Happy Star Wars Day!
Right now, it may seem like the Dark Side has taken control of the universe. But there’s hope; there’s always hope.
Even if you’re not a Star Wars super fan, you have probably participated in—or at least heard of—May the Fourth, the unofficial Star Wars holiday
A meme on the Star Wars line “May the force be with you,” the phrase first appeared on a day in a decade far, far away, (OK, May 4, 1979), on the day Margaret Thatcher began her run as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, when her political party, the Conservatives, placed a congratulatory advertisement in The London Evening News, saying “May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations.”
It quickly got picked up by Star Wars fans; the fan-created unofficial holiday’s first large organization was celebrated in 2011. Use of the meme exploded after commercialism invaded in 2012 when Disney purchased LucasFilm. Ah, marketing.
Now, you can pick up anything from a Star Wars-themed sewing machine to a TIE Fighter Bluetooth speaker to an R2-D2 screwdriver to help you with your home repair projects. (Collectors take note: You will have to open the package to use them.)
This year, the franchise has released a video that carries with it a message of hope. Halfway through the one minute, 40 second video, amid clips of Star Wars productions from the original 1977 movie until now, a voice carries on line that speaks volumes: “When you find people who need your help, you help them—no matter what.”
In the galaxy of right now, people are scared. More than three-quarters of the world is in quarantine status; some are having to teach their kids at home; many are doing some kind of at-home project; some are not working at all. Social distancing is taking its toll. The whole situation is causing anxiety and stress.
It’s a good time for a message of hope.
We have our own warriors here on Earth. Superheroes have traded their capes and light sabers in for scrubs and face masks, uniforms, aprons, and coveralls. And they run toward danger instead of away from it. You, too, can be a superhero by volunteering to help—there are hundreds of ways to do it without running into a fire.
So be brave, and May the Fourth Be With You.
And beware—tomorrow brings another unofficial, but not as popular holiday: Revenge of the Fifth (Sith)!
