In December 2017, Disney released “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” a film that would become one of the most divisive among fans of the space saga. While some praised director Rian Johnson’s bold and humorous take, others thought it trashed much of the plot developed in its predecessor, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Long before the film hit theaters, it was announced that Kelly Marie Tran, a San Diego-born child of Vietnamese immigrants, would be playing maintenance-worker-turned-Resistance-hero Rose Tico. Her addition to the “Star Wars” universe was important because she’s the first prominent female Asian character in the series.
That’s when the sexist and racist bullying began for Tran.
Once the film opened in theaters, her “Star Wars” Wookieepedia entry was vandalized with racist comments. Her name there was changed to “Ch*ng Ch*ng Wing Tong” and a fake quote was attributed to her character: “Heil Hitler and I don’t know why I was casted [sic] in a good movie like Star Wars.”
After months of enduring racist and sexist comments from trolls, Tran deleted every photo on her Instagram page.
All she left was one message: “Afraid, but doing it anyway.”
Tran’s move inspired “The Last Jedi” director Rian Johnson and her costar, Mark Hamill, to stand up for her.
Done with this disingenuous bullshit. You know the difference between not liking a movie and hatefully harassing a woman so bad she has to get off social media. And you know which of those two we’re talking about here.
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) June 5, 2018
On social media a few unhealthy people can cast a big shadow on the wall, but over the past 4 years I’ve met lots of real fellow SW fans. We like & dislike stuff but we do it with humor, love & respect. We’re the VAST majority, we’re having fun & doing just fine. https://t.co/yhcShg5vdJ
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) June 5, 2018
What's not to love?#GetALifeNerds pic.twitter.com/k1sa0X1qpg
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) June 6, 2018
To counter the negativity spread by the trolls who harassed Tran, “Star Wars” fans picked up their brushes, pencils, and tablets and got to work creating artwork that expressed Rose Tico’s beauty and perseverance.
The artwork was posted on Twitter under #FanArtforRose.
Fans turned negativity into creativity, paying tribute to the actress who brought more diversity to the “Star Wars” universe.
Here’s my little #FanArtforRose doodle to celebrate an ace character and an even ace-er human being :) #RoseTico pic.twitter.com/9eqf7tI8S5
— Mark Bradley (@markbradleyart) June 5, 2018
God help the mister.#FanArtForRose pic.twitter.com/JBwvKaxUgW
— Chris Schweizer • HeroesCon1215 (@schweizercomics) June 6, 2018
#FanArtForRose #WeLoveYouKellyTran You are so kind and inspirational pic.twitter.com/wWhqnT6BOj
— caroline (@caroclutter) June 6, 2018
#FanArtforRose
— Meredith ⚪️ McClaren (@IniquitousFish) June 6, 2018
Kelly Marie Tran brought a lot of joy and love to the franchise. pic.twitter.com/VbIqo2Fq9z
I sincerely loved her character and #KellyMarieTran seems like a such genuine and sweet individual. Her Instagram was a joy to follow and I will miss it. Thanks too for repping people who never get to see themselves reflected in media! #FanArtforRose pic.twitter.com/I65BeTjzLG
— Tiff Bartel (@tiffbartel) June 5, 2018
#KellyMarieTran IS the spark that lights the fire of #StarWars!!! An inspiration to us all, stay strong and keep shining your light! #FanArtforRose #RoseTico #TheLastJedi pic.twitter.com/Hl92au0Amr
— 800 Pound Kickstarter (@800lbProds) June 6, 2018
Here she is, our shining ray of light and positivity <3
— Maria Nguyen June 6, 2018
#fanartforrose #Rosetico #kellymarietran pic.twitter.com/nlgGppVWtN
That's how we will win this. Not destroying what we hate. #FanArtforRose pic.twitter.com/2dN2TUquwI
— Courtney @ AAAAND I FELT YOUUU (@courmore) June 6, 2018
#FanArtforRose #KellyMarieTran If you watch a movie ( or read a comic book or anything) and you feel a strong compulsion about going to social media and being toxic with the creators, please go to see a therapist, help yourself. pic.twitter.com/gXT7IvBAgQ
— nil vendrell pallach (@nilvendrell) June 5, 2018
go get em #fanartforrose pic.twitter.com/Hytq5UzkQb
— Lark (@superlark) June 6, 2018
Spark of the rebellion #FanArtforRose Art by Faith Erin Hicks pic.twitter.com/WNYvRigDCj
— Ziggy (@mrjafri) June 6, 2018
Loved The Last Jedi. Loved Kelly Marie Tran in it. #RoseIsStarWars #FanArtforRose #WeloveyouKellyTran pic.twitter.com/mokGRH0rIp
— Joe Quinones (@Joe_Quinones) June 6, 2018
Finally finished this sketch in-between meetings, and making good on my promise. Kelly Marie Tran is a motherfrickin treasure. #fanartforrose #Rosetico #kellymarietran #Starwars #thelastjedi pic.twitter.com/aZPhMyzBYA
— mingjue helen chen (@MingjueChen) June 6, 2018
