No Star Wars character has been the recipient of as much hatred from their fanbase as Jar Jar Binks. Originally intended as a comic relief character for Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace, audiences took an immediate dislike to Jar Jar. Many critics claimed the Gungan was a racial caricature, quickly fostering an attitude of indifference at best, and at worst, giving fans license to ridicule Jar Jar through offensive jokes, memes, and Internet videos. One fan even suggested Jar Jar was secretly a Sith Lord, encouraging more online bullying of the character.
Before long the overwhelming hatred spilled into Star Wars media itself, with comic books and even novels reflecting fan loathing, showing Jar Jar being abused by his father, and ending up homeless on Naboo. And while they were jokes at the time, recent confessions from Jar Jar actor Ahmed Best, who contemplated suicide due to backlash toward his character have shown them in a much harsher light.
As horrible as this is, comparing Jar Jar’s fate in Star Wars media to newer canon offers a far more positive conclusion. One that shows how nobly Jar Jar Binks responded to his mistreatment. Let’s take a look at how online bullying of Jar Jar Binks led to some real-life consequences, and how the new canon has given Jar Jar's heroic response to abuse.
Star Wars Made Jar Jar Binks & Suicide a Joke
It's hard to believe the levels that fan hatred of Jar Jar Binks actually rose to at their peak, and how broadly they came to influence Star Wars media. The general response was prompting mean-spirited stories of the Gungan, with none in worse taste then the Dark Horse comic book Star Wars Tales #20, in a tale entitled “George R. Binks.” The short story introduces readers to Jar Jar’s father, George -- an almost unmistakable reference to Jar Jar’s real world “father” George Lucas. In the story, George R. Binks is shown to be a Naboo whaling captain, who winds up marooned on a deserted island with his wife and son. How? Because Jar Jar accidentally capsized their boat, obviously!
After one case of Jar Jar's actions and intentions leading to calamity after another, and his father's growing annoyance, George eventually encourages Jar Jar to swim for help, hoping he’ll get eaten by a sea monster. When his wife stops Jar Jar from being killed off, George decides to just put himself out of his misery. When contemplating suicide with a blaster to his head, Jar Jar's mother urges George to reconsider what he has to live for. When instructed to "think of your son," he frowns, and pulls the trigger. The attempt is unsuccessful, but plays to the most vicious and mean-spirited of Star Wars fans. Especially in the final cruel twist, Jar Jar’s kind hearted mother reveals George had hoped to marry a different woman, and have a different child, before ending up stuck with them both. And if that single comic doesn't explain how bad things had gotten, then the main reason why a Jar Jar Binks suicide joke has aged terribly sure will.
Fan Harassment Nearly Drove Ahmed Best to Suicide
While many fans, writers, and artists felt justified in ridiculing Jar Jar Binks -- a character only ever created to make audiences laugh -- most didn't consider the effect it had on the people involved in their creation. Most importantly Ahmed Best, even Best wanting to leave Jar Jar Binks behind.
Best, an African American actor of West Indian descent, was particularly hurt by those who accused him of promoting racial caricatures, stating, “I was called every racial stereotype you can imagine… It was debilitating. I didn’t know how to respond.” Feeling alone and depressed, Best, at 26 years old, walked onto the Brooklyn Bridge one night and considered jumping off. When a gust of wind knocked Best off balance, however, the actor caught himself and realized he still wanted to live and make it through the next day. Twenty years later, Best shared his near-suicide attempt on Twitter and, thankfully, received an outpouring of .
Star Wars Canon Has Finally Changed
The in-continuity novel Star Wars Aftermath: Empire’s End reveals Jar Jar’s final fate post-Return of the Jedi. Here, readers discover Jar Jar is now a homeless jester on Naboo who performs for many refugee children hoping to be adopted. While the children adore the Gungan, the adults refuse to speak to Jar Jar, whom they blame for helping Supreme Chancellor Palpatine become Emperor (Jar Jar later reveals his own people have exiled him for similar reasons). Jar Jar’s fate drew mixed reactions from fans, with some pitying the Gungan, and others complaining it was Star Wars trying to make fans feel guilty about hating harmless comic relief (which led to serious trauma for those involved in his creation). But most recognized the tale reflected Jar Jar’s real-life status, as he was popular with children but hated by most adults. Few, however, realize Jar Jar’s fate makes him a hero to victims of bullying everywhere.
In the films, Queen Amidala is never held responsible for her role in helping to create the Empire. The people of Naboo chose to make the Gungan their scapegoat to keep from itting their own complicity in creating the Emperor. Not unlike how bullies see their inadequacies in others, and choose to abuse their victims instead of working on their own issues (a lesson for Jar Jar's father George). Although he has every reason to drown in self-pity or hate the Naboo people, Jar Jar spends his remaining years entertaining refugee children. He knows he will be shunned and despised whenever he steps into public, yet Jar Jar still chooses to, knowing firsthand what it’s like to be abused and alone.
Modern storytellers, especially those in comics, have given Jar Jar heroic moments based on that same emotion and spirit of giving. Few will ever compare to seeing Jar Jar wield a lightsaber to help protect his friend. And in an extraordinary case of life imitating art, Jar Jar’s actor Ahmed Best will also get a chance to keep entertaining children. Disney + has announced that in 2020, Best will host the Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge, a children’s TV game show. Best will play a Jedi Master who will test young contestants’ abilities in the Jedi principles of strength, knowledge, and bravery. Hopefully, both Jar Jar and Ahmed Best will soon be redeemed in the eyes of the Star Wars universe and fandom. Many of the refugee children Jar Jar entertained will be adults by the events of The Force Awakens, after all, and it would be nice to think that his reputation could undergo a major shift by then.
Rather than being ed as an annoying buffoon or traitorous politician, Jar Jar Binks could be recognized as a kind clown who helped countless refugees during the most difficult days of their lives. Such would be a fitting legacy for the greatest unsung hero of the Star Wars universe.
