When people started crossing their fists to their shoulders and saying, “Wakanda forever!” I was amused. Then they started dressing up in traditional African wear and painting their faces to watch the movie and I was bewildered. I didn’t get it. What about this movie, that was pure fiction, was eliciting such strong emotions? Trinbagonians generally do not identify strongly with their African roots. I certainly don’t. I’m a proud and patriotic Trinbagonian. Full stop. But here were my countrymen displaying an uncharacteristic African pride. Intriguing.
So I had to see this movie for myself and I did. And I still did not get it. But I think I know why – I have AIDD – African Identity Deficit Disorder. I identified with M’baku because Winston Duke is from Trinidad & Tobago. I thought he gave a fantastic performance! Go T&T! I was also inspired by the fact that many of the cast and crew were men and women of faith. Like Letitia Wright who is very vocal about her faith (and also born in Guyana). Go Caribbean! But I got no warm fuzzy feelings of black pride. So I’m checking myself into therapy.
However, what struck me most about the film was the leadership types that were so well scripted. There was M’Baku. He was the typical good leader who is only interested in his people. He will do everything to protect and benefit his tribe or country or town or social group. He must preserve the old ways at whatever cost and keep the people out there from polluting the good thing we have going in here. The portrayal of this stereotype is powerfully relevant to the world we live in today. There is strong evidence of the rising popularity of this type of thinking.
Then there was Erik Killmonger. The champion of the downtrodden and disadvantaged who wants to fight fire with fire. He is not interested in peace or harmony but with vengeance and empowering his tribe to take a place of dominance. Again a very popular sentiment today. How many times have we seen on the news and in our social media feeds people fighting hate with hate and violence with violence? This is something I feel very passionate about. I know in my gut that hate can never stop hate, only love can do that. Violence can never stop violence, only peace can do that. Only those who can forgive their oppressors and join hands with their detractors can bring peace in this world. Don’t be a Killmonger.
Finally, the hero, T’Challa – The Black Panther. T’Challa’s leadership epitomizes the leader who does not only care about his people but cares about all people. This in my mind, is the mark of a great leader. His heart shone through in various scenes: when he begged M’Baku to yield rather than be killed because his people needed him, when he chastised his father for leaving Erik behind and chose to live rather than rest easy with his ancestors, when he offered to save Killmonger’s life at the end. At every opportunity to use his strength and power to dominate or seek his own interest, he chose instead to show mercy and to empower and lift up others. The stirring ending of course, being the opening up of Wakanda’s technology and way of life to the disadvantaged community where Erik grew up.
It is my hope that when people celebrate this movie that it is not only because it contained many actors of African heritage but because we yearn for leaders who lead from a heart of love and service for all men of every colour.
Wakanda forever!
Copyright 2018, Matik Nicholls. All Rights Reserved.