lightcastle

I had meant to write about the Katie story when it came out, but was swamped. As the brother of a girl who likes Star Wars, I was understandably sympathetic to the girl who was bullied for liking it because it is "for boys".

There are many things wrong with Geek/Nerd/Fandom culture - massive outpourings of support for a 7-year old who is being bullied because she likes Star Wars is not one of them. Neither is the effect it is having on her.

And Katie is learning how to reach out to help other children in the same way that she has been helped. A mother named Emily called to tell me that her first grade son was recently teased for bringing My Little Pony for show and tell. She said he was terribly upset by the incident, and when I told Katie about it, she called to leave a message for the child.

She said, "I am Katie. I like Star Wars, and you like My Little Pony. I know other boys who like to play with My Little Pony, and it's great, and umm, May the Pony Be With You!" she finished proudly.

This is a thing that makes me happy.