The Impact of Black Panther

     It’s Black Panther weekend!  If you haven’t already seen it, do yourself a favor, and run to the movie theaters!  Now!  Stop reading and go now! (Or at least plan to go whenever you’re free this weekend, because in all honestly it was an amazing movie with great acting, writing, directing, costumes, and all around imagery.)

     And just so that we’re clear, this post will include absolutely zero spoiler alerts. (I’m trying to give y’all time to go see it lol.)  But I will talk about the impact that Black Panther has had and has the potential to have.  It’s enormous!   

     So let’s start with the timing of this movie.  It’s Black History Month! And what better time to have a movie like this and with cast full of gifted Black actors portrayed in this manner.

     What’s even better though is the fact that the weekend of the release of Marvel’s Black Panther coincides with Dr. Huey P. Newton’s birthday.  On February 17, 1942 Dr. Huey P. Newton, cofounder of the Black Panther Party, was born.  He would’ve been 76 years old today. 

     Still, in regards to the movie, the impact on our communities simply cannot be overstated.  This isn’t the first Black superhero, but it is the most recent one with a movie like this coming out.  And isn’t that reason enough for us to be excited? 

     And along with having such a talented majority Black cast, we also have a gifted Black writer and director named Ryan Coogler directing the film. 

     The impact it can have on the kids growing up seeing these images of Black people with super abilities and seeing these Black actors on the big screens getting the support of the Black community cannot be measured.  Children are seeing the massive turnout and reviews for this film at a young age and has the potential to inspire their future in ways unimaginable.  And for the little children in all of us adults, it’s dope to see a film like this finally being brought to the big screen that represent us in a brilliant and beautiful light.  Basically, its great to see such great representation of us. 

     The Black Panther Party also had quite an impact on our communities as well.  Dr. Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale were cofounders of the Black Panther Party.  These Blacks Panthers continued to instill a sense of pride for our history and ancestry while enforce self-defense against any threat.
     Besides focusing on the preservation of our communities through self-defense when necessary, the Black Panther Party helped support the community in other ways as well.  The biggest ways that impact our communities then, and now, are the Free Breakfast for Children Programs and the WIC Program still at work in our communities today.  
     And that’s just some of the impact of Black Panther.
     Happy Black History Month!
     (Go see the movie!)