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I'd Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee: Uncovering Racialized Desire in the Star Wars Galaxy
How the Star Wars trilogies and their fandoms have engaged with and mirrored American beliefs about race and gender.

The Star Wars saga takes place in a galaxy far, far away, but its social structures—in particular its racial realities—are thoroughly American. So argues Greg Carter in this thought-provoking analysis, which blends historical and theoretical treatments of science fiction cinema and Star Wars fandom to explore the subtle mirroring between fantasy and the communities that create and consume it.

I’d Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee draws on insights from prominent scholars to examine fictional relationships between groups perceived to be biologically different. Three areas of commonality between the United States and Star Wars arise: stiff regulation of racial mixture; racialized servitude, with nonhumans placed in positions of bondage; and the presumption of white male supremacy. None of these are functions of the of the Star Wars story; rather, they index the expectations of US society. But expectations have also shifted since Star Wars launched in 1977, and the franchise with it. Carter gauges minority and mainstream fan reactions, finding that, while science fiction enthusiasts have a reputation for progressiveness, the truth turns out to be as complicated as US racism itself.

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I'd Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee: Uncovering Racialized Desire in the Star Wars Galaxy
How the Star Wars trilogies and their fandoms have engaged with and mirrored American beliefs about race and gender.

The Star Wars saga takes place in a galaxy far, far away, but its social structures—in particular its racial realities—are thoroughly American. So argues Greg Carter in this thought-provoking analysis, which blends historical and theoretical treatments of science fiction cinema and Star Wars fandom to explore the subtle mirroring between fantasy and the communities that create and consume it.

I’d Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee draws on insights from prominent scholars to examine fictional relationships between groups perceived to be biologically different. Three areas of commonality between the United States and Star Wars arise: stiff regulation of racial mixture; racialized servitude, with nonhumans placed in positions of bondage; and the presumption of white male supremacy. None of these are functions of the of the Star Wars story; rather, they index the expectations of US society. But expectations have also shifted since Star Wars launched in 1977, and the franchise with it. Carter gauges minority and mainstream fan reactions, finding that, while science fiction enthusiasts have a reputation for progressiveness, the truth turns out to be as complicated as US racism itself.

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I'd Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee: Uncovering Racialized Desire in the Star Wars Galaxy

I'd Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee: Uncovering Racialized Desire in the Star Wars Galaxy

by Greg Carter
I'd Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee: Uncovering Racialized Desire in the Star Wars Galaxy

I'd Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee: Uncovering Racialized Desire in the Star Wars Galaxy

by Greg Carter

Overview

How the Star Wars trilogies and their fandoms have engaged with and mirrored American beliefs about race and gender.

The Star Wars saga takes place in a galaxy far, far away, but its social structures—in particular its racial realities—are thoroughly American. So argues Greg Carter in this thought-provoking analysis, which blends historical and theoretical treatments of science fiction cinema and Star Wars fandom to explore the subtle mirroring between fantasy and the communities that create and consume it.

I’d Just as Soon Kiss a Wookiee draws on insights from prominent scholars to examine fictional relationships between groups perceived to be biologically different. Three areas of commonality between the United States and Star Wars arise: stiff regulation of racial mixture; racialized servitude, with nonhumans placed in positions of bondage; and the presumption of white male supremacy. None of these are functions of the of the Star Wars story; rather, they index the expectations of US society. But expectations have also shifted since Star Wars launched in 1977, and the franchise with it. Carter gauges minority and mainstream fan reactions, finding that, while science fiction enthusiasts have a reputation for progressiveness, the truth turns out to be as complicated as US racism itself.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781477331590
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Publication date: 06/03/2025
Pages: 256
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

Table of Contents

  • List of Illustrations
  • Preface
  • Introduction
  • Chapter 1. The History of On-Screen Science Fiction Interracial Intimacy (1902-1987)
  • Chapter 2. What Are You, Darth Vader? (1977-1980)
  • Chapter 3. Early Fanship, the Invisible Jetpack, and Black Fans (1977-1982)
  • Chapter 4. Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, and Fan Imaginations (1977-1983)
  • Chapter 5. Don’t Ask the Prequels Where Babies Come From (1999-2005)
  • Chapter 6. Four Ships Sailed. Which Would Land? (2012-2016)
  • Chapter 7. Social Media, Fans, and Interracial Relationships (2015-2020)
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • Index
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