The universal lessons of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ | Opinion
Angela Bassett stars as Queen Ramonda in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."“Only the most broken people can be great leaders.” — K’uk’ulkan/Namor, ruler of Talokan last week, I already knew that we would be forced to grapple with themes of love and loss. What I didn’t expect was being confronted with multi-layered conflicts that can rise from within ourselves and how we, given the perfect storm of circumstances, can become our own worst enemy.
If you haven’t seen the movie yet, don’t worry: You won’t get any obvious spoilers from me here. But I will say the film is gripping, galvanizing and emotional. Along with millions of other fans, I was stunned and devastated upon learning of Chadwick Boseman’s death after his lingering battle with colon cancer. To learn that he was on borrowed time was wrenching enough, but realizing that he soldiered through multiple projects while enduring surgeries, chemo and radiation broke my heart.
Most of us aren’t kin to royalty, but how many of us have been thrust so suddenly into new responsibilities that we cling to what can be controlled versus contemplating what we cannot anticipate? That quandary is a universal one that, unfortunately, we might all have to confront. Perhaps you lost a parent before you were an adult and became the caretaker for needy siblings, or you become a widower forced to raise young children alone.
Another aspect that was deftly handled and relatable was catching the blame for one group’s actions and getting thrust into a battle that we didn’t create. Since King T’Challa disclosed the existence of the precious metal vibranium to world leaders after ascending the throne, nations clamoring for their resources suddenly become threats to the Talokans. Namor gives Shuri and Queen Ramonda two choices: conceal the Talokans from the menaces of “the surface world” or risk a war.
How many of us, in the midst of processing grief, have had to ally ourselves with a stranger? Even worse, how often have we stumbled under the weight of further loss when we’re still coming to terms with what’s already gone? The filmmakers had to work together, even as they mourned their friend and star, to ensure the tone of the sequel took on a more somber tone than its predecessor — though it also had its fun, buoyant moments. Traditions vs.
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