Name: Makaila H.
Location: Omaha, NE
Bio: I’m a huge nerd obviously. I went to my first con last year & I have started to dabble in the world of cosplay. I used to be bullied for what I love and still am sometimes but I know now that it’s who I am and that’s never going to change. I think my life would be boring if I was not a nerd.
How did you become interested in this fandom?
I wanted to watch The Force Awakens, and my friend showed me the first 6 Star Wars movies. I fell in love immediately. I am forever a fan, I was 25 when I first watched and I can’t believe I had waited that long!
Do you have a favorite quote, or personal motto?
In the words of Han Solo: “Never tell me the odds!” That quote speaks volumes to me being a woman of color. Women aren’t supposed to like “nerdy” things and even more so when you are black! It’s like society has placed everyone in a box and going outside of that box is just wrong. It’s forbidden. I’ve broken a lot of stereotypes and beaten all the odds ever since the day I was born. (I was a preemie born 2 months early.) So that quote especially speaks to my heart. I didn’t think it would but it has and I can’t wait to get it tattooed on me forever.
How do you subtly (or not-so-subtly!) work your fandom into everyday life?
I have a lot of merchandise already!! My family is sick of me talking about Star Wars so I want to meet more friends that are interested because it’s like I spent 25 years of life not knowing about it. And when I finally do, it’s like something in me awakened. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love Star Wars or anything I’m a fan of really. I’m very passionate about my fandoms and Star Wars just so happens to be the biggest and most current one. So I talk about it every chance I get. And I just saw The Last Jedi. I’m gonna be talking about it for a long time.