the Glance Over
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Firrerre and Kashyyyk are just the beginning
By Daniella Leone - 148 ABY
Not long ago, Kashyyk suffered orbital bombardment by the Sith. Millions died in the fires that raged across the surface of the forested planet, and I - like many others I know - reacted with horror and shock. The Empress of the Sith declared her reason for the attack, claiming that millions of innocent men, women, and children had to die because the Jedi brought the Sith there. Within hours, a once prosperous planet full of life and love was destroyed by nothing less than an act of evil by Sith fleets.
(content warning: explicit images and videos)
ruins of Kachirho - burnt Wookie children carried to GHO transports - forests of Kashyyyk: before and after
ruins of Kachirho - burnt Wookie children carried to GHO transports - forests of Kashyyyk: before and after
This event reminded many of us of an all-too-similar event only four years ago where the Sith appeared above Firrerre, leaving my home and my people dead in their wake. Like the Wookies of Kashyyyk, I lost my family, my friends, and the life I had known until then. Just like millions of Wookies today, I will never see my Mom or brother again. Like the millions of Wookies huddled in refugee camps or being processed at ISCRA centers today, me and millions of Firrerreo like them went through the same situation.
But unlike the Wookies, we were never given an explanation; the Sith never chose a scapegoat for their actions. I can only be left to wonder why the Sith chose to destroy my world. I'm not the only one either. When I first started the Glance Over and told my story, hundreds of the Firrereo diaspora reached out to me to share their stories. Though they all came from all walks of life before the tragedy, and though they've all ended up all across the galaxy, there is one common theme amongst the messages I received - they can't help but wonder why the Sith have been allowed to get away with this.
Four years ago, it happened to my home and my people. We were given no reason and no warning. Now, it has happened to the people of Kashyyyk and the Sith blame the Jedi. The Jedi, a group so small I thought they were the stuff of legends until a few years ago. Who will their scapegoat be next? Which minority group will they blame for their actions so they can continue to kill millions and declare themselves righteous?
How much worse does it have to get before the galaxy does something about it? How many more millions - billions - of people will be slaughter before our governments do something?
I grieve for the people of Kashyyyk because I know what it's like. I'm angry for the people of Kashyyyk because I know what it's like. The Sith don't get to choose a scapegoat for their actions. It is impossible that the sins of the Jedi warrant the death of billions. The Sith are evil. They are evil are they are being allowed to get away with it.
(how to contact your representatives)
New Republic (external link) - Free Worlds Alliance (external link) - Independant Systems Consortium
New Republic (external link) - Free Worlds Alliance (external link) - Independant Systems Consortium
Linked above are ways to contact your representatives. No matter how safe or secure you feel wherever you are, there are people out there who aren't. Even if you think you're safe because your leaders have expelled the Jedi from your planet, remember the people of Firrerre and know that it doesn't matter.
People of the New Republic: the FWA can't shield you from the Sith anymore. If you aren't proactive, you're reactive, and by the time the Sith arrive, we know there's no time for that. Contact your representatives and ask them this: Why are the Sith being allowed to get away with this?
For those of you who, like me, are citizens of the ISC: the galaxy might hate us, but we can't ignore the actions of the Sith. We can't be neutral when the Sith promise wanton destruction. President Thorne has done so much for the ISC. He brought this government up from the ground and he has done everything right, but he is not infallible. Lifting sanctions on the Sith and declaring ourselves neutral in the face of evil is wrong.
The Sith destroyed my people. They killed my mother. They killed my brother. They killed my people and they killed the people of Kashyyyk - thousands of both peoples which now live or will live within the ISC. The Sith may have never touched our worlds, but they have touched our people. And for that - for their acts of evil - they should not be forgiven.
Firrerre and Kashyyyk are just the beginning. I know it. The people of Kashyyyk know it. And soon, if we don't act, even more will be forced to live through the same nightmare too.
I'm angry. Be angry with me. Let your representatives know you're angry. Don't let them sit around and express their sorrow while continuing to do nothing. Don't let them get away with doing nothing, or things will only get worse.
Translations available in: Firrereo - Durese - Twi'leki - Huttese - Vratix - Botha
Read more:
Surviving Firrerre: Life before, after, and during the destruction
How the ISCRA helps millions of families across the galaxy
Why the Jedi aren't the enemy we should be focusing on
