On Friday, the hashtag comes to life and May 4, aka #MayThe4th, takes over the Internet for 24 hours in a global love fest for “Star Wars.” George Lucas’ 1977 space opera is arguably the most popular and profitable piece of multimedia in the world today, with Marvel nipping at its heels more and more every year. The franchise is so popular for its mix between enduring relevance and magical escapism. Despite Lucas’ intent to comment on the Vietnam War, American imperialism, and the counterculture of the postwar era, “Star Wars” rocketed to success as an optimistic voyage through space at a time when audiences were longing to disconnect from the chaos of the times.

So the question persists: Is “Star Wars” political?