Finally! Black Panther has hit
theaters in all of its glory. In case you haven’t heard, the movie is
everything that we hoped it would be, and then some. It’s become
something of a nationwide event for Black folks, and my timeline has been flooded
with friends decked out in head to toe tribal print, all black outfits, or bold
statement tees to go see the film. I seriously haven’t seen this many people
dress up for a movie since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 was released.
What’s clear is that Black people have been anxious to see ourselves in
Hollywood on such a major stage, and the proof is in the painted faces and
berets. That Black Panther is such an excellent example of Black
representation is only overshadowed by how it takes a fresh dive into themes
that speak directly to the Black experience.
And Black Panther delivers on this
promise in ways I didn’t expect. Anticipating a bold statement against white
supremacy, I was surprised to find the movie to be a cautionary calling out of
Black elitism and respectability. And while T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), theBlack Panther,
is obviously the protagonist of the film, moviegoers looking forward to a
narrative that centers Black men and masculinity as the only eligible leaders
of Black communities are also in for a rude awakening. Instead, it is a visual
lesson in how Black men can and should lean into the power and aptitude of their
female peers.
