A White Response to Black Panther
In observance of Black History Month and in celebration of Black Panther’s one year anniversary and its multiple Oscar nominations, my next few Musings Monday posts are centered around lessons learned from this stellar 2018 film.
Though the hero Black Panther has a long, rich history in Marvel Comics, my first introduction to the character was in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. Though the directors did a fantastic job debuting the character for movie audiences, I still didn’t know much about Wakanda, and I wasn’t sure what the movie would entail. I, along with most everyone else who watched, was blown away. Indeed, the themes and cultural impact of the film dwarf even those of Avengers: Infinity War.
I watched Black Panther multiple times during its theatrical run, and I gained a new appreciation for it with each viewing. If you somehow haven’t seen it yet, or feel the need to rewatch it, you can find it here on Amazon. [Full disclosure: This is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.]
For this first post, I’m looking at my thoughts and lessons as a white guy. In the next couple weeks, I’ll take a look at some of the other, even more crucial themes to be considered in the film. (For those of you rolling your eyes that I’m talking about the the white characters in this primarily black film, please humor me, and wait to judge until after you read the whole thing.)
White in Wakanda
When Black Panther’s first trailer dropped, I was ecstatic. Of course, I was excited as a superhero fan, as I love most superhero movies. But why was I excited? That first teaser trailer opens up with a scene featuring Ulysses Klaue talking to CIA agent Everett Ross about the secrets of Wakanda. Both of these characters had been in previous MCU films, but more importantly: Ross was portrayed by Martin Freeman, and Klaue was portrayed by Andy Serkis.
That’s Bilbo and Gollum.
This pairing of actors provided arguably the best scene in the entire Hobbit trilogy, and now they’re sharing a scene in an upcoming Marvel movie? I was hyped up.
When I saw more reactions to the trailer and then the film, I realized something. My reaction to the Black Panther trailer is probably one of the whitest possible reactions I could’ve possibly had. I clearly didn’t get it.
Then I saw the movie, and as an outsider looking in, I realized my journey hasn’t been all that different than Agent Ross’s. And I also realized with these two characters, we have two responses, two choices, two paths.
Let me explain.
Ross and Klaue Are Outsiders
Both of these characters are white, but they have a couple other things in common. One, they’re not from Wakanda. They were born elsewhere, and by birth they are separate from Wakanda. But both see the value Wakanda has. And what does Wakanda have that’s so valuable? Vibranium.
Vibranium is a resource with thousands of uses. It made Captain America’s shield. It’s used in all of Wakanda’s advanced technology. It’s also inextricable from Wakandan culture. In many ways, Wakanda is vibranium.
Vibranium is beauty, vibranium is art, vibranium is science, vibranium is prosperity, vibranium is everything it needs to be. Vibranium is the vehicle of Wakandan civilization. Vibranium is what enabled Wakanda to be distinct from the rest of the world.
And vibranium is misunderstood by white people, and literally everybody outside of Wakanda. In the end of the movie, when T’Challa announced to the U.N. that Wakanda intends to share its technology with the world, an ignorant world leader vocally doubts Wakanda’s usefulness.
But Ulysses Klaue knows Wakanda’s usefulness full well…
Klaue: Opressor and Pimp
Audiences learn in the film that Ulysses Klaue has been stealing and selling vibranium for decades. (Is it mere irony that he sells vibranium on the Black Market, or should we overlook it as coincidence?)
When Klaue sells Wakandan technology and resources, he’s essentially pimping their culture to benefit himself. Klaue represents Oppressors, and everything wrong with the conquistador mindset. Though he doesn’t have the ability to overthrow Wakanda or directly oppress or colonize the country, he does a version of this when he steals their vibranium.
He’s exploiting Wakanda’s art and innovation for his own gain. But then there’s Agent Ross.
Ross: From Ignoramus to Ally
One key thing about Agent Ross’s character: He isn’t a bad guy. He’s not racist, but he is ignorant. He thinks it would be better for Klaue to be in CIA custody. He’s initially incredulous when Klaue describes Wakanda as not being a third world country. He works with T’Challa, and has worked with him in the past (see Captain America: Civil War).
But he’s ignorant. He’s not evil for not knowing, but until he knows, he’s an obstacle instead of an ally.
Then, something changes. Or, more accurately, Ross changes. He goes to Wakanda. He sees the culture up close. He sees the technology that saved his life. He sees the beauty, the art, the complexity.
Only by going to Wakanda and only by spending time with T’Challa, Shuri, Nakia, Okoye, and others does he see his ignorance and learn. They saved his life, and Ross had the humility to learn, observe, and change accordingly.
He becomes an ally when he appreciates Wakanda and respects their culture. He sees the value of vibranium, not in dollar appraisal but in its invaluable beauty and potential.
Ross or Klaue: Who Will You Be?
I identify with Ross. I’ve never been racist, but I have been ignorant. Growing up, I was never exposed to racism. I celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday along with everyone else, but I never quite understood how recent the Civil Rights movement was. In my understanding, racism was dead.
Segregation is gone, Jim Crow is gone, and everyone has the right to vote. In my mind, I understood that there are some evil racists left in the world, but by and large in America, we’ve been done with racism for years.
It just so happens I was ignorant.
The longer I’ve lived life, the more I’ve learned, and the more people I’ve met. Over the years, I’ve understood that issues like race and discrimination are more complicated and nuanced than I gave them credit for. The more I’ve listened to minorities, the more I understand what people go through.
Though I am applying this specifically to white people, as I am one of them, this application really applies to everyone: Listen to those who are different from you. Have real, nonjudgmental dialogue. Seek to understand before you seek to correct.
I’m NOT saying “Now that I have minorities as friends I understand how to fix all racial tensions in America.” It’s not about collecting friends to up your multicultural street-cred.
It’s about not casting judgement before you’ve taken the time to know someone. It’s about being humble enough to listen, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s about being mature enough to admit your own faults and ignorance, and being willing to build bridges in the process.
When you hear from people who are different than you, you have two primary choices.
One, you can appreciate their identity, their art, their intelligence, their vibranium for the beauty that it is. And with that appreciation you may even work with that person to bring about more beauty and more unity.
Or two, you can look for ways to exploit them, distorting their purpose, perverting their power, corrupting their identity.
Ross or Klaue. The choice is yours.
