#gatekeepingsucks

Hey you! Yes, you—the asshole gatekeeper who keeps telling people that they can’t possibly like ‘new’ Star Wars if they also like ‘old’ Star Wars. You know what? Kindly go fuck yourself.

Star Wars - Episode 9 - 'Star Wars'

People are allowed to like both. Or only one and not the other. “But Jade! The people who say they’re fans now have only been fans since TFA! That doesn’t count!” Remember back in 1999 when Episode I came out and a whole bunch of new people were finally introduced to Star Wars? Remember how awesome it was to have new Star Wars content? Remember the people who screamed “George Lucas raped my childhood!!!!1111″? How many of those people are now the ones defending Lucas while shitting on Rian Johnson at every opportunity? I am just...so over it. All of it. My first introduction to Star Wars was catching part of Return of the Jedi on TV. I was hooked. My parents got me the (un-altered!) VHS set for my birthday in 1995. I was 12. That’s also when I was first active online, and fell in with a group of other Star Wars nerds in the WBS Star Wars Cantina chatroom.  I’m still really good friends with a lot of those nerds. From there I started reading the EU books; the YJK series came first, because at the time, I too was a teenager. I instantly felt attached to Jaina, but also wanted more of the story. So I read more EU books. And more. I cried when Chewie died. I weeped when Anakin died. I shipped Jaina with Zekk, and then with Kyp, and then finally with Jag. I was an absolute mess when Mara died. And when Jaina had to kill Jacen, I felt like I was being constantly punched in the gut for the entire book. Seeing Jaina finally get a happy ending was incredible, as was knowing there’d be more books featuring Jaina.

Star Wars - Episode 9 - 'Star Wars'

And then there wasn’t. I still have mixed feelings on the EU being wiped clean for new content. There was still so much potential for more. But I also realize that we’re still getting new Star Wars. Books, video games, comics, movies, and TV shows! That was something nobody thought would happen.  I’ve been slow to read new EU; it’s hard at times to forget the canon that had taken root in my head. Finding out that Coruscant was never the home of the New Republic? Was very weird. But! I’m enjoying seeing what/who they’re pulling back into canon. I’m enjoying getting more Star Wars. Most of all, I’m enjoying seeing my kids fall in love with Star Wars like I did.  So when asshole gatekeepers try to tell me that I’m a “Disney Shill” if I say I like the new stuff, then call me a “liar” and “crazy” when I point out that I’ve been a fan the majority of my life? I want to punch every single one of them in their stupid faces. Just...fuck off. And let people enjoy what they enjoy.