Representation Matters

Representation is acknowledgement. Representation is respect. Representation is inclusion. So guess what? Representation Matters. Seeing your people or a likeness being part of pop culture matters. Seeing true historical accounts, with all its rightful players matters.
Witnessing a 'variety' of historical events, to do with your people on screen matters. Even witnessing mythological nods to one's culture matters.

And so we have seen, that those who are starved of representation, in a culture that is diverse, will become rightly complacent of the exclusion, even more so, when their stories are being told without their permission, inclusion or consultation. And so it should come as no big surprise, that Marvel's Black Panther has broken the record for pre-ticket sales, and this, one whole month before the film is released. I hate that too many aspects of life, have to become an issue of race, however, as tired as you are about hearing about it, think about those actually going through it. 

Writer of 'Girls Trip' and 'Barbershop: The Next Cut"

Part of the problem, of when it comes to being represented (regularly) in fantasy, sci-fi and the horror genre, lies within the false notion, that somehow people of African descent have no interest in these type of films and stories. And this does not come from any statistical data, oh no, this is just the general nonsense spewed out by executives who don't actually go to the movies. Unfortunately these beliefs are carried throughout many of the upper echelons of the Hollywood decision makers as gospel, so if a 'black' film (whatever that actually is) does well, especially in a genre it is not supposed to, studio executives are surprised. Maybe you've noticed, but a film with a mostly white cast, is known as a film, a film with a mostly black cast, is known as a black film. Why the separation? Are execs actually factoring racism into their analysis and therefore staking less money. Perhaps, but the tide is turning, as films such as Gods Of Egypt, which are so wholly ridiculous in their casting are becoming scrutinised for it. Yet to an executive, a movie with a budget of over $100million, is not going to have a certain type of lead or ensemble.

The idea of Black Panther and what it actually represents has become such a phenomena, especially in the current climate of worldwide politics, that parties and group outings, with the appropriate fashions, are being orchestrated around the release date. To some, the film is just another superhero movie...right? But what this reaction really shows us, is the power of positive representation. Note; that the values behind a character such as BP and a culture such as Wakanda, are going to display something that is rare for real life and all the different mediums of fiction; a black superhero, from a black culture, that isn't poor and destitute, doing good things. I give kudos to Marvel for affording BP the same respect that they have given to their other projects from the MCU stable. But we should remember, this is not a regular practice. But to a kid coming up in this current society, the possibility of greatness, through that powerful medium of movie imagery will be everything.

AND IN OTHER NEWS...

"The sword and sorcery film is set in Ancient Kemet. The trilogy follows three of the kingdom's most powerful Queens while they fight to preserve the Royal bloodline and protect the principles of Gods they praise." The cast will be black, so guess the estimated budget.....$2,500,000. 

CLICK TO WATCH 6 PART BLACK PANTHER ANIMATION