I feel that now, in light of certain things, is a good time to note that a red lightsaber is not in of itself proof of a sith
Jedi and sith are not the only Force cultures that use lightsabers, they're simply the most common, more than that, a red lightsaber is just a lightsaber with a corrupted crystal, not something unique to the sith, any dark sider can do that, as we see Dagan Gera do, actually he is in fact an example of what would probably be the most common example of a red lightsaber wielder in the pre-movies era, a fallen Jedi, someone who already had a lightsaber and corrupted its crystal after falling in order to symbolize their break from the Jedi
All of this is to say that the Jedi are not being foolish/arrogant/head in the sand/blind/etc if they don't automatically jump to "SITH!" upon encountering someone with a red lightsaber
Getting another aroace rep out there while first post is doing well.
Did you guys know we're getting a canonically aroace character in live action Star Wars THIS SUMMER
Vernestra Rwoh from the High Republic era was confirmed to be being played by Rebecca Henderson in the new show Acolyte coming out this year.
Vernestra was confirmed aroace by her main writer Justina Ireland (writer of Dread Nation, a great read!) And the word aromantic was used in her section of the High Republic characters encyclopedia.
The High Republic in general is full of queer, women and non white characters, the authors are so nice and so is the fandom.
I was at Celebration when Vernestra was announced to be in live action and I cried so much I can't wait for more people to know her.
A little background info, Vernestra is the current known youngest Jedi to be knighted, she was 15!
Her former master Stellan Gios is one of the marshals of Starlight Beacon and for a little bonus rep is implied to be in love with two of his best friends (the authors do drop hints to this, it's not just fans).
Her next appearance is in Defy the Storm by Justina Ireland and Tessa Graton coming out next month, I can't wait to see what happens.
So Abigail Thorn (Amazing YouTuber Philosophy Tube) got cast in the Acolyte, that Star Wars show that's supposed to be set in the High Republic and focus on Sith Characters.
So that's cool. I'm going to be normal when this show comes out.
@rupalpspodrace I sent you an ask recently about what I should ask Justina Ireland at AwesomeCon, and you suggested I ask her about her involvement in the Acolyte and Vernestra. I didn’t get the chance to ask the question, but it came up in the panel anyway! Here is what she said. (This was today, June 17).