The Women of Wakanda: Why Black Panther Has Become a Milestone
March 01, 2018 |
| Image via Essence Magazine |
It's been nearly a month since the phenomenon Black Panther came out in theaters and well it's about time I'd write a little something about it. If you haven't seen it by this point, which I honestly doubt, then stop reading. I promise it won't be spoiler-free at all because I'll be gushing about how and why this movie literally crushed the box office.
So at this point, everyone is already familiar with the plot of the film - King T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman), whom audiences previously met in his debut appearance in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, is faced with the challenge of taking over as King of Wakanda, a fictional but prosperous African country. Upon taking his rightful place in the throne however, a dark secret from his family's past comes back to haunt them in the form of Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), who is revealed to be T'Challa's cousin, and apparently claims he has a right to the throne. Killmonger has his own perspective of the world based on his experience as a black person outside the safe walls of Wakanda and though his views are understandable to a certain point, it still ends up in violence.
But hey, I'm not here to talk about the plot or the story - everyone's done that by now. Don't get me wrong, the story is incredible. The technicalities, the production and the way it was written was really good that I was so excited for the next scene after next. I also of course loved how it well-represented African culture in its finest. Honestly, this film made me appreciate their culture even more - it was just beautiful.
On top of all of that however, I'm mainly going to talk about what stood out for me the most in this film - the women. (And what a perfect time to write this, I just realized, because it's Women's Month!!) In case any of you noticed, T'Challa, though he is the king, is surrounded dominantly by women, and not just women - powerful and strong-willed women who had a character all on their own.
One of the advice King T'Chaka gave his son T'Challa when they met at the ancestral fields is for him to be a great king, he must surround himself with people he can trust. And who does T'Challa surround himself with? Just a few of my new additions to my list of favorite Marvel heroines.
Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett)
"Show him who you truly are!"
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| Photo via Marvel Studios |
What I loved most about the Queen Mother was her role in her son's life: she wasn't just his mother, she also acted as his rock, especially in times of challenge. At the same time, she was also very reflective of their culture and traditions. When we first meet the Queen Mother, she tells T'Challa, "My son, it is your time," and that she and King T'Chaka have been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Her views are very rooted in tradition yet she doesn't give up her primary role of being a mother. When T'Challa falls off the cliff and everyone thought he died, one of the first people deeply affected is Queen Ramonda, and when she finds her son alive, her first instinct is to care for his needs. I love how she remains to be a strong figure by her son's side without giving up tradition.
Okoye (Danai Gurira)
"I am loyal to that throne no matter who sits on it."
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| Photo via Marvel Studios |
If there is one thing I cannot stop gushing about with this film, it's the fact that the King of Wakanda's bodyguards are a group of skilled and powerful (not to mention total badass) women. This is the second time Marvel has given us an all-girl warrior group (remember the Valkyire in Thor: Ragnarok?), and the third time a comic book film blessed us as well (have you forgotten the Amazons aka Wonder Woman's race?). Yes, the Dora Milaje are the sworn warriors of the Wakandan monarch, and they're led by General Okoye, said to be the greatest warrior in Wakanda.
Aside from her wit, what I loved most about Okoye is her character. From start to finish, she was her own character, and she wasn't just a side character. At first she was reluctant and conservative but eventually realized that there is more to what she believes. Nevertheless, she did not let anyone change her views (not even her lover W'Kabi); instead she realized it all on her own when Killmonger usurped the throne. On the night they thought T'Challa died, she tells Nakia that though her heart is with her and the family, she cannot leave because of her duty. And honestly I think a woman who can make decisions all on her own, regardless of the consequences, is empowering.
Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o)
"No. I don't serve my country. I save my country."
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| Photo via Marvel Studios |
Nakia has a lot of strikingly memorable quotes and I think that's what makes her character so great. Yes, she's portrayed as T'Challa's ex-girlfriend/love interest, but she's not just that. Throughout the film, she remains T'Challa's constant adviser, especially when he discovered the secret that is Killmonger. She was there for him and she knew both his strengths and weaknesses.
But apart from all of that, she also held her own views - a liberal perspective in which she believes Wakanda can be doing more for humanitarian aid. She stresses this all throughout the film and like Okoye, she doesn't let anyone, not even T'Challa, change her views on it. In fact, it was actually Nakia's views who convinced T'Challa in the end to open their borders to helping those in need.
As Wakanda's most elite spy, Nakia is also strong-willed and independent. In times of trouble, she always knew what to do and she didn't need anyone saving her. At the start of the film, when T'Challa goes to rescue her as she was on a secret mission, she doesn't just sit in a corner and wait for him, she gets up and gets a gun herself. And when the King dies, her first instinct is to keep safe his mother and sister. If that's not an independent woman, then I don't know what is.
Shuri (Letitia Wright)
"Just because something works doesn't mean it cannot be improved."
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| Photo via Marvel Studios |
I think we can all agree that the breakout star of Black Panther is actually his little sister, who happens to be the smartest person in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Everyone is talking about Shuri, myself included, and it's no wonder why. She delivers some of the film's iconic lines and even some of the sickest burns, as any normal teenager would have it. She brings more than comic relief but life into the story and it's what I loved about her.
Aside from being T'Challa's spunky younger sis, Shuri is basically the head of the science and technology division of Wakanda. She's responsible for all of Wakanda's tech which mainly runs on nothing but Vibranium, the heart of Wakanda itself. Her mind is so powerful yet that doesn't strip her of her youthfulness. When she heals Agent Everett Ross, she still jokes about it as if healing a person's spine overnight was just high school homework ("Don't scare me like that, colonizer!" will remain to be one of the most iconic MCU lines from now on). And when T'Challa brings her to California to show her Wakanda's new refugee projects, she tells him that she wanted to go to Coachella or Disneyland! It's funny but it's realistic - come on, she's sixteen!
Despite her teasing of her brother half the movie, she still shows her loyalty and compassion towards him especially in his time of need. She provides him both the tech and the moral support that every king (and big brother) needs. In the final battle scene, she picks up her own weapons and fights alongside Nakia to face Killmonger himself. She's not only witty but compassionate as well, and that's what I love about her character so much; Letitia Wright just really nails the role so well.
If you notice I would always mention T'Challa's relation to the four ladies. Of course, the film is about him, but it would be a completely different story if these four women were not by his side. Remember when we first met him in Captain America: Civil War? We did not know much about his character yet except for the fact that he was the son of King T'Chaka. Now in his story we met the people most important to him and how they help shape T'Challa's character. Without them, he would not be able to become a great king nor a good person.
Anyways, I've come to a point where I feel like I've drained out all the words and I may be rambling a little too much but hey, the point of the matter is go watch Black Panther and if you already have, watch it again! And here's to hoping whenever you watch it from now on, you'd remember all the women in your lives who've helped shape you become a better person. In fact, this Women's Month, let's celebrate all the women who have been a huge part of our lives! Also, Wakanda forever!
♥, Murgaloo
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