I may be late on this, but I needed some time to process this. For some reason, the death of Chadwick Boseman has hit me hard. Only Michael Jackson’s passing has left me with such an empty feeling, knowing that such a tremendous talent was taking so soon. I think the closeness of our ages is what has really hit me.
I first came across Chadwick Boseman in the movie “42”, where he played the legendary Jackie Robinson. It’s actually a pretty good movie. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. I think I read they were re-releasing it or showing it on one of the major networks soon.This would be the start of Boseman’s career portraying African-American legends, as he would go on and portray James Brown, Thurgood Marshall, and Floyd Little, as well as the Egyptian god of knowledge, Thoth, in Gods of Egypt (the less said about that film, the better). However, for all the roles and acclaim Boseman achieved, he will perhaps be best known as the Marvel superhero T’Challa, the Black Panther
When Boseman took on the role of Black Panther, I’m sure he knew it was going to mean alot to people, but to become the cultural phenomenon that it became no one could have seen. He embraced all the characteristics of a kind, grace, poise, nobility, etc. As it turns out, he was doing this while fighting colon cancer.
It has been reported that Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer back in 2016. Only a select few knew about his diagnosis. He never wanted to make it about him. There was a video that went around about the time Black Panther was released where he is talking to or about cancer patients and he suddenly breaks down. At the time, people thought he was just wearing his heart on his sleeve but, in retrospect, we know that he was going through the same thing as those kids. Earlier this week, it was revealed that up until a couple of weeks ago, he thought he had the disease beat and could start bulking back up for Black Panther 2, which was/is set to start filming sometime between October and March (COVID-19 delay). Head of Marvel studios, Kevin Feige and director Ryan Coogler weren’t aware of his condition until Feige received an urgent e-mail a few hours before Boseman’s passing.
Yes, Boseman portrayed heroes and a superhero on the big screen, but to some he was one in real life. For those in the African-American community, he was groundbreaking in leading a major franchise (no offense to Blade). Little black boys could see themselves up on the big screen. Not to mention Boseman was a role model in real life, as well.
For me, there are 2 men that are superheroes on and off the big screen Boseman and Chris Evans. I say this because of the way they give and give of themselves, speaking up against injustice, giving back to the community, and not fitting into the typical Hollywood….bubble, I guess? I’m sure there is another word that fits what I am trying to say better.
In conclusion, Boseman was a great talent who was taken too soon. Aside from his continued participation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there were surely tons of other stories left for this man to tell. The outpouring of emotions and support for Chadwick show how much of an impact he made in a short amount of time. He will be sorely missed.
“In my culture, death is not the end. it’s more of a stepping off point. You reach out with both hands and Bast and Sekhmet, they lead you into a green veld where, you can run forever.” – Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War
Mystery Man's Musings 