You guessed it, this is yet another blog post about Marvel’s or is it Disney’s ‘Black Panther’. Soz. Def not sorry.

But here’s where my post varies, unlike half of the girl’s yapping about it online, I have a genuine love for Marvel films in addition to being a black female.  In short, Marvel never fails (aside from that Netflix ‘Iron Fist’ blunder, I mean what was that!?) and neither does a little bit of #MelaninMagic so it was bound to be a dynamic duo.

But let me clear something up real quick:

Being white does not mean you won’t like this movie, Black Panther isn’t just for black folk.  It’s simply a movie based in Africa, played by actual black characters (no Earl Grey) in which it visits and explores afrocentric themes and social issues, in the same way that the rest of Hollywood just- hasn’t.

& in the words of Michael B. Jordan:

“representation for all matters!”

If you have an issue with that ( that really isn’t to do with race, but more to do with ignorance which is an actual condition – an epidemic actually) then of course you won’t like it and you may as well transfer to a different planet for the next few weeks while the buzz and hashtags still simmer and sizzle, like freshly fried plantains.
If not, sit back and enjoy a visually exhilarating experience with a carefully written script and outstanding, age-defying and captivating actors.

What may also come as a surprise to you, is  my favourite element of the movie wasn’t the beautiful imagery of strong black women, or the homage paid to African culture, it wasn’t even the carefully placed one liners or the enthralling ‘costumes’ that took inspiration from and mirrors the beautifully crafted traditional garms that sit in every African girls closet all over the globe. No. It wasn’t any of that but rather the way I honestly fell in love with ‘Killmonger’s‘ character, not just because he’s fine (honestly! No really. Well maybe a little) but his plight, story and message and the way in which Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole carefully crafted a dialogue about the differences in African diaspora and Africans born in Africa. It was so delicately addressed yet hard hitting.

For years, society has concentrated on the differences between Africans, Caribbeans and African Americans, rather than emphasising our similarities. Here for the first time in my own personal recollection is a movie that not only openly confronts this but also questions it. Why have we only just begun to celebrate the ‘Motherland’, when not too long ago, it was faux-pas to even admit you were African? Why is everyone JUST now being ‘down and woke’ and all Shea-Buttered up when not too long ago afro’s were being called nappy, African skin too ashy and our hairstyles/ demeanour deemed too bush and comical? Just saying.

This production celebrates what makes us different but also brings light to the fact that we fundamentally are the same and this is a message that can be spread and related to by diaspora from any nation and/or continent.

This really wasn’t even supposed to be that deep but hey –

It’s currently snowing outside but when the weather once again begins to respect itself, the calendar and the grip of my trainers give it a watch and tell me your favourite theme of the film.

That’s all.

oh one more thing …

#WAKANDAFOREVER
(I’m sorry guys, I had to.)

Ps. Stop naming your children after the movie & stop taking jollof rice to the cinema unless you’re planning to share.

‘I love us 4 real’