Like most people my age, I enjoy a good movie, especially when there is popcorn in my hand, so going to see the movies was nothing new to me until I saw "Black Panther," wondering if this film was worth the hype. As the lights dim, and the film rolls, I am mesmerized by T'Challa, the first African superhero to star in his own movie, accompanied by powerful females like Okoye, a fierce female warrior and Nakia, his equally strong love interest. It was at this moment that I realized what the hype surrounding this blockbuster hit was: finally, there was a superhero phenomenon that celebrated people who look like me, a person of color.
Looking back at the media 10 years ago, minority representation has been, in all honesty, quite scant. It was hard to find people of color portrayed in powerful roles instead of the stereotypical characters, and these narratives were sadly exacerbated by Hollywood. Being Nigerian-American, I know the minority representation issue is much, much worse because of the media's stereotypical view of Africa.
In my mind, it seemed as if the media's main role was to provide Americans with a negative depiction of the continent as a whole (instead of seeing it as a land filled with diverse countries). I mean, of course, there are many countries in Africa that are economically struggling; however, not every country fits the "Feed the Children" commercials nor the classic "Arms of an Angel" song (instead the puppy-dog eyes are replaced with those of starving children) commonly shown on TV.
But in that movie theater, I saw something different. Welcome to Wakanda, a proud, thriving African nation built on technology so advanced that the rest of the "civilized" world is decades behind in comparison. With the assistance of the rare plant, vibranium, and the minds of intelligent, black youth like T'Challa's sister, Shuri, Wakanda is an unstoppable force in a world that has yet to discover its power. The incorporation of outsiders to Wakandan society is something especially interesting in "Black Panther." Throughout the movie, there are only two white characters with somewhat prominent speaking role, and halfway through the movie, the white villain, Claw, is killed.
At that point, I expected the film to be over since the only threat to Wakandan society had been vanquished, but man, was I wrong. As quick as Claw had left the scene, the movie's pace did not slow or exhibit any major reaction to it at all. White characters were merely secondary characters. Not even the loyal FBI Agent Ross who had risked his life to guide a Wakandan ship to safety is given a proper ending or at least explanation to his fate at the end of the film. This boggled my mind, until I realized... the focus was on not on the majority, but the minority.
People like me: Africans, African-Americans, people of color. Our culture, clothing, music and history were at the forefront of an internationally marketed Marvel movie, and to me, that was something truly inspiring. Not only were my feelings of pride for my continent validated, but every person who sees that movie is exposed to a positive representation of Africa much different from its day-to-day portrayal in the media and Hollywood.
As far as superhero movies go, I have never really walked away from a film with a different outlook or enriched perspective. I usually just walk out with butter stains on my shirt. But I think there’s a little something everyone can learn from this black blockbuster. There is power in representation, and it’s not just skin deep.
