I woke up today like so many people, to the very sad and shocking news that the actor Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer at the age of 43 years old.
Hopeful Chadwick’s name should be recognised by most household in this generation, but if not, he is best known for acting as King T’Challa in Black Panther and in the Marvel movies as the Powerful Black Panther. Other notable films he has acted in includes Get on up, Marshall, 42 and Da 5 Bloods. The Black Panther movie received many awards and nominations, which included 7 nominations in the 91st Academy Awards.
The memories I want to share, are the impact of the Black Panther 2018 movie release to this generation, as well as the important part Chadwick played in it, to elevate the movie to the status of excellence it achieved within the movie industry. Like so many Africans all over the world I was super excited to go watch a Superhero movie that portrays black people in the best of lights. Please do not get me wrong by this statement, there are a number of movies that have raised the image and outlook of the black race over the years, but for me the Black Panther movie was on a different stage in its own right.
This was the movie that united everybody irrespective of race or gender, of course as Africans we grew inches taller with pride knowing the movie will showcase how great and blessed the continent of Africa is. A continent flowing with milk and honey, regardless of the issues we have with the management of these resources (That is a discussion for another day).
Like others I flocked to the cinema to watch Black Panther on the Big Screen. I remember the day like it was yesterday, I met up with some of my girlfriends @Ome, @Dayo and @Linda on 22nd, February 2018 at Cineworld Feltham, UK and we watched the 7.50pm showing. I left the movie feeling so proud to be a Black Beautiful and Brave African Queen. Don’t get me wrong, I have always prided myself to be all these and did not need the film to give me that confidence, what the Black Panther movie did was to further validate everything I believe about myself and the royal blood that flows through my veins because of my origins.
To show you how much this movie resonated with me, just some few months later on the 4th April 2018, when we were in Lagos, Nigeria for the Easter holiday, I had the great pleasure of watching it all over again on the big screen, but this time with my children and some friends (Thank you again @TolaE for treating us to a trip to the cinema).
Black Partner allowed me as a black parent to explain the beauty of Africa to my children. There was a part at the beginning of the movie when artifacts displayed at the London Museum was correctly identified to originate from the Great Bini Kingdom dynasty, I immediately whispered to my children that they are from the lineage and should be proud of their heritage. This movie has given me the opportunity not only to speak to my children, but others about the good that most times is not spoken about or put aside about Africa, such as the abundance of talents we have, the rich history both oral and written and the endless minerals natural resources we possess which includes gold, diamond, oil, gas etc.
In my opinion, Black Partner is one of the greatest movies of all time. The movie showcased a lot of black talents and told a beautiful story about the wealth and power Africa possess if in the right hands. Sadly, today we mourn the loss of a humble and private man who despite suffering with cancer for the past four years still showed up at work and made multiple movies. Chadwick Boseman remained professional, dedicated and graceful through it all. He gave love to his family, friends, community and audience through his craft. He represented the black voice positively which most times get lost within all the noise, He gave the black community a face when sometimes they world choose not to see us, He did all these and more in his quiet and dignified way.
A life gone too soon, but thankful for your gift to the world. Chadwick your talent and beautiful soul will truly be missed, my prayers are with you and your family today and always. Rest in Peace Chadwick Aaron Boseman (29 November 1976 – 28 August 2020) Wakanda Forever.
PS: All images on Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther and its cast are all thanks to the world wide web 😊
Lovely write up Oma. He will be surely missed. My son has is poster up on his bedroom wall.
Thank you Ope, he was a positive model to young black boys. We need more heros like him.
Thanks for this beautiful piece Oma. Truly a movie that will be watched over & over again in Chadwick’s memory for years to come. May he rest in perfect peace, amen.
Amen! Thank you for your kind words Eziefa