I started rewatching Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones this weekend. I don't necessarily love the prequels, but I don't hate them either. Why did I start rewatching them anyway? That is a valid question.
It all started on my last long drive to visit family. I bought the audiobook to Ahsoka so that my husband could have his book read for the month. I remembered as I experienced this story a second time (I'd read it and told him he should too) that Ahsoka didn't consider herself a Jedi any longer. The Jedi, her supposed people, didn't believe her, kicked her out, and when she proved herself innocent, invited her back. They turned their back on one of their own to save face.
Then there's the Acolyte. I'm not caught up in the series because I'm watching with my husband, and since he is firmly a Final Fantasy XIV player with a new expac, it's not been high on the priority list. But from what I've seen, I don't love the Jedi. Want a list of reasons? I'll give it to you. Note: this will not be exhaustive.
Jedi take young children, force them into a residential school of sorts, and ask them to forget about where they come from. Many never see their family again as attachments are against the Jedi code. (Rediscovered North American history in the past several years shows a lot of reasons why this is not a good idea)
Asceticism is the name of the game. You have little, you travel with little, you need little. While this might be good in theory, it fails to address how society is expected to yield to their commands as "peace keepers." It's an undue tax upon the Republic.
It's important for a Jedi to eschew emotions. We all know that the Dark Side draws from strong emotions like Anger and Hatred and Fear, but a Jedi will not recognize their own emotions, but would stuff them down. I know zero people for whom this is a healthy way to live, but even using the calmer emotions of love and hope are frowned upon. It would better serve the Jedi to acknowledge their emotions and use that as a way of channeling the Force. The EQ is low. I'm not a Sith fangirl by any means, but they at least acknowledge emotions. They just don't check them. There's balance to be had.
Obi-Wan Kenobi and subsequently the Jedi Council ignored blatant red flags with the clones and with the Federation. Jango Fett led Kenobi to both Kamino (home of the clones) and Geonosis (home of the manufactured battle droids) and didn't seem to realize that Palpatine was manipulating a war for his favor and rise to Emperor.
I love the Star Wars universe. I find the stories and the people compelling, but I realized that maybe, just maybe, Ahsoka had the right idea to leave the Jedi behind. There's also a lesson in forgiveness here too. Forgiving doesn't mean you forget. It means that you're no longer giving them the power they had over you. The Jedi no longer had control over Ahsoka and she became a central figure in the Rebellion helping direct aid and subversion where she can. I don't know about you, but I want to be Snips when I grow up.
Listen, i'm not anti-Rebellion. The humanist, racist, xenophobic Empire was oppressive and not cool. The Sith have no real emotional control and are selfcentered, but I will stand with the Rebellion in saying oppression has no place in our world. I will however, not support the emotional suppression of the Jedi.
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