Black Panther (2018), Directed by Ryan Coogler, is a movie about a fictional country in Africa called Wakanda. In this country, five tribes formed together millions of years prior to form the one kingdom, on top of very precious land which holds Vibranium. In the movie, T’challa, the main character, loses control of his kingdom after his cousin comes back to challenge him for the throne. They have different views on the place of Wakanda and the world, and fight for the future of the kingdom, bringing together international conflict and friendship to the movie.
Black Panther is a popular movie in the United States and the world, for being one of the first Marvel movies to show all non white main characters. In 2018, it brought a lot of attention and cultural diversity to movies and acting because of the types of people who are usually casted. This brought a huge movement to the movie world, to start casting people of color and people with disabilities, as well as casting them for roles they would be good at skill wise, not just look wise. Rotten Tomatoes is one of the most known movie rating companies and explained this movie as, “introducing some of its most fully realized characters”. We also have seen the cultural and technical aspects it has brought to inform the audience on African culture. Seeing the scenes with formal clothing/jewelry, appointing kings, and the spread out of land is similar to countries and tribes in Africa today who appoint kings, or have formal wear. Many of the medical and spiritual rituals have also been mimicked from cultures of those in Southern Africa (Nisa). We also noticed in the movie when T’challa was on the throne, music of his home nation would be playing compared to his cousin, who would be introduced with trap music signifying an American on the throne.
In this course, we have talked about many links that would be similar to Black Panther like cultural differences, racial differences, and stereotypes. We can relate what the world originally thought of Wakanda to Aijaz Ahmed’s Jameson’s Rhetoric of Otherness and National Allegory. In his writing, he speaks about how the world sees his home country of India as “the third world”(Ahmed 77) instead of maybe a second or first. This is due to colonization/imperialism but most importantly because people have never traveled to India and been there, to see how advanced the country actually is.
Overall, Black Panther is an Amazing movie with a lot to unpack and digest about the world and especially what we have learned in this class.
Works Cited
Ahmed, Aijaz. “Jameson’s Rhetoric of Otherness and ‘National Allegory’ .” CarmenCanvas, The Ohio State University COMPSTD1100, https://osu.instructure.com/courses/106813/files/33418701?module_item_id=6554078.
“Black Panther.” Rotten Tomatoes, https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_panther_2018.
Coogler, Ryan, et al. Black Panther. Black Panther, The Ohio State University , https://digitalcampus-swankmp-net.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/osu339411/grid. Accessed 26 Nov. 2021.
Shostak, Marjorie. Nisa: The Life and Words of a!Kung Woman. Routledge, 2015.
Hi! I had already watched Black Panther before I read your context presentation, yet I still felt engaged while reading it. I feel as though your connections to class materials helped me understand the movie at a greater depth than before. I particularly enjoyed when you discussed how the movie’s casting choices impacted the movie industry as a whole. Since then, I think its great that movies now include more people of color and individuals with disabilities as well. An inclusive movie industry has such an impact on everyone, which is great that its improving! Overall, great context presentation!
You did a great job on your presentation and you included some very interesting and valid points. I also like how you compared Black Panther to the concept of the Other and how their country is seen as third world and considered less than. You are also correct that this movie is significant for its perspective of race and how African Americans are the main characters rather than an all white cast.
This was such a great context presentation post. I am so happy that you enjoyed Black Panther as much as I did! I agree with you on how the movie also ties into the racial studies we have covered over the semester this far. Black Panther was a great example of the rich cultures within Africa and I am so glad that you explained that so well!
Great Presentation! I have watched the film before reading this, but this allowed me to piece together parts of the film. I liked how you included when T’challa’s cousin took the throne Erik took the throne, trap music was playing to signify his American heritage. This was something I also noticed, when watching the film.
Absolutely amazing job on your context presentation! I especially enjoyed how you shared information about how the release of this stellar movie impacted present day pop culture. Additionally, great job connecting how we see themes of Ahmad’s work in Black Panther. Like you mentioned, it was eye opening to have media incorporate actors of color with disabilities. It marks the beginning of a more progressive society that place diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront.
The way in which you gave insight and background to the movie was such a great idea! This allowed me to tie in features I didn’t know, such as the rotten tomato characteristic which they explained the movie. I also enjoyed how you brought to light the correlation between the idea of Otherness and National Allegory. This was a great “bringing it home” aspect for me. Well done!
I just want to applaud you for writing such a well thought-out post. You did such a great job providing a well explained summary of the assigned movie, Black Panther. This really helped in providing responses to discussion posts later. I enjoyed reading how you compared Black Panther to Otherness. Overall, I enjoyed reading what you wrote!
Hello!
I want to start off my comment by praising you on the detail and attention you put into this context presentation! I myself had already watched the film yet sill felt engaged and interested in all the details points you were bringing up in your post. I want to comment on a specific sentence you said stating “seeing the scenes with formal clothing/jewelry, appointing kings, and the spread out of land is similar to countries and tribes in Africa today who appoint kings, or have formal wear.” I love that you bring up the detail of the clothing/costuming and the meanings of culture they carry on the characters back. Clothing is such an important and big representation of culture and I believe it was a important detail culturally for the spectators to admire and look at during the film.
Excellent written context presentation! I liked how you added that one of the things The Black Panther is known for is showing all non white main characters. This shows that times are changing in our society and we are becoming more equal.
Great context presentation! The last paragraph you wrote really stuck with me, the connection you made between the “third world” and otherness due to imperialism and colonization. Being a “third world” is something alot of other countries face, do you think they have the same feeling of being labeled as the Other? Overall, very well done and nicely written!
Great context presentation. Although I watched Black Panther, it was very helpful to read your background introduction because you provided a more detailed explanation and introduction. In addition to the brilliant plot, the Black Panther’s treatment of race is a very good aspect, because it focuses on people of color and the disabled, rather than the heroism of whites in the past. The African culture and technology we come into contact with are rendered and processed by white people. We can see the shadow of African culture through the film, Black Panther. Generally speaking, I like your presentation.
Hi! Great job on your context presentation, I have personally seen Black Panther a couple times before referencing your blog, and I still felt very intrigued and that you do a great job at adding in all the key points throughout the movie, including race and the African culture throughout the movie. In regards to how you referenced it back to what we have learned thus far is class was done very well, and your understanding for the material showed through. Once again, great job!
Hi! Excellent performance on your context presentation. You provided me with a lot of background information. That could definitely allow me to see how others perceive the movie. In addition, your presentation of the plot is very clear and understandable to me. Therefore, I do believe that it could help me to better understand the movie. I especially agree with you about the part you talked about how the movie relates with racial problems in current society and Aijaz Ahmed’s Jameson’s Rhetoric of Otherness. However, I think the movie put far less work on further illustrating the issue.