While I’m on the subject of yelling about the Jedi Order, this issue has a great scene where the young Wookiee Krrsish has been struggling with thoughts of his Trandoshan friend because of the long history of conflict between their species and he’s been getting meaner about it over time, so when he says something mean to Gheyr about it, Yoda asks him to stay after class. The first thing Yoda says is how much progress he’s been making, a compliment to show that he’s still valued and wanted here. Yoda talks to him about the anger and fear he senses in Krrsish, telling him that it was the Wookiees who found Gheyr and delivered her to Yoda to take to the Jedi Temple, that Krrsish doesn’t have to be friends with her if he doesn’t want to, but he does need to respect her as a Jedi. He senses fear and anger in Krrsish and reminds him where those lead–because it is absolutely 100% true, fear and anger are the dark side, that’s George Lucas worldbuilding 101–but never shames him for having those feelings, for struggling with them. Instead, Yoda leaves the decision of how to proceed in Krrsish’s hands, you don’t have to be friends, you just have to respect each other, is the only thing Yoda puts down as a boundary, and it’s Krrsish’s choice to approach his friend and apologize and hug her, while Yoda’s thoughts about how they must respect the paths their children choose, they can’t force them into things they’re not meant for, or they’ll never truly be able to grow up, they’ll be children forever. And like this is the Jedi Order!! There’s no shaming for what you’re feeling, it’s all about teaching you what those things mean and giving you guidance and answering your questions and then letting you choose what you want to do about it! Approaching a situation with compassion and kindness, not empty lectures, but a moment of care! Yes, the Jedi have certain rules, because the worldbuilding demands it of them, but everything about Yoda’s handling of this situation is showing the Jedi ways of compassion and being kind and caring about/respecting others, without saying anyone is “bad” here. THIS is who the Jedi are!
I like this. I only ever hear the stuff about how the Jesi order became so fearful of the Dark Side and emotions that they just stunted their emotions and didn’t offer help to those who needed it (*coughAnakincough*). And no doubt some did have that problem. But this is a nice look at how some in the Jedi Order were doing it RIGHT.
