I am a Star Wars fan.
I watched A New Hope when it was just called Star Wars.
I was tiny.
After watching it, I asked my mom why they never showed the lions. She was confused. There are no lions in Star Wars and no reason to think there should be. I kept asking about the lions that they talked about but never showed. At some point I finally added another word.
“You know, how Darth Vader said Princess Leia was with the Rebal lions.”
Aha! Mom figured out what I thought I heard. Then she explained there weren’t any lions. They were talking about an “alliance.” It means a bunch of friends that work together to do something. In this case, it was to fight Darth Vader and the Empire.
Our Rebel Alliance
In the past couple of years, I have watched the Star Wars series, Andor. The writing and story-telling is phenomenal. I hope I can someday frame concepts as well as Tony Gilroy and have dialogue as bold and echoing as I experienced watching those episodes.
One of the aspects of the Andor story were ALL the different people working together to make this Rebel Alliance. There were people with power. People with nothing. People with ideals. People looking to make a few credits. People with conviction. People with doubts. People who were broken. People who had everything stolen from them. People who lived a double life. People who only stepped in a couple times. People who sat on the sidelines until a friend was caught in the fight and they had to choose to step forward. All sorts of people came together to play a part in making the Rebellion real and possible.
One of the coolest “Easter egg moments” for me was the exchange between a bellhop on Ghorman and Cassian Andor. In an earlier meeting the young man, called Thela, mentioned that his father had been killed by the Empire and was one of those represented in the town’s memorial. Later, when he realizes that Cassian is actively working against the Empire, the bellhop assists him.
Cassian Andor: I hope things work out for you.
Thela: Rebellions are built on hope.
This is a magical moment, because in Rogue One (which was made years ago, but takes place chronologically later than Andor) there’s a passing of the torch of Hope between Cassian and Jyn Erso. Jyn is skeptical when their plans depend on a meeting that Cassian is hoping to make happen.
Jyn Erso (scoffing): Hope?
Cassian Andor: Rebellions are built on hope.
Later in the movie, when others learn of Jyn’s impossible-seeming plan, they push back. “
Tynnra Pamlo: You expect us to invade an Imperial installation based on nothing but hope?
Jyn Erso: Rebellions are built on hope.
It is a beautiful legacy, the contagion of hope.
But I also love the kernel of truth that Tony Gilroy illustrates…
Hope is rebellious.
Hope is a radical act.
Hope isn’t naïve — it’s defiant.
It’s a refusal to let circumstances dictate identity.
It’s a quiet uprising against despair.
So, what is your evil Empire?
What is it that you are resisting? What is the thing (or things) that you are fighting against?
Here’s a list from my own life (past and present):
- Depression. Literal despair. Both my own and that of my child who was at times suicidal.
- Racism. I live in the South and I’m white. I hear and see enough to know it ain’t dead yet.
- Addiction. As a teen, my father converted to a religion that discouraged drinking, smoking, and addictive substances. That saved his life, because he had an addict’s brain. He self-medicated through other means. It wasn’t always pretty. However, in the decade before he died, he found ways to master himself. He found peace.
- Systems of oppression. I am involved in the disability community. I see the larger culture that casts disabled individuals as saints, charlatans, victims, and sinners. I see people trying to survive on tiny monthly benefits. I have friends who have been fired because of their disability, but with the excuse that they “didn’t fit the culture.” I bet y’all could name a dozen other types of unfairness you’ve witnessed – unfairness that is baked into the system.
- Gossip. I’ve been the victim. Unfortunately, I’ve also been the perpetrator. With social media in all its forms, a little sullying of someone’s name can do incredible damage.
- Dehumanization. Whether demonizing an opposing party or calling groups of people animals, immediately assuming someone killed “had it coming,” or other demeaning labels, don’t go there. Every person should be treated with dignity.
- Rage. Honestly. I’ve been sitting with anger and frustration a lot. It is hard to find my way out when I’m stuck there.
Use Hope as a tool of Rebellion
Whether you are resisting your evil Empire or downright doing battle, find Hope. Use it as a tool. Find stories of people who stood up to racism, who brought justice, who made it through addiction recovery. Listen to friends who made mistakes and learned from them, who changed for the better. Listen to stories of family members or ancestors who did hard things under difficult circumstances. You may not be facing the Dust Bowl. You may not be a recovering alcoholic. You may not be a member of the Freedom Riders. You may not be marching in a protest.
But if they could do it, why can’t you?
Rely on those who already overcame challenges.
Use them as an inspiration until you have your own story.
What if you’re overwhelmed or exhausted right now? What if you can only put one foot in front of another. That’s okay. You keep on doing what you can for now. That’s called resilience.
Resilience is strategic rebellion, not just survival
Resilience is holding firm. Resilience is holding the line. Resilience is defending the ground you’ve already won, knowing you will gain more ground tomorrow or next week.
Resilience is holding on until you can do a little more.
There’s no shame in that. In fact, it’s worth celebrating.
Give yourself a pat on the back then give yourself a pep talk. Dig into your memories. Find those moments when you made that choice that was difficult but the right thing to do. Remind yourself that you did the right thing then, and you can do it again.
You are a rebel.
You are a rebel that trusts in hope.
You believe things can get better.
You can make things better – you and a friend. You and a hundred friends. You and a thousand friends.
We can do this.
You and me.
All of us.
Together, we have hope.
We are the Rebel Alliance.
Okay, I have THREE songs for today’s blog. Pick whichever one gets your courage up and your blood pumping.
Back Up Plan (Feat. Luke Combs) – Bailey Zimmerman
Reignite – Malukah
Warriors – Imagine Dragons
Or use those to start your own Rebel Playlist.