Black Panther: 3 Thoughts

At this point, people have gathered at movie theaters around the world to watched the film, Black Panther (over and over again).

I don't like action or sci-fi films. Nor do I, or have I ever, read comic books. But I'm always rooting for everybody Black. Always. So it's a given that I'd join my community and support our film. 

But the truth is, it was more than a movie.

Here's my take on the movie in three points:

1. I love Black people. Representation is everything - in front and behind the scenes. We're the dopest. We're the coolest, coldest people. Ever. I root for Black all day, er' day, unapologetically. Our African culture is unmatched. From our flavor, our boldness, our sense of style, the way we wear our crown, the way we carry our truth, and our daily rhythm. This film embodied it all.  For us, by us. 

2. Black women hold it down. Every time. The film depicted Black women as a mighty vessel to the community. It was a reminder that we get shit done every damn time. So often we are the brains, the lovers, the fighters, the mothers, the sisters, the nurturers, and the healers. Our families and communities find strength, and peace, in us. Shuri was my favorite because she was simply badass - slick with the tongue and hella brainy. 

3. Michael B. Jordan. Because DUUUUHH! He was the villian I loved to hate, and hated to love for obvious reasons. After I stopped drooling and staring, I started thinking Michael's character, Erik Killmonger, wasn't all bad. He was actually pretty legit. He was rugged and ruthless, but his thinking wasn't completely off. What if we really had a Killmonger mentality and really made sure that all of our Black communities were equipped to defend themselves and stand their own ground? What if we took back our power as a people, and made sure all of our people were straight, by any means? What if we made sure that no Black was left behind? This Killmonger mentality is what got so many of us here, as mighty as we are. It's the mentality that fought the fight and endured the sit-ins and boycotts that brought us so far. We've lost that productive, "take-care-of-mine" "I-said-what-I-said" grit. So I say all of that to say, Killmonger didn't have it all wrong. In one of his many quotable moments, he challenged, "Two billion people all over the world who look like us whose lives are much harder, and Wakanda has the tools to liberate them all. Where was Wakanda?" I'm not mad at him entirely. 

The film was something special. I'll surely be purchasing another ticket to see it again.