Black Panther: The Juxtaposition of the Eyes Part I
Houston, TX - It seems the celebration drums have started to quiet down, or maybe the drums of controversy and criticism have taken a rest. Though Black Panther continues to make news, especially since it reached the billion dollar mark last week, it seems its critics have become more of a whisper easily ignored.
Some of the harshest critics were those who sit very far on the right side of the political spectrum. I didn't find that very strange, at first. Considering recent typical recitation, within the Alt-right block, of holy righteous indignation for anything that seems to promote pro self-advancement of blacks (though blacks are often ridiculed for not taking the lead in advancing their communities). But after seeing the movie I was perplexed that so many conservatives took issue with a movie that seem to support our overarching current political ideological perspective, especially the pro-Make America Great Again supporters. However, I'm sure it's hard to envision, for many of us, the same ideology for an African country - Keep This African Nation Great, Forever.
The brilliant and extremely articulate T'Challa would seem to be the hope and dream of every alt-right cult member. He's charismatic, humble yet proud of his country and heritage, well-traveled and exposed, equipped with the best education, understanding of the dangers that open boarders would bring to his country, and man can the guy articulate his thoughts with passion while kicking butt. There is only one problem with the beauty of this particular leader and great country...the coin is flipped on the wrong side.
On the other hand, the beauty of the rather conservative T'Challa and the people from his sheltered exclusive country has become the celebration of pro-black advancement ideas. T'Challa and Wakanda are the revealed vision of Marcus Garvey...the leader and people Garvey longed to be and lead.
While many blacks have opposed the exhilaration of conservatives to enclose America off from undesirable people, we dream a dream. We stand strong as a community with those refugees and immigrants who come to America by any means, yet we adored our beautiful Wakanda - Forever, free from the "other people".
Black Panther gave us a glimpse, all the off-springs of Mother Africa around the world, of what could and should have been ours. For the historians within our communities, it reminded us of the great warriors, both men and women, who centuries ago lead a very prosperous, civilized, and advanced continent. And we watched in pride as the world peeped into what never made its way into our history books or has been projected to happen again on the land that has birthed 54 nations; nations that hold the wealthiest deposits of the earth's riches. While we open our arms to those who seek refuge and economic help to come into these 50 states, oh how sweet it would be if we could control who came into our Wakanda and benefited from its unimaginable wealth.
With the coin flipped, Black Panther changed what our eyes saw and hearts felt...at least for a moment. The modern hardened conservatives and alt-right no longer believed in nationalism or any propaganda that would support such a now ridiculous and almost reverse racist idea...And for those of us of the darker nation, we gave little thought of enjoying the beauty and success of a nation that closed its borders to its neighbors in desperate need and the savage oppressors...if only Shaka could have defeated the Boars.
I have to admit, Black Panther has given me some enjoyable moments pondering on my political belief. As humans we continue to evolve when allow ourselves to examine our ideas and beliefs as they lay side by side.
Some of the harshest critics were those who sit very far on the right side of the political spectrum. I didn't find that very strange, at first. Considering recent typical recitation, within the Alt-right block, of holy righteous indignation for anything that seems to promote pro self-advancement of blacks (though blacks are often ridiculed for not taking the lead in advancing their communities). But after seeing the movie I was perplexed that so many conservatives took issue with a movie that seem to support our overarching current political ideological perspective, especially the pro-Make America Great Again supporters. However, I'm sure it's hard to envision, for many of us, the same ideology for an African country - Keep This African Nation Great, Forever.
The brilliant and extremely articulate T'Challa would seem to be the hope and dream of every alt-right cult member. He's charismatic, humble yet proud of his country and heritage, well-traveled and exposed, equipped with the best education, understanding of the dangers that open boarders would bring to his country, and man can the guy articulate his thoughts with passion while kicking butt. There is only one problem with the beauty of this particular leader and great country...the coin is flipped on the wrong side.
On the other hand, the beauty of the rather conservative T'Challa and the people from his sheltered exclusive country has become the celebration of pro-black advancement ideas. T'Challa and Wakanda are the revealed vision of Marcus Garvey...the leader and people Garvey longed to be and lead.
While many blacks have opposed the exhilaration of conservatives to enclose America off from undesirable people, we dream a dream. We stand strong as a community with those refugees and immigrants who come to America by any means, yet we adored our beautiful Wakanda - Forever, free from the "other people".
Black Panther gave us a glimpse, all the off-springs of Mother Africa around the world, of what could and should have been ours. For the historians within our communities, it reminded us of the great warriors, both men and women, who centuries ago lead a very prosperous, civilized, and advanced continent. And we watched in pride as the world peeped into what never made its way into our history books or has been projected to happen again on the land that has birthed 54 nations; nations that hold the wealthiest deposits of the earth's riches. While we open our arms to those who seek refuge and economic help to come into these 50 states, oh how sweet it would be if we could control who came into our Wakanda and benefited from its unimaginable wealth.
With the coin flipped, Black Panther changed what our eyes saw and hearts felt...at least for a moment. The modern hardened conservatives and alt-right no longer believed in nationalism or any propaganda that would support such a now ridiculous and almost reverse racist idea...And for those of us of the darker nation, we gave little thought of enjoying the beauty and success of a nation that closed its borders to its neighbors in desperate need and the savage oppressors...if only Shaka could have defeated the Boars.
I have to admit, Black Panther has given me some enjoyable moments pondering on my political belief. As humans we continue to evolve when allow ourselves to examine our ideas and beliefs as they lay side by side.
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