The data keeps streaming in, and the signs are clear: black people can support a film in which theyre properly represented. Weve been saying this for years to anyone who would listen. But, what did we get? More coonery, more gangster films and more silliness.
But, with Black Panther, we see something that acknowledges our hearts eternal desire, freedom. People get it vastly twisted regarding freedom. For, it simply isnt a matter of being able to come and go as we chose, or to do whatever we wish. True freedom is mental.
So, with an instinctual need to see black freedom manifest in some manner, even fictional, millions of Americans of African descent flocked to the theater to do their part in making Black Panther a historic success that rocked out with a $242 million opening weekend.
They say black dont support, huh? Black dont sell, right? Man, they be LYIN! Theater revenue was up 56 percent over the weekend average in Atlanta, 31 percent in Washington and 81 percent in Memphis, according to Walt Disney Co., which distributed the film from its Marvel Studios division.
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According to some estimates, theaters are suffering through a 25-year low in attendance. Poor representation, crappy movies, bootleg sellers and overused plot formulas aside, its difficult to definitively say what caused those lows in decades past. But Black Panther, with great representation, great community support and a wildly original plot, seems to be the elixir. Yep, it makes you say Hmmm Shout outs to Arsenio Hall.
Black Panther is the latest and biggest in a series of recent hits that feature black actors in major roles, like Hidden Figures and Get Out.
BLACK PANTHER Trailer 2 (Extended) Marvel 2018
Here is Trailer 2 for Black Panther
Everyone is claiming Wakanda, Vanessa Kelly, a spokeswoman for the Urban League of Greater Atlantas guild group, said of the films fictional kingdom. Kelly attended a Feb. 15 screening with about 150 of the organizations members, many in West African-inspired prints or dressed all in black like the title character. Were all just claiming Wakanda as a universal country. There was so much pride over the representation of seeing our culture on screen.
