Part 5/7:
The "Woke" Accusation
The notion of "wokeness" has become a contentious buzzword, especially among certain segments of fandoms. Those who identify with the backlash argue that attempts to include diverse representation come at the expense of established lore. They accuse figures like Hamill of pandering to the pressure of contemporary trends rather than honoring the characters and stories that were created decades ago.
Interestingly, some have characterized Hamill as a "laughing stock" within segments of Hollywood, juxtaposing him against Shatner's staunch stance against political correctness in storytelling. From this perspective, Hamill's recent comments have diminished the seriousness and consistency of the original story arcs that many fans cherish.