Gaffer Tape said:
It certainly doesn't offend me in any way, but, yeah, I guess I can see that. I mean, it's not really like wearing glasses. The fact that he's furry is inherent to his species, so it's really more akin to Leia yelling, "Someone get this darkie out of my way!" and I can guarantee that wouldn't fly! =P
Exactly. I said it grates on me, but I can (and do) easily dismiss it. It's just that when you think about it, Leia's remarks are more harsh than they seem on the surface. It's funny to us, because 1- it's not real and 2- to us, Chewie is a big hairy monster. But in the world presented to us in the films, Chewie isn't anymore strange than another race of human is to us and that makes her remarks toward him seem more rude than necessary.
Again, it is all quite silly of course, but based on Leia's comments one can only assume she's a bit prejudiced against the Wookies. Sure she hugs Chewie and obviously doesn't hate him, but it seems to me to be a bit like "Don't worry Chewie. I like you. You're one of the good ones. Not like those other smelly, hairy, freeloadin' beasts ."
And so what if she is? I've never really gave it too much thought, but hey, nobody's perfect. Maybe it's something she's having to deal with internally. She's always held some kinda grudge against them and now she's had one save her ass more than once, help fight for the cause she believes in and has found out that he's actually a really great guy. Kinda adds an interesting bit to her character if ya ask me.
Please note that I don't believe anyone involved in the films actually intended for any of this to be happening. I don't think there is any intentional racial comments, ideas or anything like that in the films. But I also think people should be able to come to a forum such as this and discuss any aspect of these films that interests them, weather these aspects are actually in the films or not.