PERSPECTIVES (5/24)

George Lucas is an Uncle Tom

Film critic Sahuid LeBuer explains why the Star Wars franchise openly promotes slavery

by Sahuid LeBuer

Star Wars mania has swept the world yet again with the opening of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. In the final chapter of George Lucas' saga, Anakin Skywalker embraces the 'Dark Side' and becomes Darth Vader.

The film is not without controversy either, many have accused Lucas of drawing parallels between the evil Emperor and President Bush. While pundits argue about the politics of Star Wars, no one is discussing what I believe to be the most dangerous idea presented in the films: The shameless promotion of slavery.

What...you don't believe me? What about R2-D2 and C3PO? Time and time again throughout the saga, these robots are traded, sold, restrained, ordered around and sent on mission after suicide mission. They are never given a voice in the debate of what to do next, nor are they given a choice in whether or not they participate. Again and again these robots are shot, blown-up and ripped apart only to be repaired by their masters and forced to continue their lives of servitude.

By the late 1970's, when the first film was released, a progressive tide of equality had swept the ideology of the U.S. Lucas could no longer proceed with his plan to have actual African American slaves in the films. The idea to use two droids instead was made at the last minute by studio executives over Lucas' objections. He went along with the plan, but insisted that the droids speak in an Ebonic dialect and eat watermelon for fuel. Studio execs also vetoed that idea, but Lucas would have the last laugh.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace premiered in 1999 and with it came a new character--Jar Jar Binks. Binks is a slow-witted creature with a Rastafarian accent and ears that look like dreadlocks...need I say more? At no point in the film, however, does Jar Jar consume watermelon or any other food commonly associated with the African Americans (fried chicken, chitterlings, cracklins, fatback, ham hocks, hog maws, pigs feet, ribs, collard greens, sweet potatoes, dirt pie, cornbread, grits, etc.)

Though the droid slaves in the Star Wars films seem to be reasonably well-treated, it still does not dismiss the fact that they are being held against their will and without pay. My critics would say that the droids are perfectly happy with their lives and their owners. Then what of R2-D2's daring and ingenious escape attempt in Episode IV: A New Hope?

But Lucas' racism isn't just limited to the films themselves, a game (Slaves from Star Wars) has sprung up on a Star Wars Web site which allows players to buy characters from Episode III as slaves. Some may say that George Lucas has nothing to do with the site or the game. Oh yeah? Well last time I checked, Lucas owned the copyright to all of his characters--someone can't just use them without his explicit permission.

In conclusion, I present my final piece of evidence as to why George Lucas is an Uncle Tom. In Episode III when Anakin Skywalker is a Jedi Knight, his voice is that of Hayden Christensen, a white actor. When he becomes Darth Vader his voice is that of James Earl Jones, an African American. Why is he a white guy when he's good and a black guy when he turns bad? And for that matter, what's up with the whole "dark" side thing anyway?

On The Web

Salon.com: Lucas' racist stereotypes
antislavery.org

Sahuid LeBuer is a graduate student at the University of North Texas, working towards a master's degree in African American studies. He may be contacted at sbl4215@unt.edu