I have so many things to say about this and first of all, I feel heard for the first time in this fandom outside of fanfics.
I myself enjoy several authors who have proclaimed themselves antis and whilst that’s absolutely their choice, it’s sad because many times I’ve felt othered or dirty. First of all, let’s tackle the points.
Not really, but let’s talk about that.
Incest is relations between people of the same bloodline, typically regarded as immediate family or cousins, the like. Let’s talk about the inaccuracy in labeling cloneshipping as incest.
Interpretation is entirely subjective. We know that clones call themselves brothers. Ok. Let’s break that down. If you’ve ever interacted with anyone of the military or first responder backgrounds (even just watching emergency dramas), please think of all the instances where these working relationships evolve into friendship or something akin to family. I’ve heard of many instances where soldiers refer to each other as brothers. They aren’t related. But they have each other’s backs and they’ve gone through hell and back. They have experiences that only those in that brotherhood can understand. The clones call each other brothers because they grew up together. They were all they ever knew and all they could ever rely on, even when the clone wars came about. They were in a brotherhood. So the fact that the clones call each other brother isn’t necessarily supportive of the claim of incest.
Also, I advice the consideration of the fact that likely, they didn’t have other words to describe their relationships with each other. Nothing described their closeness, not even the term friend. Sometimes there aren’t words, so you choose what seems like the closest one.
Let’s examine the biological component. Siblings generally only share about 50% of DNA. The combination varies. Clones are exact copies of their DNA donor, to almost 100%. Let’s strip away the individuality for a moment, as much as I hate to. Clones are clones. The clones of Jango Fett are biologically speaking exact replicas, not his actual children. Unless he’s producing the next Jesus, he would generally need another person’s DNA for that.
So, in literal terms, you haven’t got an army of siblings. You’ve got an army of copy paste where sometimes the ink prints funny.
Let’s add the individuality back. This is where our copy paste individuals have their own personalities. They are sentient. They have emotions and independent thoughts. They are just as human as we are. With that comes the ability to make their own decisions. Absolutely there are clones who view their brothers as actual siblings.
But they also have the right to choose.
Let me give you this. I have a wide chosen family. I have a wide friend group. Some of these people I refer to as siblings. It’s a word that describes their importance in my life and the willingness that I’d take a bullet for them. However, theoretically speaking because there’s no friend I want to date, but there is nothing stopping me from dating one of them. Sure, socially it could take some adjustments. The dynamic of the friend group would shift. And it’d certainly be weird to continue to referring to each other as siblings, but as long as you don’t do that you’re good.
What’s to say the clones can’t do the same?
They’re not biologically siblings. They are biologically copy paste of each other. Socially, they view each other as an extensive family, put together of the only people they could truly relate to. Would it be odd to shift that into something romantic? Sure, at times. But just like any chosen family or friend group, friends can switch to more than friends or switch back to only being friends. It’s up to the clones’ interpretation of what they want their relationships to be.
Personally, I think to say otherwise is denying the clones a right to choose. Which also denies them the label of sentient which you refuse to accept that they can choose.
Also adding that biologically, all clones except Omega are men. So even though children conceived could have some issues from the DNA crossing, that isn’t an applicable issue here.
When did we lose the ability to accept that not everyone likes the same things?
This fandom is particular is horrible about it. Very few people are allowed to just be Star Wars enjoyers. You have to pick a side in everything.
The only correct answer to the sequels is saying they’re trash.
This or that is just fan service.
They should’ve done this, but didn’t so it’s the WORST thing ever cause my headcanon wasn’t done.
Oh they’re catering to the liberals (or) conservatives.
Every fandom has this but damn. Star Wars is so bad about it.
We cloneshippers aren’t trying to indoctrinate you, believe it or not.
It makes me sad every time I see a “clonecesters DNI” tag. Why? Why can’t I read your beautiful story or look at your amazing art? Just cause I ship clones doesn’t mean I don’t see them platonically. As long as I respect your work, why can’t I view it?
Really, what works just as well is:
“I know there are people that ship x y and z together, but I’m not personally into that. With respect, I ask that any comments steer away from shipping these characters together to maintain the author’s muse for the characters they enjoy.”
See? Easy. People that ignore that really are just dickheads.
It’s ok if we all enjoy our own things. It’s ok to not be able to see clones as anything other than siblings. It’s ok if you ship them. Why must we all be the same?
The censorship is very akin to homophobia and transphobia in the media.
Many Star Wars fans are queer (myself included). Many antis are, I’m sure. I’m not calling anyone phobic (though I wonder if the clones mostly being men does have an impact on some people). But I ask people to pause and think of the parallels.
Is cloneshipping problematic?
Sometimes, and I will tell you those times. Any time which involves any relation not safe, sane and consensual (sexual or not).
*studies notes* hmm. Looks like that’s the same for…every single ship possible.
If all characters are safe, sane, and consenting adults (at least bodily and mentally if not in years cause clones with advanced aging), and we’ve already gone through how they aren’t actually related so there’s not that issue, then what’s the harm?
You are allowed to not like it.
I just ask that you accept that it’s not the Devil incarnate many seem to think.
Let people just be fans, man. Don’t like it? Scroll.
I’m rambling at 1 am and a bit drunk, so I’ll end it here. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
