Black Panther became one of the most successful Marvel films, earning high box office receipts as well as wide press coverage. The success is based on the stunning special effects, costumes, and captivating superhero storyline typical of Marvel. However, the most prominent feature of Black Panther was the coverage in the film of themes significant to the African diaspora and references to African heritage and the past. Therefore, this paper will examine the elements of the film Black Panther touching upon the themes of slavery and colonization, which demonstrate the struggle of the African diaspora.
The plot of the film Black Panther and its characters give the audience a clear vision of the story’s central theme. However, understanding many of the elements requires knowledge of the history of Africa and the enslavement of Africans during the time of colonization. The first element that requires interpretation is the valuable vibranium resource, which allows the creation of a high-tech country Wakanda, hides it from the outside world, and can also endow its residents with superpowers (Coogler).
Vibranium is the most valuable resource for Wakandans, as it allows them to be the advanced state and remain independent. For this reason, Wakanda has been hiding for decades, fearing that other states or people might want to take away the vibranium. Such a depiction of Africa in the scientific literature is called “Afrofuturism”, which examines the state of the diaspora and describes the place of Africa in the future using elements of fantasy and real stories (Izadi). While this image demonstrates a shift towards positive action in African development, vibranium is also a symbol for illuminating the past.
The history of Medieval Africa shows the enormous importance of gold in the development of countries. The empires of Ghana, Mali, Songhai, and some other countries in different periods were the main suppliers of gold to Europe for centuries (Cartwright). Most African lands have significant reserves of this valuable metal practically on the surface of the earth, which was used by the first Europeans trading on the continent. However, such wealth began to attract more and more European states, which most often did not want to participate in trade honestly, which became the reason for the conquest and colonization of Africa (Cartwright).
Consequently, Wakanda and its vibranium reserves in the film symbolize an Africa that could exist if Europeans with firearms did not invade Africa and deprive local states of the opportunity to develop for centuries. Gold was its vibranium for Africa, but the necessity of foreign trade forced it to attract the attention of Europeans. Thus, Wakanda is a symbol and sign of respect for the African people as it demonstrates faith in African countries and recognizes their potential.
The character of Killmonger, the main antagonist of the film, is also central to understanding the history of the African diaspora displayed by the movie. Even though that Killmonger is a villain, his character portrays the feelings and alienation of a person who was forcibly deprived of his culture and family. As Kabir notes, “Killmonger is nomadic, restless, and has made the battlefield wildernesses of the world his home” (127).
According to the plot of the film, Killmonger was betrayed by his uncle and left away from home. This story parallels the fate of thousands of Africans who became slaves in American lands and were deprived of their family, home, and culture. This feeling is also one of Killmonger’s motives as he strives to return to his own culture and help millions of black people get their rights. However, the culture in which he grew up and this constant sense of alienation made him violent and formed his real motive, which is hegemony in the world.
The fiction of a film about superheroes and supervillains requires exaggeration, which is reflected in Killmonger’s ideas, but, in general, they reflect one of their manifestations of what slavery has done to the African diaspora. Despite Killmonger’s desire to return to his culture, his behavior, lack of demeanor, and way of thinking is significantly different from T’Challa’s, which is the epitome of Wakanda. One of the characters reminds him of this fact, saying that Killmonger can scar himself as much as he wants, but for the Wakandans, he will always be an outsider (Coogler).
Probably, Killmonger understands this fact, and it angers him, for this reason, he takes an extreme position, which makes him not a liberator but a villain. As Serwer notes, Killmonger’s stance is reminiscent of US policy because he wants to intervene in conflicts to protect black people, as the Bush administration did in other conflicts. Thus, the hypertrophied character of the antagonist demonstrates who a person can become if they have been deprived of their culture but taught to see violence as the primary way to achieve goals.
Nevertheless, Killmonger’s character also portrays the African diaspora’s pride, struggle, and strength, who fought for their freedom and culture during the slave trade. First, despite the extreme of ideas, Killmongher advocated for the rights of black people around the world and wanted Wakanda to reveal itself and the source of its wealth to help others. Although in the final battle with T’Challa, Killmonger is defeated and died, he achieved his goal in relation to Wakanda.
T’Challa regrets the death of his cousin, doubts his faith in his father and realizes that Killmonger is right (Coogler). These events force him to open Wakanda to the world to use its development and wealth for social initiatives and assistance to other states. Although T’Challa chooses other methods that are effective and less brutal, he continues to Killmonger’s fight. This idea is key for the African diaspora, which has not continued its struggle for centuries.
Most revealing, however, is Killmonger’s latest statement, which is a direct reference to the suffering of Africans in The Middle Passage. The Middle Passage is the name of the road through the Atlantic Ocean that abducted Africans who crossed in the holds of ships during the slave trade and is a general designation of the tragic experience of the African diaspora. Thousands of people suffered, ached, and died in cramped holds, humiliated by their nakedness and filth, frightened by the unknown and pain on the way to becoming the slaves of the white people (Jimmie Sanders).
Many of these people committed suicide by jumping into the water to avoid pain and humiliation deprived of their freedom. This fact is addressed by Killmonger, refusing T’Challa’s offer to get help from doctors and save his life. He says: “Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from the ships because they knew death was better than bondage” (Coogler). Thus, Killmonger apprises the struggle and courage of his ancestors and the experience of the African diaspora in the fight for freedom.
Another way that expresses respect and is significant for the African diaspora is the images of women in the film. During slavery and the Middle Passage, women experienced constant humiliation, objectification and were victims of violence (Jimmie Sanders). This attitude was destroying for their honor and fostered false stereotypes and perceptions of African women and subordinated roles. However, Black Panther displayed strong female warriors and leaders who were respected by men in society and held important positions. Such portrayal is critical for the African diaspora as they faithfully reflect the social hierarchy of most African cultures and elevate their image and pride.
Therefore, the multiple details and messages of the film demonstrate that Black Panther is one of the outstanding films for the African diaspora. An attitude of respect, appreciation, and understanding of African culture and the past is expressed not only in the details of costumes, music, or rituals but also in relevant references and parallels with history. The film mentions such critical historical moments as the Middle Passage, slavery, and colonization, as well as its impact on people’s identity and development of African countries, diaspora, and culture.
At the same time, the images of representatives of African culture in the characters of Wanakanda demonstrate strength, intelligence, and dedication to values, even in the protagonist. Thus, although the plot is centered around the confrontation of heroes with superpowers and is filled with fantasy elements, it reflects the past, present, and desired future of the African diaspora.
Works Cited
Black Panther. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures, 2018.
Cartwright, Mark. “The Gold Trade of Ancient & Medieval West Africa.” The World History Encyclopedia, 2019. Web.
Izadi, Elahe. “Already Seen ‘Black Panther’? Here Are Some References You Might Have Missed.” The Washington Post. 2021. Web.
Kabir, Ananya Jahanara. “Alegropolis: Wakanda And Black Panther’s Hall of Mirrors.” The Cambridge Journal of Postcolonial Literary Inquiry, vol. 7, no. 2, 2020, pp. 121–135. Web.
Serwer, Adam. “The Tragedy of Erik Killmonger.” The Atlantic. 2018. Web.
“The Middle Passage Documentary by Steven Spielberg.” YouTube, uploaded by Jimmie Sanders. 2013. Web.