Fact: Black People Are Slaying Right Now And It's High Time We Talk About It
With the dreaded garbage fire that was 2017 now left in the past, we look to the new year to be, well, better. Already, so much has happened, both good and bad. As someone who tends to look on the negative side of things, I think it's time to focus on the positive. Especially the positive accomplishments of the people in my community. It is Black History Month, after all.
(Cue "what about a 'White History Month?'")
I can't. And I won't.
Moving forward.
Where to start?
Well, why don't we talk about what everyone is talking about? The amazing, cultural revolution that is Black Panther. Not only a box office success, but critically acclaimed, which is a huge deal. Superhero movies usually attract large audiences due to the massive fan bases they've accumulated, but a large box office doesn't mean incredible reviews. (Batman Vs. Superman, Justice League)
Black Panther breaks away from that, garnering an impressive 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the best-reviewed live action superhero film on the site. Pretty impressive, huh? Well, that's not even the extent of it.
As mentioned, the film has had mind blowing box office success. The opening weekend was notable for many reasons. Black Panther received $242.1 million in the U.S. over the four day opening weekend, becoming the second highest opening. Also, setting the record for highest opening from an African-American director. Worldwide, the film has already grossed over $520 million, making it the highest grossing film of the year and fingers crossed, eventually becoming one of the highest grossing ever.
Now, me personally, I've never been too into superheroes, so some people that know me may wonder why I'm discussing this. Well, I pick and choose which superhero movies to watch. I saw Wonder Woman last year because we need more strong female superheroes out in the world. Plus, the movie was fantastic. I also saw the recent Spiderman because he was my favorite superhero growing up, due to one of my elementary school teachers reading the comics to us frequently. Other than that, I'm not too interested. I don't see myself in a lot of them and I thin that's probably the root of it. I want to be represented.
So when I heard about Black Panther, it piqued my interest. Especially, with the almost entirely black cast and the cultural relevance of it. I wasn't sure when I would get around to see it. I hadn't been to the movies since like September, but my mom was the one that urged me to go. She immediately went online and bought us two tickets for the Thursday showing.
And it was amazing. It was unlike anything I had ever seen.
The visuals, the acting, the costumes. It was funnier than I thought it would be and it flowed really well and went further than just having a black cast. It had strong black females like Nakia and Okoye. With Okoye leading the Dora Milaje, who are the special forces of Wakanda. Basically the bodyguards who serve and protect everyone and they're all female, which was an incredible testament to how strong and capable women are and the men of Wakanda respected the hell out of them, which shows how much more progressive their society is than most of the world. Y'all should be taking notes.
Needless to say, I have a new favorite superhero.
The film includes incredible performances from Michael B. Jordan, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Lupita Nyong'o, Chadwick Boseman and so many other great actors of color. I'd like to highlight my personal favorite, standout Letitia Wright who portrays the main character's wildly intelligent, younger sister, Shuri.
I strongly encourage that everyone go out and give Black Panther a shot. You won't be disappointed.
The black superhero representation doesn't stop there. For those of you who are more into watching television in your own home, Black Lightning is another strong contender for representation in a super-powered world.
Black Lightning tells the story of a former superhero with lightning-like abilities, who, after years of going off the grid, starts using his powers again with a new rise in crime in Freeland. The show also features an almost entirely black cast as well, led by Cress Williams, with supporting performances from Christine Adams and Disney Channel's China Anna McClain, who will ,no doubt join the ranks of leading black woman in films someday.
Black Lightning not only provides a modern take on superheroes in a black community, but provides even more minority visibility, in the form of the main character's eldest daughter, Anissa, played by Nafessa Williams. Throughout the first couple of episodes you get to see her experience a lot of changes in her life, specifically the fact that she now is getting powers of her own, as well as finding a love for comic books and superheroes from her new girlfriend, Grace.
Eventually fighting crime under the name Thunder, we now get a queer, black woman as a superhero. It almost doesn't get anymore inclusive than that. It's so exciting and it's a good watch as well. The show itself, is also a success with millions of weekly viewers and a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Definitely something I'd recommend.
Black Lightning is broadcast on The CW on Tuesdays at 9 p.m.
Lastly, I'd like to touch upon the musical accomplishments of the community. Throughout the years, it's kind of been a hit and miss. Sometimes getting the recognition we deserve and other times, feeling set back a couple decades.
Well, I'd like to think that at this time, we are in an upswing. For example, the current number ones are being occupied by black artists. On the Billboard Hot 100, the number one single is by a black artist, Drake and his new hit "God's Plan." The Album chart, Billboard 200 has the Black Panther soundtrack debuting at number one, featuring collaborations from several black artists such as Vince Staples, Khalid, The Weeknd and the current top ten hit "All The Stars" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA.
The latter also making waves in the award show circuits. Lamar being a previous Grammy favorite, winning 12 awards altogether and this year taking home Best Rap Album for his critically acclaimed album DAMN, which is also the the best reviewed album of 2017. Vying again for the top honor of Album of the Year, he unfortunately lost, but with a category featuring four black artists nominated, there were several ways for the community to come out on top. The award went to Bruno Mars who took home two more of the Big Four categories, Song and Record of the Year.
SZA also enjoyed immense success with the release of her debut album CTRL which received unanimous praise and earned her five Grammy nominations, the most for a woman this past year. Unfortunately, not taking home any of them, we still have the honor of Best New Artist going to Alessia Cara, a young black female (and a personal fave) and I'm proud of that.
Even with all of this current success, we can't discount the past success. Last year, Moonlight, a queer black film took home the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor. While in the same ceremony, Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences.
Around the same time, the film Get Out was released, becoming a box office success as well as maintaining a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. As the next Oscars ceremony approaches, the film goes in with four nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.
I know that the world may not be perfect and there is still so much work to do, but it's great to just take a look at what we've done so far. It's inspiring and it shows how much more successful we can become.
We deserve to be heard. We deserve to be recognized.
In the next few years, it is crucial that we see more people of color as leads in movies, shows, books. Specifically women of color, as well, because there are still so many untold stories.
And if you don't want to wait around for that, then as cheesy as this sounds, create the change you want to see. I've already got big plans to feature poc, gender inclusive, queer characters for my future books and I would've loved to be exposed to people like me when I was growing up. That's what I want to provide for the next generation and why everything I just talked about is so important.
We must continue on because there is still a long way to go.
This is only the beginning.