
Life imitates art.. Art imitates life...
After Monday's Tragedy at Virgina Tech my heart and mind searches for answers, understanding, and closure to the horrific and gruesome events. My deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers go out to students, families, alumni, staff, faculty, and the community of Virginia Tech and Virginia.
I don't know if my mind uses Star Wars to help me cope or understand these tragic events.. When we try to relate a tragedy or accident we always say.. I felt like I was in a movie..It was just like a movie..
I couldn't help to think about the Younglings and Padawans in the Temple.
The clearing of the Jedi Temple was, at one point, very poignant. When Anakin enters the council's chambers, and a youngling steps up to him and says, "Master Skywalker, there's too many of them, what do we do?"
You can feel the tension, the despair of these children.
The notable exception I mentioned above comes when Bail Organa attempts to enter the Temple, and is told that it's dangerous by a squad of stormtroopers. As he's walking back to his ship, a youngling comes out of nowhere and goes. to. town. on that squad. He is killed, yes. But he went out valiantly. The horror these children had to have faced with the onslaught of Darth Vader and the 501st.
The heroes that day were the Jedi Masters, Knights, and Padawans that gave their lives to protect the Padawans from the Clones.
I think about the before and after... I think about Anakin's slaying of the Tusken Raiders huge red flags.. Mace, and Obi Wan Kenobi must know..
Yoda does intervene..
"Careful, you must be when sensing the future Anakin. The fear of loss is a path to the Dark side.... Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is."
-Master Yoda
Yet, they do nothing.. Anakin slays the leadership of the Confederacy.
Then Anakin chokes his wife, mother of his children in rage.. and attempts to kill his best friend and master Obi Wan Kenobi.
Imagine the horrors Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda found in the Temple. The realization of "the Chosen One", former Padawan, and friend had committed these acts against Padawans brings Yoda and Obi Wan Kenobi to their knees with grief of the enormity of the tragedy that has occurred.
Can Obi Wan Kenobi and Padme forgive Anakin for his acts? Could he truly ever be redeemed?
Yoda says Darth Vader has been twisted by the darkside and must be destroyed.
While the prequels humanize Darth Vader. Darth Vader committed irreprehensible acts of atrocity against foes, friends, family, and self.
Star Wars reflects all aspects of world culture and American culture..
Good, bad, ugly, and real..
While George Lucas receives criticism for these horrific "events" in his Star Wars movies but, these reflected "events' are actual events that have been ingrained into our American culture and World culture (AOTC the bombing of the Queen's ship, ROTS Temple Assault, CIS slayings, and Bush Empire references) .
As the dark chapter of ROTS ends Yoda, Obi Wan, Bail Organa, and the Skywalker Twins are our "A New Hope", a light in the darkness and a hope for a bright future for the galaxy.
To all my Star Wars Family..
I send through the Force.. Love, Hope, Strength, Faith and Healing.
Gods Speed..
CE