Never underestimate the power of cinema…
More than a week after its release in Los Angeles, Black Panther has already received critical acclaim, and a devoted fanbase who are absolutely in love with the superhero movie starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, and Lupita Nyong’o.
Video: Kendrick Lamar & The Weeknd Bless Us With New Black Panther Song Pray For Me
However, the project — directed by Ryan Coogler — is more than just a Hollywood blockbuster.
On Tuesday, the hashtag #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe began trending, bringing attention to the importance of representation in pop culture.
With a black director, black protagonist, and nearly all-black supporting cast, a film like Black Panther is needed more than ever.
See the best reactions (below)!
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe It means that my kids and young black kids everywhere will see themselves as heroes capable of leading their own narratives. #ReprsentationMatters
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 6, 2018
Seeing dark-skinned Black women as other than the angry, loud sidekick #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
— Nyasha Junior (@NyashaJunior) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe:
I am seen. We are seen.
Black Women and Black Men are celebrated for being our true and authentic selves.
Revolutionary. Unapologetic. Black.
That is what #BlackPanther means to me. pic.twitter.com/wStbdIDy7c
— Jacqueline (@THATJacqueline) February 6, 2018
The opportunity to see Black women characters with beauty, brains & biceps. #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe pic.twitter.com/bvJ90vas2U
— B L A C A D E M I C (@profjalewis) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
When I saw the cast of women, all my complexion or darker, none sexualized or demonized because of it, and it wasn’t a film about slavery or drug addiction, I cried.
— MSOSullivan (@BlyssfulStorm) February 6, 2018
My seven year old grandson exclaimed “Superheroes can be Brown people too?! #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
— Sheel (@MzSheel) February 6, 2018
a film that connects black american and african cultures in ways that aren’t all about trauma, conflict and slavery. #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
— marcussimmonscc (@marcussimmonscc) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
The possibility for young black kids to see themselves represented as powerful, intelligent, and dynamic characters capable of anything. For something I love to finally represent people who look like me.
— DMaser (@lesserknownhero) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe that seeing faces exactly like mine doesn’t have to be in a slave narrative. We can be raise our kids to see themselves as freaking superheroes ❤️
— trash panda✨ (@Nadia20) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe seeing my little bro get excited because of a hero that looks just like him and the overall badassery of the black women in this movie!!
— ※ Neko LaChaun ※ (@XoHNeko) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe It means that Black directors can tell our stories on the highest level with actors that looks like me as the heroes.
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe It means that Hollywood will have hard evidence of how much films with Black casts, Black directors, Black writers & Black dollars impact the box office. Our $ and our representation matter, and always have.
— Sho (@ShoStanback) February 6, 2018
[Image via Marvel.]
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