(Archive April 2018) Black Panther Claws Its Way to the Top

By Maurisa Weld | Observer Contributor

Marvel Studios’ Black Panther has struck a controversial debate in the U.S. The blockbuster has become a Hot Topic, creating arguments especially on social media as some say the movie is racist. The movie set in a fictional land in Africa, Wakanda, and is said to be the first black super-hero movie. Fans argue that it is just that: a superhero movie. While others say there is a hidden meaning of racism towards the white community. 

Joseph Hollenbeck, a student at Fitchburg University, shared his belief. His argument was that the only two white characters throughout the movie were portrayed in negative ways. The first being the main super villain, and the second being weak and ignorant. “Claus” (pronounced “Claw”) is introduced as an American and his duty as super villain is to steal the resource- Vibranium, from the people of Wakanda. Hollenbeck suggested that this course of action refers to the historians of America bringing slaves over, stealing their culture.

However Meaghan Doiran and Terngu Nomishan defended the movie. Doiran, a Gardner High School graduate, said, “what about all the movies made in the 20’s?” She explained that movies made in America for several decades were “point blank” racist to black people. “The fact that some people have an issue with this movie is mind blowing. If white people think it is racist to have an entirely black cast…I think that is racist.” 

She went on to say that even today movies set in America will either have a white majority cast or even entirely white. She said that it is due to the setting; the most populated ethnicity in the U.S are in fact white.

Terngu Nomishan, a comic book fanatic, agreed with Doiran. He said that the movie based on the Marvel comic character takes place in Africa, so it would only make sense to have African characters. 

Nomishan, of African decent, said that the only hidden meaning of Black Panther is celebration of culture. The characters wear traditional African clothing and jewelry.

If you have seen the movie you surely noticed the man with the large plate in his lip. “The lip plate is actually very common in African culture. The movie shows authentic culture, it’s a body modification. It seems scary to other culture’s but it’s actually the same exact thing as gauges.” His reference is to the large holes in the ears of many young Americans today. 

Nomishan ended his argument with another interesting observation. He said that not a single female character had straightened hair. 

With the movie being a blockbuster, it can teach black women to embrace their natural hair like the strong women of Wakanda.