The Fusion of Activism and Imagination in Ryan Coogler's Black Panther
Loading...
Date
2021-06-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Scholar Publications & Research International
Abstract
Literature has enabled Blacks all over the world in looking toward the
future, by envisioning the world they want to see, and taking concrete steps
to create it. They see the need to rekindle the spirit of radical imagination
that fueled so many black activists before now. What then constitutes these
imaginations among the Blacks is the focus of this paper. The methodology
is exclusively analytical and discursive in approach, with a touch of Post-colonial theory and Afrofuturism. Afrofuturist ideas have further been
expanded by scholars like Alondra Nelson, Greg Tate, Tricia
Rose, KodwoEshun, and others. The primary data selected for the purpose
of this study is the movie titled Black Panther an American superhero film,
produced and directed by Kevin Feign and Ryan Coogler in 2018,
respectively. The data is subjected to qualitative analysis to determine the
depth of its richness to what imaginative activism is, in the lives of the
Blacks. The study finds out that the events and technological advancement
in the Black Panther could be said to have been the dream every Black man
in the world have been craving for. Ryan Coogler, the movie director
affirms that, it was his quest for African identity that led to the emergence
of the movie. This paper has discussed, with copious examples on how
Wakanda exemplifies the imagination of the writer and the cultural
assertion of the African heritage. With the audio surveillance system,
automated shoes, sonic stabilizers and magnetic levitation, Wakanda is believed to be more of a magical place in the eyes of the whites rather than
technologically advanced enclave of the Blacks. This paper acknowledges
the fact that one day, Black nation would rise to be part of the shakers and
movers of the world. And with the fusion of activism and imagination
highlighted in this paper, it is evident that there is hope for the Blacks in
the universe. In conclusion, this study has been able to answer the questions
on activism and imagination in Black movement couple with the various
instances where the movie envisions Black prospect, Black cultural
reassertion, in contrast to the way it has been viewed by Africans and the
outside world, the unity of the Black nation in forming a county called
Wakanda; the incredible role of the female characters; the management of
their natural resources (vibranium) to proffer solution to their immediate
needs; the readiness to help other third world country in time of crises such
as Nigeria, and so on.