Black Panther was an incredible movie that depicted Pan-African culture in a positive light! Now, I want you to know that this movie was so much more than its predominantly black cast; it portrayed actors in a royal manner and allowed little black boys and girls to identify with kings and queens!
Growing up it was extremely hard to feel comfortable when I was natural. Even now, it is still incredibly difficult to feel beautiful with kinky hair. Due to the recent movement that empowers black girls in their natural state, it wasn’t until recently that I began to accept my kinky curls. However, as a black girl with 4c hair (the kinkiest of curls), it can be hard when the figures at the forefront of this movement are girls with long 4A hair. I have always associated my confidence and self-esteem with my hair, so when Black Panther depicted all the women as STRONG NATURAL warriors, it definitely hit a soft spot.
Being able to watch a movie that depicts the true beauty of black girls without perms, weaves or wigs created a sense of pride in what I was born with. Watching Danai Gurira rip off her unfamiliar uncomfortable wig and proceed to use it as a weapon was both one of the funniest and most relatable thing directors could have written. Wigs and extra hair pieces can contribute to your beauty but there is no shame in being vocal about wearing one and taking it off whenever it feels necessary. There shouldn’t be anything humiliating about dealing with your natural hair. A wig and all the additional products like it are nonessential but your natural hair should be the most comfortable you.
Understand that there are so many movies that portray us simply as “independent black women that don’t need no man cause we got two jobs!” Yes, it’s great to be independent and all, but why do we need a little ebonics, eye roll, pointer finger swag, and circular head roll to prove it every time. (Also, we all know she isn’t actually independent and will be running back to him before we even get to the climax of the movie). Instead, in Black Panther, we were strong fighters who called the shots throughout the whole movie. I think that embracing the natural provided them with the confidence they needed to be powerful soldiers. Let’s face it, how can you really be useful in combat if you’re wondering whether a track or a whole wig is going to be pulled off? All jokes aside, portraying black women as scientists and warriors is important to us all; strong male figures looking up to us for protection and advice rather than the other way around.
Imagine little black girls as Wakandan warriors this Halloween, showing off their fresh Bantu knots, afros, and box braids; with their arms crossed over chests, in all red, united regardless of where they are, standing for confidence, power, and comfort. The natural beauty of Pan-African culture and its people are finally stressed in a movie completely. Black Panther provides inspiration for so many of us to be proud of ourselves, AS WE ARE.