I wish I had this movie when I was a child!
In two weekends of its debut, Black Panther has broken ticket box records; bringing in over $700 Million and still climbing. Besides the fact that this is a Marvel production and we know people across the world take Marvel creations seriously; I question what has the movie done for its consumers? Many people that I know and individuals that I follow on social media have seen Black Panther more than once. I, myself, have seen the movie three times and counting!
Black Panther is filled with nothing less than Black Excellence, a combination I like to call Golden Dust of Creativity. It is no surprise that the Black Panther movie arrived at just the right moment in society. The black communities are beginning to publicly speak out, like we did back in the 1960’s about our rights as human beings and our sole obligation to uplift our own communities. This movie not only hit all of the Marvel requirements that a fan may speak of. This movie did something more powerful, it gave the Black Community empowerment, Pan-African History and Self-Love.
I could verbally dissect this movie to you, as I have already done three times amongst myself and loved ones. Each time viewing opened another layer of knowledge for me. If you’re wondering why I am so impressed, in love and ecstatic about this movie here’s why: WE have always been (in the eyes of society) the back-seat passengers, we have always been given the scraps to make meals which often left us clueless of our own history. We’ve been told lies on top of lies leaving us with the responsibility of piecing together and figuring out what was stripped and erased from our sense of self being. Marvels’ Production of Black Panther has played the gate-opener for all of us to explore beyond the movie and recognize our royalty, communities and talents.
If you’ve seen Black Panther, I encourage you to read further for my thoughts on themes highlighted throughout the movie. If you HAVE NOT seen the movie, I encourage you to pause right here, purchase a ticket at your local movie theatre, watch the movie and THEN rejoin me. Above all, please understand that it is my hopes that you do not watch the movie and go back to sleep; however, let this serve as your foundation to be awakened and proceed to learn more about how truly beautiful, powerful and underestimated we really are.
- Ancestors of the people recognized in this movie play a crucial role. Even today, the brown communities show respect to those who are deceased in very special ways. The ancestors represent the wise, the foundation of the communities from within. In the movie, after every warrior challenge as well as when things seem to go wrong the people refer to “Praise the ancestors.” Praising the ancestors connected the living to those who have transitioned and words of encouragement, advice and humility are often shown. If you relate this back to slavery, the Ancestors often led the way to freedom. They are the strength, the protectors and guardian angels that continue to cover our communities. Interesting that even in this Marvel production, Ancestry is represented as a positive factor in the tribes.
- Vibranium is precious in Wakanda as it is the most powerful metal in the world. This very rare metal is the groundbreaking ingredient to the greatest technology, clothing and healing originating from Wakanda. There is no material as strong Vibranium. In today’s time and for decades, media has expressed Africa’s treasures of Gold and Coffee bean. Being stripped by policies, colonizers and other countries for these precious findings. For many years, non-African people have been illegally gold mining in the mountains of Sierra Leone and other countries in Africa. For me, Vibranium represented the natural earth minerals of Africa and the demand for other countries to have their hands on something they otherwise wouldn’t have. Thus, creating robbery, sending thieves to the motherland to STEAL a piece of the pie.
- For the life of me, I can’t forget to mention Everett Ross, the White CIA Agent who takes a bullet for Nakia and finds himself in Wakanda to be healed. Everett Ross reminds us that there truly are people who are willing to advocate on our behalf that don’t identify the same as us. It is important to note that the King, Princess, General and Warriors embraced Everett as he humbly played a vital role in helping to save Wakanda.
- Killmonger is the definition of the Black American experience. His time in Wakanda is a reflection of relations between the African people and the Black people in America. Killmonger’s language is very distinctive to those black who were born and raised in America. As an insert of personal opinion, I think the relationship that Killmonger and T’challa could have had represents how we should build relationships today amongst the two groups of people. It is clear that those who are born in Africa have a closer root to history, and it is also clear that those born in America have been faced with unforeseen circumstances of oppression that one can find unbelievable. We should build connections to bridge gaps that have resulted in each group feeling that there are no family ties between the two.
The movie does a fantastic job at capturing different tribes from the country of Wakanda. We all know there are five tribes, four of the tribes are actively acknowledged throughout the movie. The fifth tribe, the Jabari tribe, represented by M’Baku makes its clear appearance once Black Panther has been over thrown by Killmonger. I don’t know if you noticed, but each tribe was represented by an elder whom seemed to sit at the throne with the King to make decisions on behalf of the country and a skilled warrior who protected the tribe and its people. Though each tribe was distinctly different, they each contributed to the overall wealth of Wakanda.
Thus speaking, we all may have different black experiences but we should always come together for the common goal!
But women are heroes too! One can argue that women aren’t physical stronger than men. But Black Panther’s whole army were nothing BUT beautiful brown women who protected and served alongside the king. Remember, the rhino liked Okoye’s face in the battle towards the end of the movie, Chocolate Delight… and Respect to all the women of Wakanda!
Okoye, the leader of the army, stood beside T’Challa and fought when necessary to protect him. Nakia, T’Challa’s love also did the same. This is a reflection that in the black community, man and women should not be competitive towards one another but should strive to serve each other and work together to build empires, kingdoms and generations that will continue to be strong, talented and healthy. And while we’re on the subject of women, we can’t leave out Shuri. Shuri, the princess of Wakanda is the backbone to all of the technical advancements that Wakanda demonstrates in the movies.
The Ladies were well represented in this movie!
My favorite part of the movie brings the storyline full circle when Shuri and T’Challa visit Oakland, California (the location where the Royal Brother –Killmonger’s father was killed). T’Challa shares with Shuri in this scene that he bought the apartment building where the killing took place as well as all of the surrounding properties. This location in Oakland, California can be assumed to be rough and populated by Black American’s. The properties bought by T’Challa will serve as the international headquarters for Wakanda, where Shuri will oversee technology information and exchange along with Nakia who will oversee Social Outreach. This ties together Wakanda’s ability to serve the masses in the humblest way of Community Development.
Let Black Panther serve as a reminder that our talents, creativity and accomplishments are nothing new to the world and that in order to steer forward we must love ourselves and each other. We must acknowledge the hard work and efforts of those before us as well as creating platforms for those after us. If nothing more, let this be your signal to channel into your inner self and accept that we are truly descendants of greatness. This movie, for me, provides a message that our history is powerful and our futures are just as bright as the precious metals of Vibranium.
Take your kids, students, grandparents and neighbors to see the movie of our generation!
As the African Proverbs read: “The Wise Build Bridges, while the Foolish Build Walls.”
Signed,
Black, Educated and Bold
bementallyrich.com 