I have been waiting to watch Black Panther since I saw the official trailer which was released 8 months ago. I had the opportunity to watch Black Panther the day it was released in the UK. To see such a huge film (marvel studios) with a black director, black lead roles and a majority black cast makes this a culturally significant film.Especially coupled with the fact that it is a film about a technologically advanced African country that has never been colonised or influenced by Westerners.
Representation is important and the characters in this film are not portrayed in subservient roles or as criminals, slaves or ghetto as western media usually portrays black people. It allows viewers to see black people in a progressive perspective. I love the fact that the lead women in this film are dark skinned black women with African features. They play such a pivotal role in this film. They convey intelligence, courage and leadership. These women are strong, fierce warriors, this is reflective of the female warriors who have existed in African culture for centuries. In the media when it comes to the representation of black women, we are used to seeing lighter skinned or mixed black women taking lead roles and the darker skinned females playing subordinate roles. I am glad to finally see females who look like me being the face of such a huge film.
There are many themes that are explored in this film. One of the themes is the segregation within the African community. In the film T'Challa states that only Wakandans are his people. Initially, he only cares about helping and preserving Wakanda. However Killmonger challenges this notion and tells T'Challa that all black people are his people. In the scene where Killmonger visits his father in the ancestral realm, his father tells him "They (the Wakandans) will never accept you." Tribalism is very real and reflects the way some Africans think, anyone who is not a part of their tribe or country is an outsider and is treated differently. People like that do not see the benefit of progressing Africa and those of African decent but rather their own tribe as they tend to feel their tribe is more "superior". This is a mentality that needs to change but is unfortunately deeply ingrained in some cultures and results in discrimination. Fortunately there are some African leaders who believe in working together to help the continent as a whole and those who are part of the diaspora.
Another theme explored is the plight of African Americans and their disconnect with their African ancestry. This is personified in the character of Eric Killmonger. He is the son of a Wakandan prince and an African American woman. He has been taught about his Wakandan heritage but has never had the oppurtunity to experience it or connect with the Wakandan side of his family. Though he is of Royal blood, he lives in the ghetto of America as a poor black man and experiences institutional racism, violence and poverty. This is the reality for many Black Americans. Killmonger is angry at the system, he is angry that his African side have completely neglected him and wants revenge. Though Killmonger is a villain I saw him as a revolutionary who wanted black people everywhere to have the power and resources to fight systematic oppression.
People from the African diaspora have lost their connection to Africa through slavery. Slavery robbed africans of their identity including their names, languages, religion and culture. One of the most powerful lines in the film that touched me was when Killmonger said "Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, because they knew death was better than bondage." Killmonger spent his life trying to build a connection between his American side and his African side and even in death he wanted to be with his african ancestors. . There needs to be a discussion amongst the black community regarding how we can build this bridge with africans and africans from the diaspora. I am aware that there is some division between Africans in America and African Americans. However I am glad this film is creating a conversation which needs to be had and is helping to build this bridge because black people all over the world have come together to support this film, regardless of whether they are African or American.
What makes Wakanda so great is that it has not been influenced by westerners. Wakanda has a natural resource called vibranium. Wakandans know that if the West find out about this they will steal this resource and destabilise the country, creating war and poverty (this is reflective of what is happening currently in Congo in regards to Coltan) . Previous kings of Wakanda have done all in their power to prevent this from happening. Africa is a land rich in resources which has continuously been pillaged leaving many of it's people left behind living in poverty, while other nations benefit. This still goes on till this day and not by just the west but also China. The characters are aware of the detrimental foreign involvement in Africa. For example Shuri refers to Ross as a "coloniser". In the scene at the Museum, Killmonger tells the museum worker that her ancestors stole all the African artefacts in the museum. I do not believe that any country outside of Africa will ever have the interests of Africa at heart. It is only africans that can do that.
Overall Black Panther is a great film and Ryan Coogler has done an amazing job (he is only 31!) I am happy to see the support black people are showing to this film on a global level. Records have been broken despite the notion that black films do not sell. Black people have turned up to the cinema in their African attire to show their support. I hope this sets the precedent for more black films to be made on a major level. I also hope this creates more opportunities for black directors and more roles for black actors. I would like to continue to see more films with Africans portrayed in strong lead positive roles (I'm hoping the next film is about Mansa Musa!).
WAKANDA FOREVER!
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