Black Hollywood

When I saw Black Panther a few years back, it was amazing.

While watching it, it was as if I was watching myself. Chadwick was me. Black Panther was the embodiment of my inner man. I want to be a hero. I love my black skin.

From the start to finish, I was captured by every facet of the movie. The soundtrack, the authentic looks, the cinematography was spectacular. Particularly, I loved how they displayed Killmonger.

Yes, he was a villain but was he really? The system has failed him.

His dad who was T'Chaka's brother did betray them. But there was reason for it in my opinion.

He said, "All over the planet, our people suffer because they don't have the tools to fight back. With vibranium weapons, they can overthrow every country and Wakanda can rule them all, the right way." - N'Jobu to T'Chaka.

T'Challa finds out the truth of about his Uncle and that his father killed him in the video below.

N'Jobu's moral compass might have been messed up but he has seen the issues we currently see today. Our people suffer? My people suffer?

Our brown skin is not burden it's a blessing. We are royalty, we are worthy, but yet the way society sees us is different. Even when we become a CEO, we will still be judged heavily if we listen to loud music or wear locs (in which is a natural look for us and having a sponge/twist out hair style.)

As much as N'Jobu was in the wrong, T'Chaka also was. He wanted everything for himself and for his people in the safety bubble of Wakanda. That's what we see today. People are hurting. Rather it's a gang member or somebody dealing with suicidal thoughts. In these places, there is hope and there are people making strives.

Also, there are people like T'Chaka that try to run from the issues. People like him try to stay in their nice Suburban home and say things like, "I trained my kids to follow orders and if they get pulled over by the police, they won't get shot. If they talk properly, they will get into the Ivy League schools."

My question for a lot of you is when will my life matter? Race is and will always be an issue. How you respond to that issue will determine what side of the war you are on. Are you going to act as if these issues do not exist? Are you going to allow hate to cloud your mind? Or are you going to get up and do something?

T'Challa did do something. Both him and his cousin had dealt to them as result of the choices of their fathers. When his cousin tried to save his life, Killmonger rejected the offer. His response was powerful.

"Just bury me in the ocean with my ancestors that jumped from the ships because they knew death was better than bondage." - Killmonger

They did not give up, they were strong. Just as a warrior is willing to die before the enemy kills them, these men and women who jumped were brave. There was not a chance they were going to allow a foreign people to take them from their home land and make them slaves.

Now, that we are on this land we are "free". Bondage is there but when we change our mind, we are free. I'm jumping not from the ship, but into action.

If Black Panther was a powerful movie for you as it was for me, another black superhero you should look into is Black Lighting. It is a show on the CW network. The first three seasons are on Netflix and the fourth season came out earlier this year.

One of the things I love about Black Lighting is how they highlight a true black family. It's not all laughs within this family. There are battles, times of crying, and thoughts of giving up. You may see trials within the household but through the fire the family will hopefully hold together.

Black Lighting - Official Trailer Season 1

Jefferson Pierce agreed to his wife to put up the crime fighting career. Eventually he did not hold up his bargain of the deal and is back trying save those in Freeland. His number one enemy is Tobias Whale played by Marvin Jones III.

It's a hate - love relationship when I'm watching Tobias. He plays the cards so well, being a politician and a cold blooded boss over the gang The 100 in Freeland. The only one who sees through it all is Jefferson Pierce and Peter Gambi. When Jefferson was a child, Tobias came into the Pierce's household and killed Jefferson father. Also, he takes a serum that gives him powers and prevents him from aging.

Tobias and Killmonger are similar in some facets. Killmonger however is more of a loose cannon and was quick to show his colors and take over. Tobias is more cunning, with his slick words and his delivery. However they both saw that in order to win the game, you have to be ten steps in front of the white man. Also, they would cause hurt to their black sisters and brothers if they stepped in their way.

Tobias is Albino and he was harassed by his father when he was younger and that caused a lot of anger in him. It turned him into a monster.

It is also important to note that Black Lightings hits on that fact with Tobias. As adults in black households, we need to be weary of the words, the actions we say around and say to kids. They are sponges and like a solider suffering from PTSD, this is one in the same. They will grow up becoming you and will exhibit the characteristics they saw from watching you.

The show also displays how drugs and weapons are planted in communities. How those that are supposed to protect, actually work against us. The show tackles a lot of issues and is jam packed with action. You can catch season 4 on The CW and on The CW app. This season they had a Breonna Taylor episode and sitting there, I felt anger and sadness. They showed the protests but had a special twist at the end that will leave you will leave you with some hope.

If you loved Black Panther then you will love Black Lighting. Both have a majority black/diverse cast and it's a beautiful thing to see. What we can learn from both is that we cannot help people by siting on the sideline. We have to step into the battle and choose a side.