Today is "Wear* Star Wars*, Share Star Wars" Day in honor of a girl named Katie who was bullied for liking Star Wars. Wear your favorite Star Wars or sci-fi shirt to show off your geekiness and take a stand against bullying! Carrie Goldman, Katie's mother, also asks that you consider donating a geeky toy this holiday season for a boy or girl who also loves Star Wars.
Another little girl, Bryden, also embraced her love of science fiction by rocking a Mr. Spock costume for Halloween this year. Like Katie, she found herself being teased by other children, and even a teacher called the costume "weird." Bryden ended the day feeling down about her choice of costume. Epbot.com asks that all geeky girls - and guys - let Bryden know how awesome she is for showing off what she loves and who she is.
This year my daughter, who is only 2, chose to be Bert the Chimney Sweep for Halloween. Mary Poppins is her favorite movie and she wanted to dress up as Bert rather than Mary. I love Mary Poppins as well and was open-minded about her being a "boy" for Halloween, so we embraced her choice and made her a costume. At a local event, though, I found myself feeling self-conscious on her behalf as she received the same questioning looks that I'm sure Bryden noticed.
My daughter was oblivious to it all and loved being Bert, and says that she wants to be a chimney sweep again next year. I was thinking of saying no and gently pushing her toward a more "girl" costume, but reading Bryden's story reminds me that my daughter can wear a costume as a girl, boy, alien, monster, or whatever she wants. All that matters is that she loves it.
Thank you to Katie and Bryden for reminding me that my kiddo can be anything she wants to be, and I will always support her for it.
