie, if it helps, we love Star Wars too!