I heard an interesting theory that Queen Amidala was an SJW – a Social Justice Warrior. I found this hilariously inaccurate.

First lets start with some simple definitions courtesy of the internet:

Social Justice (noun) – justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.

Social Justice Warrior (noun) – a person who expresses or promotes socially progressive views.

Just with these simple definitions, there’s nothing that would point this ideology toward Queen Amidala of the Naboo. For one, I don’t recall Queen Amidala having issues with the Galactic Senate as she wanted to redistribute the wealth of rich businessmen (another thing she’s angry about! why not businesspeople or businessfolk?) and powerful politicians. Nope. Don’t recall that. Oh, it was because Queen Amidala wanted to stop the consumption of Shaak (yes, this is a real creature on Naboo raised for its meat). I think I recall her addressing the Senate on how this eating of meat causes toxic masculinity on those from Naboo and must be stopped. Nope. Second thought, I don’t recall that either. Oh, I know! It was that she insisted that all the future rulers of Naboo must be women! Yeah, that makes since. After Amidala, there was Queen Jamilla and after her, there was Queen Apailana. Yes! That must be it. Although according to canon there was a King before Queen Amidala, I’m sure she straightened that ship and made sure no more men ran Naboo. Perhaps this was the case as the canon does not refer to any other male leaders during and up to the time of the Galactic Empire. Just for the record, this is never stated on screen that Naboo went to a matriarchy society.  

Just the common sense definition of a Social Justice Warrior (or Activist) is someone who wants to change the society in which they live. This isn’t usually political or government level but a cultural change. The acceptance of not eating a certain food, the acceptance of a broad gender rule, or someone who wants the society to stop misusing animals.

Queen Amidala in no way expressed these views during the Prequel Trilogy. She was against an illegal blockade of her planet. This was completely a political move by the Senator from Naboo. Although we don’t understand that directly, we know that it was a way to give power to Palpatine and be sympothized to win the election of Grand Chancellor of the Republic.

The folks that say Amidala is a SJW also like to characterize that the entire Rebellion was a group of Social Justice Warriors. I find this just as ridiculous. The Rebels were not fighting for social change. They were fighting against a oppressive government. Okay I will concede a little…maybe 3%… that one could say fighting an evil tyrant and retorting freedom to the galaxy is a form of social change. Yet, just because I can understand the thought process doesn’t make it correct.

This is just the SJW trying to convince everyone that the term is not a bad thing but a good one. See, that’s what this person that I heard this from actually tried to convince me of. Hog Wash! Don’t be conned by it. The internet usually defines SJW as a bad definition of someone. Not a good one.

Analysis: know the diffference of terms. Don’t bend one into another. Fighting for societal freedom is in most regards the freedom of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. This incorporates many different beliefs and cutlture practices. Social Movement Organizations (the institutions of the SJW) often try to push their political correctness on the whole. Examples can be PETA wanting a society that survives by not eating animals or animal products. Since there is nothing legally wrong with eating meat, this is considered a social activism. Do the lines blur? Maybe and could. That’s what’s usually the scary part.

In conclusion: Queen Amidala was not a SJW. Nor was the rebellion. Why? Because the man that created the characters and the story never defined it as so. It was merely a political story about tyranny and freedom – a classic story of good vs. evil. The Star Wars universe is so big, I doubt that one person would be able to change the societal views of millions of different species and cultures…..but what do I know!