Wakanda Forever: A tribute to Chadwick Boseman

Like many, I woke up yesterday to the terribly sad and unexpected news that the immensely talented Chadwick Boseman had passed away at the young age of 43.

It turns out Boseman had been fighting cancer since 2016; when he was diagnosed with a stage 3 colon tumour. This was long before he took the iconic role of King T’Challa; the protagonist of the hugely successful 2018 film, Black Panther.

I recall watching this superhero movie in the cinema and was mesmerised by the plot and special effects; as well as the acting of this largely black cast that really brought Wakanda to life, in what was an unprecedented blockbuster for Hollywood.

To think that amidst filming his lead parts in this epic feature and the subsequent Avenger films, he was battling the dreaded “C” word with intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions is all the more remarkable!

Yet, Boseman was an extraordinary actor and human being. A role for him wasn’t simply about a pay cheque. It had to truly mean something and he took on each part he played with a scholarly approach to ensure he had done himself justice beyond takings at the box office.

He was all about redefining and celebrating black culture on the big screen and studiously  played a number of leading  figures including Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Thurgood Marshall, but it was Black Panther that propelled him to a more mainstream audience.

In an age where there are few genuine role models for black youngsters, Boseman offered something special and we now know his off-screen courage in battling his ill health with such dignity was on par with his onscreen warrior persona. Undoubtedly, he inspired a generation, who had  never seen a person of colour in a lead superhero role before.

Back in April of this year, fans caught a glimpse of a very gaunt looking Boseman, who had startled many with his dramatic weight loss. There were rumours this was for an upcoming new movie and he was trolled considerably. Yet, rather than feed the trolls, he simply soldiered on as he had done in his  lengthy private battle against a terminal neoplastic disease.

Boseman had long transcended away from merely being an actor that simply hoarded wealth, material possessions and instafame. He was a highly articulate and humble individual; who strived to live his life with purpose. It appears illness had only strengthened his resolve to leave this world with a legacy of hope in a sea of adversity and a conviction to follow a path of righteousness.

This is exemplified in his heart felt and marvellous commencement speech commencement speech at Howard University in 2018; again now all the more inspiring and poignant given the hidden cloud of illness that was sitting over him. He quoted Jeremiah 29:11 to his fellow alumni and said amongst many gems: “Sometimes you need to feel the pain and sting of defeat to activate the real passion and purpose that God predestined inside of you.”

When Boseman’s T’Challa graced the UN Assembly during the post credit scene of Black Panther, he said: “In times of crisis, the wise build bridges and the foolish build barriers.”

The world could really do with T’Challa right now with the Trump administration at the helm and the Covid pandemic continuing to reign its claws over the world.

RIP King; a truly gifted actor, writer and humanitarian. Gone too soon, but never forgotten. Wakanda Forever🏾‍♂️.

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Written by admin99