Girl Power in Black Panther

Greetings to you, readers! I give to you what I loved about the four women in Black Panther, the recently released Marvel movie that hit the silver screen in February 2018 (if you haven’t heard of it, come out from under that rock).

First I will concede that Black Panther carried the day, and ultimately, he needed these fabulous women to help him save the day (and the world?). You already understood that when you swiped your credit card and the tickets spat from the machine into your hand–this wasn’t Wonder Woman, after all. But once you know he’s the hero, you sit back and enjoy the amazing role of these women, both in the fictional society and on the screen.

First of all, the warriors! They had the magic vibranium spears (we can all agree vibranium is magic, right? Or as sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke once said, “Magic’s just science that we don’t understand yet.”), and they moved with swift authority. Plus their leader Okoye played by Danai Gurira is fearsome. And she’s magnificent.

Then there’s Nakia played by Lupita Nyong’o, spy, smart person, and love interest. (Good choice, T’Challa! Though, to be fair, we don’t meet many other eligible Wakandan women.) She’s brave, independent, caring, and clever. Plus, he pines for her, not the other way around. Bam.

Next, T’Challa’s sister and tech wiz, Shuri, played by Letitia Wright. She is whip-smart, playful and observant. Though she’s his little sis, her big brother respects her. She keeps him safe by waving her hands around madly and inventing magic vibranium armor (and a bunch of other mind-blowing techno gadgets) in her lab.

Lastly Ramonda played by Angela Bassett is T’Challa’s mother and the queen. She is majestic, brave, regal. Everyone loves and respects her. Side question: Not sure why she didn’t become queen after the king’s death? (Just wondering.)

Anyway, the girl power in this movie really jumped out at me. (Pun intended.) Lots of other wonderful concepts in this movie including loyalty, family, bravery, and honor were all brought to light and examined in a meaningful way. Since so many other people will write wonderful things about all that, these words are my offering.

Did you love it? Hate it? Refuse to see it? Don’t like superhero movies? Don’t really like movies? Do share. Thanks for reading my blog!