Black Panther's homage to our ancestors was intertwined throughout the movie from the beginning to the very end. It powerfully sent the resonating message that we are who we are because of who they were. In reference to commitment to family and culture, the movie did an amazing job of conveying the need and power of a man leading his kingdom in order and the success that comes as a byproduct of male leadership and structure. T' Challa's father said it best, "A man who has not prepared his children for his death has failed as a father." I also loved how Black Panther showed the navigational journey of two men and how the presence of a father laid the foundation for one son and the absence of the other's father led to his inevitable failure.
The timing of Black Panther's release was impeccable and rejuvenated a fire in me concerning where I come from and gave me an eternal hope concerning the direction I am going. I absolutely loved the theme of #BlackLove and how the movie so powerfully conveyed the love, adoration and honor that Black women have for men who sincerely love them and respect them. What spoke to the depths of my heart was how the movie allowed its audience to see a Black woman speaking life into the darkness of her soulmate's heart. One of the most touching scenes was Nakia telling T'Challa "You define the King you will become." It is my hope that through these healthy depictions of authentic love, as a culture we start to redefine who we are to each other and what we can become to the next generation. In the words of Nakia, "Wakanda is strong enough to protect itself and help others."
