Books on Screen: Black Panther Capital

When the comic book Black Panther was brought to life on movie screens this February, it ushered in a variety of opinions about the film. And from my observation, much more opining than other mainstream movies received. The overwhelming majority of thoughts I've heard reflect recognition of the film's value beyond the screen, box office revenue, and the current times. But there are those that are critics with opinions ranging from being focused on the cinematography to the lack of benefit for Black people. As it is said, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I ultimately believe that this film's value is in the cultural capital it creates, the seen and unseen assets it offers that promote the growth of Black people and ultimately all people. But cultural capital isn't always obvious, and so it is that a film that offers tremendous value can be seen as inadequate and a poor representation of Black culture. The shards of racism, oppression, and disenfranchisement can cause such deep and pervasive fractures that even a film that depicts Black royalty and a Black superhero can be seen as a problem rather than a benefit. I've heard a range of objections including there being too much hype and ostentation among Black people about the importance of the movie, the story line being trite, the cultural representations not being believable, that the White people behind the scenes of the movie are the only ones profiting from parading Blacks onscreen, that the White people who will profit don't care about Blacks, that the movie does not address the major plights of Black people, and the list goes on. These objections make me wonder if adequate consideration was given to the potential value of this film that will likely occur for years to come.

The onscreen choices to visually represent African culture through the fictional nation of Wakanda has been critiqued as being unbelievable. What I wonder is, what is needed to be believable? Does it need to be more stereotypical to be believable? In addition, the melding of African cultural representations with technology expands the sometimes limited assumptions made about what African culture is. The evolution of the globe to a more technologically advanced existence has not escaped Africa and this film provides a visual for that reality. Just as White cultural representations can be expansive, distinct, or even nondescript, so can representations of African culture.

Regarding critiques relating to triteness, there are decades of trite movies with White lead characters and White casts that we have happily spent money to support. So I don't bat an eye about seeing Black Panther, and better yet, making sure I went to the theater opening weekend to support as high box office numbers as possible. And thank goodness many made the same choice. Last I checked the box office numbers were at $400 million and rising!

The ideology that circumstances have to occur in a certain way for it to be acceptable or enough, or a particular form of progress of Black people doesn't count because Whites are still holding the reins is glaringly shortsighted. In order to overcome current plights, progress must be made regardless of more progress being needed and regardless of simultaneous gains for others. If Malcolm, Martin, Mandela, Carmichael, and others who so boldly sacrificed to move us forward thought that way, how much less would they have done, and how much less progress would we have made? The need for more progress or the lack of progress in often forgotten areas such as living conditions and education does not negate the progress that is made. I tend to think why not be happy that instead of a million steps needing to be taken, there is now 999,999 steps to take. One step, two steps, three, they all count and shorten the journey.

In addition regarding intent, consider the monumental period of time in history when slaves were freed in the U.S. Given the political context around President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation, it reasonable to ascertain that there was more than consideration of human rights involved in the decision. There were political gains to be had as well. There is also documentation that despite signing the proclamation to set slaves free, he did not believe in the equal rights of Blacks to Whites. Nonetheless, slaves were freed. This is a prime example of why progress is not negated by whatever the intent of an action may be. Attempts to speak to the intent of those who brought this film to screen is no less futile than mind reading, but the idea that the intention of a choice is the only litmus for measuring the inherent value of that choice ignores the many examples of gains obtained from those with demonstrated ill-intent throughout world history.

Speaking of who stands to gain from a film like this, there has already been an amazing impact on children. In a recent New York Times article, a 7th grade child who saw Black Panther was quoted as saying the movie created a feeling to "protect my family, believe in myself, never give up on anything, and try to achieve my goals even if it leads to me dying." Out of the mouth of babes. Something that sparks that degree of conviction about being good to oneself, one's goals, and one's family is an immeasurable gem. Beyond the children, there are the men and women who benefit. We are now in an era when Black women are being cast as the lead actor more than ever in television and film. Black Panther is a continuation of this trend. There is now a growing recognition not only in the power of Black women, but in the importance and benefit of leaning into that power in collaborative rather that distrusting or demeaning ways. We are better when we lean on each other rather than crawl on each others' backs. We all grow from doing so.

This film builds the cultural capital of Black people. Having Black actors as leading men and women, having a Black cast, and having the social movement that is now evident in social media sends a message about the viability of Blacks and increases the likelihood of more of this in the future. We are now in more of a position to own space instead of always having to ask for the space. And make no mistake, while Stan Lee is making his usual profits off this film that he made for whatever personal reasons, the actors – Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o and others – are profiting as well. Chadwick has immense notoriety in international film markets and he and his writing partner Logan Coles have projects waiting to be made. So this is a stepping stone that will create room for more black actors, black casts, black production companies, and the list goes on. The world only stands to gain from recognizing the value of its members, all its members. Ultimately, the power of this film is not limited by what is actually onscreen. It is the message and the unseen capital that makes this film a powerful and immeasurable gem. #Wakandaforever