When 7-year-old Katie Goldman was bullied at school for drinking from a Star Wars water-bottle (Star Wars “is for boys”), her mom was dismayed, and shared her feelings on her blog, along with pictures of the thoroughly adorable Katie.
What happened next is my favorite kind of Internet Smurfs’ Family Christmas moments: girl geeks from all over the world, including members of the Star Wars cast, sent letters of support to Katie, a kind of nerdy version of “It Gets Better,” culminating with a shower of LucasFilm merch (Katie has generously offered to share this with her classmates, who apparently have rethought the gendering of Star Wars).
“I immediately had to say something,” Taber said. “The whole theme of the ‘Star Wars’ universe is an anti-bullying theme. It’s good versus evil, standing side by side with your friends, doing what’s right. One of the most important things to stopping bullies in their tracks is to empower kids to stand up for themselves.”Taber found Katie’s mom’s blog, sent it to everyone she knew, and left a comment she hoped would help.
“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,” Taber wrote. “I know that Padme would tell you to be proud of who YOU are and know that you are not ALONE!
“THE FORCE is with you Katie!”
‘The Force’ is with you, Katie
(Thanks, DonnieBNYC, via Submitterator!)