Anakin Skywalker has been freed from slavery by Qui-Gon Jinn and he now wants to become a Jedi, as is believed to be his destiny. However, Anakin’s mother has not been freed, thus, the opportunity cost of Anakin going to be a Jedi is that he has to leave his mother forever. Opportunity Cost is the value of the forgone alternative from making a decision. The discrimination against Anakin and his mother is a horrific injustice that has happened throughout history and has had tremendous impacts on not only politics and economics, but also these individual’s lives. Discrimination is when an individual or firm chooses to treat one group of individuals differently based on a common characteristic. Discrimination can lead to Slavery, which is when an individual is not able to quit their job and is treated as property, owned by another individual (like how Watto owns Anakin and his mother). Learn more about Slavery, Discrimination, and Opportunity Cost in this clip!
Discussion Questions for Anakin Freed as Slave and Leaves to Train as a Jedi