Legacy Forever
Lord, it has been quite a week! I was sitting at home minding my business when I got a notification on my phone. Chadwick Boseman, forever immortalized in his role as Black Panther, had died. I instantly Googled the news to get more information. Even though the post originated from his personal Instagram page, it was hard for me to fathom that it was true. He was so young. He was so talented.
My mind was transported to going to see Black Panther with my family. My family is nothing if not extra. Although I was a novice in the Marvel world, I had family members that were truly knowledgeable. I wanted to see the movie because it was an opportunity to see blackness celebrated. The real Marvel fans were pumped to see the characters storyline come to life. The trailer for the movie grabbed me and would not let me go. Yes, my face was definitely going to be in the place.
I mentioned that my family is extra right? We planned ahead. Tickets were purchased way in advance. Black attire was the look for the night. Anything African was also alright with us. How often do we get to see movies that honor African heritage? It was a whole vibe. It was a whole experience. After dinner and a mini photo shoot, we sat down to enjoy the movie. We watched the movie unfold and were wrapped up in the storyline.
By the end of the movie, I was floating on a cloud. Wakanda forever. Black is beautiful. The acting…the landscape…the outfits. I wanted to live in a world where my race was appreciated. I did not want to return to a world where people saw me as less than or as a second-class citizen. I wanted to be in the world where Black kings and queens were recognized as valuable. To some, it was just a movie, but it really made me hope and dream.
What a blessing to have lived a life that brought a smile to so many faces. I did not know Chadwick Boseman personally, but his life’s work had an impact on mine. His black was beautiful and had the power to remind me that mine is too. What a legacy to leave behind. #wepreach
