Cheering for Rebels, Voting for Empires

As a lifelong Gen X nerd, I grew up immersed in science fiction and fantasy. I watched the Rebel Alliance fight the Empire in Star Wars. I followed Captains Kirk and Picard, and the ideals of the Federation in Star Trek. I cheered for the ragtag survivors in Battlestar Galactica and watched Babylon 5 warn about fear, propaganda, and the rise of authoritarianism.

And yet, something continues to baffle me completely.

Many people who passionately love these stories—who proudly wear the shirts, collect the memorabilia, and debate the lore—somehow find themselves cheering for the very kinds of leaders and movements these stories warned us about.

How does that happen?

 

Science Fiction Has Always Been Political

Despite the claims of people who insist, “Keep politics out of entertainment,” science fiction has always reflected politics, morality, and humanity.

Star Trek envisioned a future founded on cooperation, diversity, diplomacy, and the belief that humanity could rise above greed, hatred, and prejudice.

That’s not “being woke”—it’s being enlightened.

The series has always challenged us to become better people and build a better future for everyone.

Babylon 5 explored propaganda, corruption, nationalism, and how democracies can willingly surrender their freedoms out of fear or complacency.

Consider it a flashing red warning light, America. The lessons in Babylon 5 were never meant to stay on the screen.

Battlestar Galactica examined fear, religious extremism, torture, and the dangers of sacrificing core values and civil liberties in the name of security.

The parallels to today’s Christian nationalism are difficult to ignore. Its warnings about faith, fear, and authoritarianism remain just as relevant now as when the series first aired.

And Star Wars?

George Lucas himself openly acknowledged that the Empire was inspired by historical fascism and imperialism. The Rebel Alliance represented ordinary people resisting authoritarian power.

The message wasn’t subtle.

The “good guys” weren’t fighting for revenge, cruelty, or domination. They were fighting for freedom, democracy, and the rights of people to govern themselves.

 

Missing the Point

What’s astonishing is seeing people identify with Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Captain Kirk, Captain Sheridan, or Commander Adama—and then support policies in the real world that limit voting rights, attack marginalized groups, undermine democratic institutions, or concentrate power in the hands of a few.

It’s like watching Star Wars and deciding Darth Vader had some pretty good ideas.

Or watching Babylon 5 and rooting for President Clark.

Or watching Star Trek and concluding that intolerance and division are somehow Federation values.

The stories haven’t changed.

The messages haven’t changed.

Only the interpretation has.

 

We Like to Believe We’re the Heroes

Human beings naturally imagine themselves as the heroes of their own stories. Nobody wakes up and says, “I’m the villain.”

But history shows us that ordinary people can be persuaded by fear, propaganda, misinformation, tribalism, and promises that someone else is responsible for society’s problems.

Science fiction repeatedly asks us difficult questions:

• Who benefits when people are divided?
• What freedoms are we willing to surrender because we’re afraid?
• How much power should any leader possess?
• What happens when truth itself becomes negotiable?
• How do democracies die?

 

These aren’t abstract questions. They’re warnings.

 

The Real Lesson

The heroes in these stories weren’t perfect. They argued. They disagreed. They made mistakes.

But they stood against authoritarianism.

They defended the vulnerable.

They fought for democracy.

They believed that diversity made societies stronger, not weaker.

Perhaps that’s why these stories endure. They remind us that freedom requires participation. Democracy isn’t self-sustaining. Rights can disappear. Institutions can fail. Propaganda works.

And perhaps the most uncomfortable truth of all is that if we truly want to imagine ourselves as the heroes, we have to ask whether we’re living by the values we celebrate when the credits roll.

Because cheering for the Rebel Alliance while supporting the Empire in real life isn’t just irony.

It’s missing the entire point of the story.