With racial tensions at an all time high in the United states of America we have once again been pacified with "them" telling OUR story via their Hollywood production teams and studios with series such as "Underground" & the remake of "Roots". While on the surface we are suppose to be thankful for them putting our struggles we overcame in the lime light I cant help but feel slighted in a way.
Why is the only time a black actor or black cast stars in a movie/show it ends up being some pre or post slavery narrative or a stereotypical black family movie? On one hand we are suppose to praise how far we have come from playing butler & mammies to be playing butlers & mammies. On the other hand, how far does that really put us? The producer, director, studio, etc will make ten times what any black actor made in the capitalization of our story or proposed dynamic.
This does not sit well with me. So while I can appreciate OUR story being told (no matter how diluted or sugar coated) I still feel like it is all a part of some minstrel show.
Which brings me to Black Panther to star Chadwick Boseman. May all marvel comic lovers forgive me for being naive to the specifics of this character and his story line, but what I do know is he is a black super hero. A black super hero from a major franchise headlining in his own movie. Some may wonder why this would mean more to me in the strides for equality in the entertainment industry and let me explain.
It is one thing to receive a role a black person must play based off a story line, it is another to receive a role that is a-typical of a white actor. Some will argue that he is a black super hero so a black man must play him but can we take into account the fact that they even decided to give this black character a whole movie. The reason this strikes me is purely psychological. What some may not realize is that subliminal indoctrination is very real. If all you see on your screen is black people reliving a not so distant past, or feeding into the stereotypes that apparently defines what being black in america is, you will find these things to be true and acceptable. A feeling of triumph in being allowed to see a black person play a slave makes many people think we have made it. Like the issues are all solved. We're free.
Same as being content with the majority of the movies that display faces that you can identify with having a story line full of dynamics and behaviors stereotypically associated black people, families, & communities. While some can discern between the fact that it is just that; a stereotype, others are not even aware of the fact that they see it and accept it as reality.
Now, to see a black face in what is typically a white lead role is breaking boundaries to me.
And if you think we don't have boundaries to break reference last year when the rumor hit that Idris Elba might be playing James Bond. A fictional character. To say some fans where in an uproar is an understatement.
2018
Starring: Chadwick Boseman
