The first step into a larger world…
Two young girls passed through the large convention center doors and walked onto the floor of the Las Vegas Comic Con. It was March 2016 and The Force Awakens had just reignited a fanbase and, more importantly, brought new ones into the fold. I was off to the side, both leading the way and trying to very much stay out of it, and the girl’s mother, my cousin Michelle, was trying to do the same. As we passed the threshold into the convention, the girl’s eyes widen. Maggie, ten, dressed as Kylo Ren, and Madeline, nine, dressed as Rey, gazed out on the waves and waves of vendor booths, collector displays, creative cosplayers, and, just simply, fans. Families, friends, strangers. All of them connected by a love of stories, movies, characters, costumes, and little plastic pieces of their memories and inspirations. Maggie and Madeline both smiled in their Star Wars costumes and literally took their first steps into a large world.
Star Wars is a magnificent world to be a part of. Overall fandom is as well, which makes those conventions so much fun, but Star Wars has that extra special feeling of community and connection. Even in these loud, raucous times where social media can amplify the worst in every group, the core of the Star Wars community will always be built on the shared joy of stepping into that larger world. Its core is stronger than the negative forces that crash against it. I believe that comes from that flame of fandom we all light that very first time. At first, it is a small candle you have lit by yourself. You’re not sure if others love this with the same fervor as you do. You’re not sure if you’re supposed to love it with the fervor you do. Some were told you can’t love it. Then, the doors open up to the entire breadth of the Star Wars fandom and make that connection stronger. It makes it unbreakable.
As the franchise continues to grow and the nostalgia trade along with it, it can be a little easier to take the whole thing for granted. The characters and stories have rolled out in front of your eyes for so long and you’ve spent so much of your time wondering what it all means and breaking down every piece of information, that one can’t be considered wrong for just wanting to take a breath or a step back. I understand. I’ve been there as well. But none of that erases the first step you took toward Star Wars. That love is always there.
Star Wars is best analyzed, appreciated, and understood by adults. However, Star Wars is best loved by children. Sometimes you have to go back to that. As I watched Maggie stride through the convention as Kylo Ren, cape menacingly flowing behind her in the wind, and Madeline beaming as Rey, lightsaber proudly at her side, I was reminded, once again, of the first moments we all looked at the world of Star Wars and realized we belonged there.