Chadwick Boseman

There is nothing I can write that any news and media outlets haven‘t already published, or highlight bodies of work, or in-depth profiles that can’t already be seen of the late actor Chadwick Boseman.

In recognition of a month, that is used to educate and provide reflection of black history and culture, we are going recognize Mr. Boseman for being an ambassador of humanity.  On the global stage he will be remembered as King T’Challa the Black Panther.  The first king in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but his body of work in film, offers us an inspiring guide of man who was humbled, honorable, and filled with integrity; that the people he portrayed though flawed, all strived  to be better than what was expected of them.

Graduating from Brown University, he returned to his alma mater to give a commencement speech to the graduating class.  He spoke about his first real paying and respectable acting gig, working for a soap opera, and playing his role so well that the producers wanted to extend his role beyond the initial 2 or 3 episodes arc.  The role wasn’t based on character merit, but simply the color of one’s skin and stereotypical assumption.  He made a difficult decision of either continuing to being a struggling actor and finding a role that would challenge him by his performance, or accepting a role that gave him financial security and networking opportunities but deprived him of moral dividends.

It took ten years of guest spots on television, landing only one or two gigs a year, before transitioning and finding work in film. The Jackie Robinson story “42” was his overnight success story.  It was one of three high profile biographical roles he took on. James Brown and Supreme Justice Thurgood Marshall are roles he coveted and took on with integrity, raw honesty, and humility.  Roles amplified in his iconic depiction of King T’Challa, that the ideals of a man is neither bound nor dictated by the color of one’s skin. The reality is minorities and  those in lesser groups struggle with inequality; and black lives matter and the me too movement are reminders of the ongoing deep rooted issues that every nation faces.  Mr. Boseman's work offers a glimmer of hope that we have a power collectively in ourselves to see brighter and safer day tomorrow.

There is a group press interview, where Mr. Boseman spoke about a child whose dying wish was to see black panther, his response has now magnified in meaning, as he kept his personal life away from the spotlight, while becoming more self aware of the cultural impact that the role has taken on, and how he not only pivoted himself as an actor, but extended his association with the movie and his character, beyond the film’s publicity trail and into further daily fan interactions.

Barack Obama was the first black American president, a title referred to as the highest position of office; once a dream is now a tangible achievability by any man or woman.  Juxtapose, Wakanda could only be found in comic books, described as a highly advanced civilized Utopian society where its people live in balanced harmony and understanding.   Any and every culture or community can rise above its difficulties with understanding and harmony and strive to be better.  This sole belief is more commonly achievable than a single person running for office and was visually realized on the big screen with Black Panther. Mr. Boseman's portrayal and a realized culturally relevant world became questioned by millions of Americans, of why not, are we not like Wakanda?  in a country who chants we are the greatest country in the world.

Mr. Boseman’s final two movies were released in 2020, on the streaming service Netflix. Spike Lee’s Da Five Bloods, and August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Both are fictional characters and much less altruistic than any of the biographical roles he had previously assumed.    The character of Levee is the furthest away of all his previous film characters.  Levee is said to be subtle reflection of all of Boseman’s skill as an actor, challenging himself again by playing a tragic character, ambitious and strong willed, but lacking a business awareness of his own value.  Ma Rainey understands this balance, and tailors her survival on what gave her a position and market value, and protecting what makes her still viable.  On the film’s progression we learn about Levee's difficult childhood upbringing and his desire to succeed in music.  It is his ego, ambition and lack of business awareness, that contributes to an explosive and charismatic portrayal of reckless youth.  Levee as a character, works in opposite from all of Mr. Boseman's previous film roles.  Articulated in a refinement that playwright August Wilson had initially devised, the movie showcases the powerful action of the spoken word.  A contemporary example can be found in the writings of Aaron Sorkin’s Trial of the Chicago 7, which came out earlier in the same year.