In the sort of heartwarming storyline one might expect from an elementary-school-style episode of "Glee," a 7-year-old girl has attracted an outpouring of support from Star Wars enthusiasts who read that she was being teased for her fandom.
Katie Goldman's mother, Carrie, wrote on her blog that first-grade boys at Katie's school in Evanston, Ill., were teasing her over her Star Wars water bottle because "it's only for boys." Katie (whose Star Wars enthusiasm has earned her the nickname "Little Jedi") already felt different for being adopted and for having to wear an eye patch. In response to the bullying, she asked her mother if she could bring a pink water bottle to school instead -- and then cried when her mom asked her why she wanted to switch.
Katie's story zoomed around several Star Wars message boards and sites the past month, picking up momentum as fans on Twitter sent messages of support and photos with the hashtag "May The Force Be with Katie." On Friday, 30,000 people on Facebook say they are wearing Star Wars-themed clothing in support of Katie. Even the cast of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" took notice, and sent Katie light sabers and other gear, according to CNN.
Goldman asks that supporters donate the toys to needy kids, and wrote that they are "overwhelmed" with the outpouring of support. Katie will read the comments a few at a time, her mom tells Jenna Busch in an interview published on the Huffington Post, so she can appreciate them.
In Katie's own interview with the Huffington Post, she said her favorite character is Princess Leia. "I like her because her and Luke are adopted. Leia and Luke are adopted. That's why I like Leia," she said. She also said she thinks the people encouraging her are "really cool" and says she's happy "so many people are standing up for me."
Katie Goldman's mother, Carrie, wrote on her blog that first-grade boys at Katie's school in Evanston, Ill., were teasing her over her Star Wars water bottle because "it's only for boys." Katie (whose Star Wars enthusiasm has earned her the nickname "Little Jedi") already felt different for being adopted and for having to wear an eye patch. In response to the bullying, she asked her mother if she could bring a pink water bottle to school instead -- and then cried when her mom asked her why she wanted to switch.
Katie's story zoomed around several Star Wars message boards and sites the past month, picking up momentum as fans on Twitter sent messages of support and photos with the hashtag "May The Force Be with Katie." On Friday, 30,000 people on Facebook say they are wearing Star Wars-themed clothing in support of Katie. Even the cast of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" took notice, and sent Katie light sabers and other gear, according to CNN.
Goldman asks that supporters donate the toys to needy kids, and wrote that they are "overwhelmed" with the outpouring of support. Katie will read the comments a few at a time, her mom tells Jenna Busch in an interview published on the Huffington Post, so she can appreciate them.
In Katie's own interview with the Huffington Post, she said her favorite character is Princess Leia. "I like her because her and Luke are adopted. Leia and Luke are adopted. That's why I like Leia," she said. She also said she thinks the people encouraging her are "really cool" and says she's happy "so many people are standing up for me."
