Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire Outpost
General Thoughts
To prepare for our trip to Disneyland at the end of this month, I listened to Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire written by Delilah S. Dawson and read by January LaVoy. They released the original edition in the Summer of 2019, when Disney opened up the new Star Wars lands at Disneyland and Disney World. It had to accomplish two goals: generate hype about Galaxy’s Edge and introduce a never explored corner of the Star Wars Galaxy.Dawson does a spectacular job in achieving these goals without making it feel like a cheap marketing tool. Set soon after the events of Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire Outpost tells the tale of Vi Moradi, a Resistance Spy and her mission to build a new base on the Outer Rim planet of Batuu. This is one of my favorite Star Wars books in recent memory. Even if you haven’t visited Galaxy’s Edge before, Dawson builds a city that is full of life and inhabited by colorful characters. You really feel a sense of place. You are just as curious as Vi about who or what is around the corner. Are they friend or foe? What secrets hide in Black Spire Outpost that can save the Galaxy or spell doom? Galaxy’s Edge is not just a fast a tale of intrigue but an allegory for our current political climate. It is about a woman who has to learn about leadership, creating community and how to have tough conversations with those you don’t agree with so that there will be a just future for all. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a superb adventure story with a dash of inspiration.
Historical context
Every Star Wars era reflects the real world political era that they made it. Post- Vietnam War America inspired the Original Star Wars trilogy. The Prequel Trilogy was a commentary on the George W Bush presidency and how politicians gain political power through manufactured wars. The through line of the Disney Star Wars Era(Episodes 7-9,Andor, Galaxy’s Edge Parks) is no different. Since 2015, the world has seen a political extremism, the return of fascism, and a global fight against systemic racism and oppressive polices. One cannot help but put yourselves in the shoes of a resistance fighter and feel empathy for the characters. General Organa has been fighting for freedom against tyrannical empires her entire life. She exhibits a weariness and wisdom of a leader who puts her whole heart into her work. Much like those who have fought during the Civil Rights Movements in the United States in the 1960s, they are to continue to work for civil liberties, all the while inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Themes(Spoilers!)
There are many themes throughout Galaxy’s Edge. The author does a beautiful job of weaving them together in a way that doesn’t feel overstuffed or unfocused. One of the strongest ones that stood out to me is about how do work with people across political ideologies and create a coalition of people that will fight for a just cause. Vi Moradi has to convince the locals of Batuu to join the resistance in order to protect themselves against the coming First Order. Time and time again, the locals tell Vi that the politics of the Inner Rim have no effect on them, so why should they care? I immediately think of activists who do their best to convince people to care about politics that they don’t think effect them. No one can afford to sit out when basic human right and freedoms are on the line. It is up to those in the Resistance, both real and fictional, to help people realize before it’s too late. As Vi Moradi explains to the ex- First Order Officer Archex, “There is always something, some revelation, or an epiphany, or a line in the sand, that makes ordinary people choose to take a stand.”
