And the story that is about to be told is not just any story; it is the story of every black soul across the human continents.
“Papa, tell me a story,” thus goes the voice of the unknown inquisitive child in the opening scenes of “Black Panther.”
A question
We know that anyone can be disported with any entrancing story. But curiously, we wonder what is in a story that holds people – young and old – captive. And the story that is about to be told is not just any story; it is the story of every black soul across the human continents. Closely interdigitated with the curiosity of the child wanting to be regaled with a story is the yearning for self-definition. The simple, humble, eager, statement comes across as a question: “Papa, who am I?”
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Two voices
An old voice of an unseen elderly man responds carefully as it launches into the identity-unravelling pregnant story. There is such a distance between the two voices (time): you can easily decipher the verdancy of one and the politic sophistication of the other. It is the gentle, knowing, age-oiled voice that takes the anticipating audience through the movie. It is quite easy to trust that voice. Even the voice of the boy you don’t trust easily keeps you in a soothing abeyance that tickles your eagerness. Voice is emblematic of freedom. To be able to tell your story without fear of apprehension is to be free.
Being heard cannot be substituted for anything. Africans have spent a spell just being seen (like mannequins) and not being heard. Only when you are heard correctly can you be seen without pictorial distortion. This movie therefore is Africa’s voice. The old voice telling the story has been well tempered by experiences.
The story he tells is much of a review of his life and the definition of his child’s past and future. Before the old voice temporarily relinquishes the story to the caprices and sway of the visuals, the boy asks if Africans still hide in plain sight. This is striking not only because of its antithetical force but also the fact that people who have no voices are going into hiding.
A panther is a black leopard
The story that the biddable boy wants to listen to is titled “Black Panther.” Panther is a black leopard and a power totem. Panther is a spirit animal. It is a symbol of courage and protection. It aligns with darkness and the moon. It encourages you to walk through the shadows, and fearlessly plunge into the unknown. Panther also symbolizes death and rebirth and aggression.
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With this movie comes black people’s thirst for an all-time instauration. Merriam Webster Dictionary defines “Black Panther” as a member of an organization of militant American blacks.” This movie is a clarion call to awaken the panther spirit soundly asleep in the black world. When the panther in Africans finally comes awake, they will tell their stories in every format available. The movie is a pointer to the panther gradually yawning out of sleep.
Written by Omidire Idowu.
Omidire, Idowu Joshua is a Nigeria content developer, professional editor and proofreader whose works have appeared on different online magazines. He is a movie aficionado. Reach him via: noblelifeliver@gmail.com