What the World Can Learn From Star Wars Rebels

I remember back in 2016 when I watched episode 16, season 2 of Star Wars Rebels. Of course, it is only a children’s show but that one episode had one line that inspired me and rewatching it still brings shivers up my back. During the episode, Hera Syndulla, a main protagonist in the show, emphasizes to her father, Cham Syndulla, the similarities between the Rebel Alliance and her father’s own struggle to free his home planet. She says “during the clone war, you didn’t just fight for a village, you rallied everyone to liberate the whole planet”.

The environment of the Star Wars galaxy is hugely different from ours but that doesn’t mean we can’t take away lessons from it. On Ryloth, their ultimate goal was to rid the empire of their planet. We are currently dealing with a global pandemic, among numerous other matters, such as recovering from the recent Beirut explosion, police brutality, bushfires in Australia, dozens of shootings, earthquakes, airplane crashes, tensions in the Middle East, and the list goes on.

With all that is happening, the nations of the world should aim to achieve a common goal rather than one that fulfills solely their own needs. There must be unity if there is going to be global development.

For example, say four children each have ten building blocks. They are all building their own structures with their blocks. Their buildings are all relatively small and stout because there is only so much that can be done with ten blocks. However, if they decide to combine their blocks and work together towards a common goal, they can build taller, wider, or more intricate buildings.

This is, sadly, only an optimistic viewpoint of the situation. Too often, do people let their own interests cloud the situation.

What if one of the children wanted to build a spaceship when another wanted to build a tower? It is when one party decides that their ideas are superior it doesn't work.

The coronavirus has demonstrated how selfish people are. There are thousands of people across the nation that are not wearing masks because they are “uncomfortable” at the expense of others. Masks, proven by science, is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of the virus. However, some people believe that their comfort is more important than the safety of others.

2020 has shown us a glimpse at a very dreadful future. Each and every one of us, as a citizen of the world, must help to change that, whether it's wearing a mask, donating to charity, or supporting small businesses. We must work together, regardless of race, regardless of social standing, regardless of faith. Like what Hera said, do not fight for just your country, fight for all of the good in humanity.