We Are Black Panther

As the aftermath of the Black Panther premiere sweeps with ceremonial regality around the world, and the public debut of this much heralded film steadily approaches, it has been incredibly interesting watching its ripples special through the Twitterverse. Black people are practically unanimous in their support and enthusiasm about the movie- whether they've seen it yet or not- and the pushback has been to tame that. Arguing that any afro-centric celebrations are exclusive and unfair. Throwing out the term "reverse racism," citing how the black community would be absolutely livid and up in arms if white people did the same thing.

And they are absolutely right.

We would be.

But that whole discussion is the wrong discussion. The "how would you feel if WE excluded you all?" question is the wrong question (and unnecessary, because the very phrase "American" for all intents and purposes means "white" anyway, but I digress). Wrong discussion, wrong question, and it smacks of not getting it.

My day job is as a Supervisor at an afterschool program in North Hollywood, and once a week there I teach a superhero class called "Unchained Heroes." Every Wednesday. Our last class was the day before Black History Month began and so I, of course, brought it into the context of the class. Some students were absent, so we were able to really take our time here and grind it out. I asked them if they knew why Black History Month mattered (they didn't). Asked if they knew Martin Luther King was (of course!). Frederick Douglas (no). W.E.B. Dubois (nope). Lecrae (zip). Kirk Franklin (zilch).

I wasn't surprised. We spent a moment talking about how Black History is both centuries ago and as recent as five seconds ago.

Then I dove in.

Asked them how many black people were in the Justice League. Their eyes grew wide and thoughtful as they replied "none." How about in the Avengers? Same reaction and reply. When I pointed out Falcon, they didn't even really know who he was. Again, not shocking. We went through their favorite shows (Dragonball Super, Beyblades, a youtuber who plays video games). How many black people?

None.

Then I flipped it.

I asked how they felt seeing a Superman, or an Iron Man, or any of the other characters. Powerful right? Like you can do that and be that too? Even though they're all elementary school kids, I could feel the air crawl to a halt in the room as they experienced this simple moment of profound revelation.  

And then I asked them the simple question to transition us to the next part of the class.

Shouldn't EVERYone get to feel that too?

I bear no delusion that this one article will stem the tide of online objection and borderline outrage, but for those with ears to hear- this is why we are so pumped. It's like the cinematic version of Juneteenth. Once slavery was abolished, and black people were legally free, nobody bothered to tell the slaves for another 2 years! And on the day reality touched actuation, blacks seized it and embedded it in the culture. We own that day now.

That's what this is.

Sure we've been in films through the years. Sure we've even been given a respectable role or two at times. We've even been allowed entrance upon the hallowed grounds of superhero cinema and classic mythology retreaded! It's been progress, but progress for progression's sake is meaningless. Sooner or later you've got to ask yourself if this is going anywhere and, if so, where is it going? There must be a destination. A place where the spaceship lands again.

Black Panther is touch down.

The sacred landing.

We don't just have a piece of the pie or a flash-in-the-pan forgettable role; not just a boon of enforced gratitude (something better than we've ever had before and so we feel guilty raising any fuss about it).

We ARE this movie.

Through and through.

In every way.

It's something that should have happened a long time ago, but- like Juneteenth- it is only just now manifesting.

And we are bloody jazzed about it.

I would encourage anyone inclined to protest, to sit back and assume the position of voyeur. Study us closely in our bliss. See what great pleasure this film is bringing us, how the joy of its existence lights up our souls and brings us together, and opens a released balance of much needed catharsis. See it all. Behind the racial divides, and skin tone differences, just as humans.

See your fellow humans in their bliss.

And allow yourself to feel good because of it.

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Joshua Evans is a prolific writer and sci-fi/fantasy enthusiast who believes story is central to everything and that mythology can change the world. He currently hosts two youtube shows- The Truth About Superheroes and Comic of the Week, as well as runs a short story blogsite on medium as The Story Junkie. If you would like to further be a part of his cosmic psyche, you can join him on Twitter and Instagram or simply subscribe to this blog… and remember- sharing is caring! Cheers!