#BlackonBlackonBlack from the director, Ryan Coogler, to the cast.
The cast of Black Panther is absolutely stunning, from Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan (aka one of my celebrity crushes) to Angela Bassett and Lupita Nyong’o, and of course everyone else. Seeing black actors in such powerful on-screen roles truly warms my heart and is a testament to how much the entertainment industry is recognizing black talents in all its capacities. No more casting black males as just the thug or just an athlete. No more casting black females as just the struggling single mother or just the obnoxiously loud friend who chews her gum like there’s no tomorrow. Black people are so much more than these roles, and I love that there are movies and shows changing that narrative.
Already I see young black girls and boys imitating the costumes of the Black Panther cast, which emphasizes the importance of representation. As children and even young adults, we gather so much influence from what we watch, and if you’re only represented in one common narrative, it can at times make you feel as if that’s all there is to aim for. But with black shows like “Insecure” showing young black adults that we can be #UnaplogeticallyBlack, “How To Get Away With Murder” showing us that we can be badass lawyers, “Empire” showing us that we can be fearless entrepreneurs, and now Black Panther in all its royalty and super-hero goodness, it creates an open space that steers us away from stereotypical limitations.
Tyra Banks said it best, “We need this movie right now. It’s not a movie, it’s a movement. It’s a living organism. This is the self-esteem and the boost that my community not just needs right now but deserves.” And I couldn’t agree with her more. Black Panther is the reassurance that black people need right now. Because despite everything going on, it reminds us that the battle is still worth fighting because we’re making progress. To make this experience even better, it premiered during Black History Month– adding to the celebration of authentic black excellence in all its forms.
This movie is absolutely phenomenal, and I hope everyone takes some time out to watch it and genuinely appreciate and celebrate the excellence of it. I saw it once and I’m already planning to see it at least one more time. Show out and celebrate black excellence. #WeOnNow
Thumbnail courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures and Marvel Studios, Gifs courtesy of Giphy