I, along with many others this past Friday, was absolutely stunned and heartbroken to hear that actor Chadwick Boseman passed away at the young age of 43 due to colon cancer. The news took many by surprise as Boseman battled cancer privately since 2016 and even more impressively continued his career in lots of big movies in between surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy. Tributes from fans, his colleagues, and countless others poured in after the news broke. While Chadwick will be remembered as one who played various historical roles such as: Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get on Up, Thurgood Marshall in Marshall, it will be his time as T'Challa/Black Panther in Black Panther and various Marvel movies that he will best be remembered. While Boseman got to play a superhero onscreen, he himself will be remembered as more than a hero by many. Quite frankly, the world will never be the same again.
To say that Black Panther was an important film is an understatement. Black Panther was the first superhero film with a predominately black cast and crew. The film was also the first superhero movie nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, along with seven nominations. A film that truly transcended the superhero genre. At the heart of all of this, was Boseman and his superb performance as T'Challa. He portrayed the character as one who was still finding his way as king and leaned onto others for guidance. Flawed but strong. A diplomat before a fighter. Acknowledging the past, but forging new ways in the future. Boseman played a hero that millions of people, maybe even for the first time, saw themselves within. His importance to African-American culture is astounding, portraying a hero that was part of an underrepresented group of people. He transcended the title of hero and helped change film and American culture forever. Boseman knew how important the movie and the character of T'Challa was to people, especially to the African-American community. As his final tweet noted: "It was the honor of his career to bring T'Challa to life in Black Panther".
Chadwick didn't take his fame for granted, and always was open to meeting with his fans. He visited children in hospitals who were going through what he was going through, but he never showed it. It was always about them. It is heartbreaking to look back at one specific moment, where Boseman talked about speaking with terminally ill children who wouldn't get to see Black Panther. It strikes with a different meaning now that we know what he was going through. He cared about activism. The last tweet he wrote was supporting Kamala Harris' selection as Vice President Biden's running mate in 2020 and using his platform to encourage voting. Up to the end, he was still giving, announcing "Operation 42", which included a $4.2 million donation of medical gear to black communities that were hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. If that's not a hero, I don't know what is.
There will never be another like Chadwick Boseman. He was taken far too soon, but leaves behind an everlasting legacy. People will always remember him through his work, the Wakanda Forever salute, and the millions that he inspired along the way. Those millions that he inspired will tell stories about him, a hero that represented so many. Someone who gave a voice to those without one. A hero who transcended universes. Back in 2018, Boseman gave a speech at his alma mater, Howard University. I think the best quote is when Boseman aims to inspire the graduates: "I don't know what your future is, but if you are willing to take the harder way, the more complicated one, the one with more failures at first than successes, the one that has ultimately proven to have more meaning, more victory, more glory then you will not regret it." That is true inspiration right there. It's a damn shame he's gone because he had so much more to give. My thoughts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.
Rest in Power great king...and thank you.
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