Wakanda Forever!

Admittedly, I am not a big Marvel fan — I detest mythical superhero films with the same retired plot of superhero vs. villain. Marvel films lack spontaneity and realism — they have become a mere product with flashy and over the top lights and theatrics, and less of a movie based on meaning and philosophy.

Like most Black people, when the Disney, Box Office Hit, Black Panther movie was released in 2018 — I flocked to the theater. Seeing Black folks decked out in traditional Kente clothing and African wear — embodying the spirit of Wakanda, and being unapologetically Black was liberating and exhilarating. Seeing Black children who could finally relish in seeing a superhero that looked like them — someone they could emulate brought me immense Black joy. Most importantly, seeing a film that depicted the fierceness, tenacity, and brilliance of Black women like Princess Shuri ignited my “Black girl nerd.” In a world where so much of our experience is told and seen through the lens of our oppressor, and Black death and grief becomes so much of our stories — it was nice to see a film that depicted nothing but Black excellence and badassery.

Wakanda represented the hopes and aspirations of our beloved ancestors. I think about activists like Malcolm X who spoke about and believed in the power of Black Economics — the idea that Black people can generate their own wealth and economic self-sufficiency by investing in the creation of Black resources and businesses — our own vibranium. We could recreate Black Wall Street — regenerate a society where Black wealth could not be…