In the buildup to getting to go see the Marvel Black Panther movie, I was exposed to individuals proclaiming ‘No Real Americans’ are going to watch that movie. It was a sad reminder for me that dog-whistle phrase is still alive and well in 2018. It is another thing to add to the pile of weight we have lowering our bar, and these last months have shown that pile is fairly large. I walked into the theatre and selected my seat, thinking about more than just comic books.
In today’s theatres, as many of us know, the previews last for quite some time. I sat there, pondering the NFL protests, and the Black Lives Matter movement. I sat and thought about how people took both and made it about themselves instead. I thought about President Obama, and how people performed the mental gymnastics necessary to convince themselves he wasn’t the president, how he wasn’t even American. I thought about how people who aren’t ‘Real Americans’ are often portrayed, or represented.
The movie was starting and I was thinking about how we, in America, are made up of so many cultures and we all want to see ourselves represented well in the media. I doubt many people exclusively want only negative stereotypes shown, to be typecast, or to have few opportunities in general in the industry. We, as people, are diverse creatures with much to show and give. We are more than: a skin color, a place of birth, an accent, an orientation, etc. We’re living, breathing, feeling, thinking, beings.
I was sitting, watching a thoroughly enjoyable movie, and with the unfortunate individuals’ words in the back of my head I found myself appreciating it for something a little bit more. This was not one strong, smart, fast, Black face on screen – it was an entire cast of them! This was women, and men, being caring and talented, savvy and capable. The movie does address issues such as oppression and abandonment, issues that clearly impact us today in the real world. The movie also shows a host of positive things: family, duty, community, education, etc., things that cultures wish to see of themselves in the media.
I sat there, refreshed at the relatability of the characters in the movie and wondered about how many girls will watch it and be inspired, from either: the strong and loyal warrior general, the smooth multi-lingual spy, or the smart technological genius. Perhaps all three? I wondered how many fathers will enjoy the inspiration of their daughters. However, I wondered about why the dwindling percentage of people who feel they need to separate themselves and other ‘Real Americans’ from everyone else needs to do so to begin with and what they would have to say about the movie. This movie was a good movie.
Then it hit me, I was celebrating this movie, in a way. For so long it feels like we have fewer reasons to celebrate, we take it where we can. Our bar isn’t as high as it used to be, after all. I was celebrating for a community that wasn’t my own. This wasn’t a picture of sex and drugs. This wasn’t a picture of gangs and guns. This wasn’t about street crime, or any of the other motifs we see time and again. This was a positive movie, where a people learn from their mistakes and forge a better path.
I understand it was a comic book movie, but I was thrilled it happened. Members of that community can watch it, see themselves on the big screen and put themselves into it. Young people all across the country, from the rural south to the inner cities, will watch it and see themselves. The next generation of: soldiers, spies, scientists, politicians, etc., are all being inspired right now despite being told they’re not a ‘Real American’ and they can’t do it. Well, if succeeding in spite of being told you can’t isn’t American, I don’t know what is.
(Note: 2018 VA Arts Show Gold Medal Winner – Short, Short Story)