Black Panther Got Black America's Priorities All Wrong

Discussion in 'Movies and Shorts' started by Nigerian Prince, Feb 10, 2018.

  1. Nigerian Prince

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    "The movie "The Black Panther" is coming out next week and like most of you, I look forward to seeing it. But I had a thought: We're going to hand at least $200 million dollars over to Disney next week in order to see this film, but I can't think of a single initiative in the African American community where we've been equally determined to give even a fraction of that." - Dr. Boyce Watkins, Black American author, economist, political analyst, and social commentator

    I started to see more dialogue regarding how Black Panther may gross $200 million during the opening weekend and how over time it will gross $1 billion altogether. I also saw the other side where there are more African-Americans speaking up and bringing up the idea that it is sad that we will put $200 million to Black Panther but we cannot even put up $10 to $20 million for initiatives of our own as black people. Then consider when it is black AND gay, there are people out there who want to see more quality content from black LGBT content creators when it comes to film/TV, music, media and/or other ventures but those in the black LGBT community cannot give even $2000.

    What do you guys think? Tell me your thoughts and where you stand.

    @Nick Delmacy @OckyDub @SB3 @Sean P @DreG @acessential @takeyourmeds91 @NikR @Infinite_loop @ColumbusGuy @ControlledXaos @Michael @lyriq88 @Cyrus-Brooks @RolandG @Jai @Omega Level @Lean Lantern @Artistic Arsonist @Juan-Carlos @Ora Obi @Aejae @Sean
     
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  2. jusrawb

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    I get where the that logic is coming from but I don't agree with this premise. This isn't just some Disney movie, hence why everyone is so excited about it. I don't really feel the need to go in on what this movie means or represents for black people (especially to black people who should know what it means). My question to Dr. Boyce Watkins is name a initiative in the African American community that we ALL agree on AND ALL are included in (same with black lgbt community)? This is the same as the"shop black" argument, it sounds good but not everyone is down for the cause. We are a divided yet together people.

    By the way black people aren't the only ones excited for this movie. Its low key annoying involving politics into things such as the arts.
     
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  3. Dante

    Dante https://www.gofundme.com/qv7v5dw
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    As much as I get what he is saying, entertainment is a business. And like any type business, they are consumers, which we all are on a daily basis. And I'm pretty sure that when he goes to buy products, accessories and personal things, he might not be always thinking the same way. I can probably name at least one things in his home that he pursued that helped someone Non-Black, Black, or otherwise, make a lot of money.
     
  4. Sean

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    Black people can't do shit without someone--sometimes our own blood relatives, let alone black people--attempting to fuck it up, talk shit about it or otherwise, piss on it.

    Black people actually give quite significantly to church. Whether you call it an initiative or not, you can't say that black folks don't give to anything in abundance.
     
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  5. NikR

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    I wanna take Boyce Watkins seriously. I really do. But I can't. And the reason why I can't is because Michael B Jordan is too sexy for words. The way that the light gently caresses his body and exposes all of his contours, the way his pants grip his waist, the way he glowers at his opponents before and after providing a healthy beatdown...oh lawwwd!!!!

    Boyce Watkins needs to stop trying to kill my joy.
     
    #5 NikR, Feb 17, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2018
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  6. takeyourmeds91

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    I completely understand the hype behind the Black Panther movement and I'm completely for it BUT it does beg the question, why can't form a unified front when it's not concerning entertainment?

    This is an example of how much collective power we actually have; we did the same thing with Cardi B and got her a number one single on the billboards (a minor example sure, but nonetheless)

    I get it - let folks have their fun but also recognize that we could mobilize for so much more if we tried.

    To be honest, we do things when we want to do them - you're not going to get ALL of any one group on the exact same page, that's just not life but like I said before, we boosted tf out of ticket sales as a collective, we boosted tf out of Cardi B's fames, again, as a collective. We always seem to come together more when it involves entertainment. The only exception was the BLM movement but even that's very hot or cold depending on what's going on in the media.

    Last, we involve politics in arts/entertainment when actors and actresses make thought-provoking social commentary after winning an award, when athletes take knees during the national anthem, etc - because we're social beings it's all going to be intertwined.
     
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  7. SB3

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    Black ppl as a whole are just too damaged for such expectations. Generation after generation of ppl living in squalor doesn't encourage long term thought, let alone any kind of focus on collective achievement.

    Blk Americans hate Caribbeans, they hate Africans, and they hate Blk Americans, based on wtf their ancestors got dropped off! While it might be fukd up and simultaneously understandable, even the division of blks/mulattos/passers/massas mixed kids who end up w a lil land(money) when he dies, blks have been too divided and set against each other from the beginning of America to get us to find time for a bigger picture.

    This BP thing is nothing new. I'm all for supporting blk ppl on screen en masse, even if the person who creates the opportunity and reaps the biggest reward isn't. Compare this to the amounts of money blk ppl have given, and continue to willfully give Balenciaga, Hermes, Laboutain, Nike and any other label that is blatantly not priced for the average Joe.

    Unlike the labels, at least with BP, it shows that bp will support certain media projects that include us in some forms, en masse.
     
  8. BlackguyExecutive

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    I think after the weekend Black Panther just had it shattered all normal modes of thinking. It is quite beautiful to see so many black people and black families celebrating what is a pretty groundbreaking movie. I just wish all of the think pieces and social commentaries would just let black people enjoy this moment. Enjoy the couple of hours where we could turn our brains offs and travel to Wakanda and watch black people look beautiful, do spectacular shit, and save the world.

    I saw the movie this weekend and thought it did live up to its hype and was layered and complex but entertaining and funny and beautiful.
     
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  9. Jai

    Jai Being strong minded.
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    Hmmm.....well. I'm.going to be honest...I know I'll get some slack but oh well...I just want to get my hands on the Black Panther suit...I know nothing else about BP...but that outfit is sexy and I want it. If that makes me a Marvel thot...so be it. I will be a Marvelous Marvel thot in my BP suit. *Scratch*

    Idk...I mean it is a beautiful film but it's still just a fantasy movie at the end of the day. 1 billion over time? I wish I had some of dollar share.

    Everytime I say something about BP, I keep an eye out cuz I feel like jusrawb is gonna scratch me or something. I'm on the lookout for him...always...I see him up there in them posts...claws just ready.

    I'm pretty much neutral about everything. I've just been sitting back observing mostly except for telling everyone how nice that suit would fit me.

    Idk. Aside from him being the first black superhero...Idk what much else to say.

    Wasn't this created by a white man anyway..well the original character or something? Honestly, I understand the hype and then I don't. I like seeing all the black people on screen, well except for MBJ...for some reason, I cannot stand him...and it ain't got nothing to do with him having a white wife...I just don't like him period. Something about him that irks me.

    I'm not that big on comics so I'm sure one you cute comic goers can give me some insight on the hype. Y'all know I live like a monk and devote my energy to the Universe.
     
  10. alton

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    Yeah...his phone/ phone bill payments, internet service payments, and most likely 40% of the clothing/shoes he's purchased over the past year, just to name a few.
     
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  11. takeyourmeds91

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    Okay, so I finally saw it - last night. Amazing movie except the storyline but I had to keep reminding myself that it was primarily a hero-flick so the storyline is supposed to be fairly straight forward lol.

    The allusion, the imagery, the incorporation of pop-culture jokes, the acting, the accents, the visuals, the clothing, the culture - it was all fucking amazing. No lie, I teared up a few times; just to see so much melanin in one movie that wasn't about slavery or drug-slinging was overwhelming. The scenes they shot in Wakanda city center threw me over the edge - so many black folks looking opulent and amazing living in an advanced culture.

    I almost fell out when ol girl called the white dude a colonizer lmao - nobody else picked it up but me (was in a theater full of white folks and hispanics lol)

    Hopefully this movie set a very strong precedence and becomes the standard in diversifying works coming out of Hollywood.
     
  12. Juan-Carlos

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    Dr. Watkins' comment is like mixing oil and water. Black Panther is a film based on the 1st African superhero out of the Marvel Universe created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby at a time when diversity and equality was being introduced to society. I don't consider Black Panther being a black movie though the cast is predominately African-American and the director is African-American. I appreciate that there was some realization and sensitivity that an African-American director would provide the proper point of view culturally because of the setting of the story is in Africa. The excitement for me about this film is that it is the first full length feature from Marvel based on an superhero of color with a $200M budget (Blade's budget was $45M with a box office net of $131.2M in 1998), the stellar casting, and the story. The movie evoked cultural pride for it exposed a truth that Africa is the cradle of civilization and the people architects and creators of technology and innovation. Wakanda is "the world of tomorrow " compared to all of the other nations in modern civilization. With the film's release during Black History month, it was an event. It was great to see people come dressed in either all black a la 60s Black Panther Party revolutionary or in full African regalia showing cultural pride. Knowing that this film received so much support in record numbers is the receipt that other stories from varied diasporas can be told. The Dr.'s remark is misdirected and unsubstantiated for he's assuming every black person is going to see and support that film and with all the black dollars Disney/Marvel raked in on fodder why can't the black community gather the resources towards an outlet that can repair, uplift, or benefit the community ? I can understand the basis of his sociaI commentary though this film is entertainment while being pioneering as well. I've seen the film twice the first time in Dolby digital with the vibrating chairs and the second time in 3D. I've seen school buses and community center vans full of school children making going to see this film as an outing or field trip. There have been a few celebs that bought out a few screenings and opened it up for children in the neighborhood to watc it for free. I can respect the fact that some may be obstinate and will boycott seeing this film for whatever personal reason. The imagery and the story made well for a best representation of a blessed people and a place that reminds us that we are all connected. I am glad the movie is a success period and was well received.
     
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  13. machoBLKnerd

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    this person summarizes everything i want to say about this topic. blk ppl pathologize and shame other blk ppl so much and call it "being real".

    20180227_112817.png
     
    #13 machoBLKnerd, Feb 27, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2018
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