Black Panther – Superheroes And Inclusion
Black Panther , the latest film to reach us from the Marvel Universe, has received mostly positive reviews. Since its release, film critics and viewers have been enthusiastic about this production, which they describe as a “masterpiece”. Of course, one or two doubts were expressed, but by and large the praise dominated and we want to agree with this opinion. Black Panther undoubtedly inspires reflection on the identity of superheroes – including those from the real world.
In this film directed by Ryan Coogler, most of the characters have dark skin. In fact, the cinema production is based on the Marvel comic of the same name, which made a dark-skinned figure of African descent the protagonist for the first time. Black Panther has thus served as a reference character for a long time. This personality combines numerous characteristics that make it easy for the viewer to identify with her.
Marvel Comics and DC are two of the largest comic producers in the United States. After the launch of Black Panther , both began to broaden their range of characters and attribute traits to them that had previously been underrepresented. So Luke Cage and Falcon saw the light of day, who also have dark skin. Even a fair-day character, namely Green Lantern, has been remodeled into a dark-skinned hero. This expansion of the comic horizon meant that the editions of the publishers mentioned became much more popular. Sales increased because a wider audience could identify with the characters depicted.
What makes this change so interesting?
Inclusion and identification
In order to create a community, it is necessary to instill a sense of belonging in all of its members. This can be created on different levels and is always associated with the positive effect that social progress is favored. That is why inclusion is such an important and actually relevant topic for everyone. And Black Panther can be seen as the starting point for a development that leads to more diversity via progressive inclusion.
With the expansion of the spectrum of superheroes to include characters of African or Asian descent, including those who represent minorities, the producers are reaching a more heterogeneous audience. There is something for everyone and that is noticeable in the market. Viewed quite soberly, it is the case that all those groups that were previously underrepresented form a majority as a whole. From an ethical point of view, it is also questionable why the protagonists in comics, films & Co. always have to be white men – regardless of sales figures.
We don’t want to deny that the market is still ruled by money. But as a society we have made progress towards the inclusion of those groups that have received little attention for a long time. More and more people understand that cultural diversity is an asset, not a threat. Those who take the time to get to know members of these population groups will quickly find that they have more in common with them than that differences separate them. This can be translated into improved social dynamics and a plus in tolerance.
Black Panther – a blockbuster not for nothing
Black Panther is also treading this path towards more equality and tolerance . This film, which hit theaters in early 2018, is about the admirable black panther and is set in the fictional African country of Wakanda. After the murder of the previous king and leader, the people of Wakandas now have to trust the Crown Prince in T’Challa.
T’Challa, the alter ego of the black tank, is a superman: he has amazing abilities that give him strength and speed. And it is those skills that should help him to become the protector of Wakanda as a black panther. Despite all the superpowers, T’Challa has to face a variety of challenges that come with being king. Only with the help of his sister Shuri, the spy Nakia and the warriors Dora Milaje is he able to protect his people from danger.
The film addresses several stereotypes. Not only do dark-skinned people predominate in the cast, but Black Panther also became an opportunity for people of African descent to prove themselves behind the camera. both the director and producer of the film have dark skin.
Not to mention skin color, Black Panther also took the chance to portray strong, intelligent and independent characters as women. For example, there is T’Challa’s younger sister, Princess Shuri, who has an impressive knowledge of engineering and science. Nakia is a warrior who spies and thus enables herself to free women who are exposed to violence. No less noticeable is that the entire royal guard is female. It is made up of the best trained and strong female warriors in the kingdom.
The cinema as a pioneer of social change
The cinema – and a number of other media – functions as a tool for spreading and consolidating ideals and values. Certainly the adoption of new ideas is a complex process in which other factors play a role, but it cannot be denied that the cinematographic representation of inclusion has an impact on the perception of interpersonal relationships.
It is therefore to be welcomed that cinema is gaining in diversity, that we are increasingly meeting protagonists who have their roots in foreign cultures. They give us the chance to get to know these cultures. A greater variety on the screen, large as well as small, contributes to the fact that the tolerance also increases in real rooms. In schools, at work, during leisure activities and everywhere else.
