The Sociopolitical Significance of Black Panther: HELP University

This essay delves into the sociopolitical significance of the film Black Panther, arguing that the movie is a powerful representation of resistance, black power, and the beauty of black culture. It explores how Black Panther emerged in a climate of racial tension and political upheaval, drawing parallels between the film and real-world events like the rise of Donald Trump and the activism of Colin Kaepernick. The essay examines how the film provides a platform for black narratives, challenges stereotypes, and celebrates African culture. It discusses the film's impact on the black community and its broader implications for representation in media and society, touching upon themes of identity, equality, and the importance of cultural pride. The essay concludes by emphasizing the film's role in promoting understanding and breaking down stereotypes, advocating for equality and respect for all cultures.

Running head: THE POLITICS OF BLACK PANTHER 1
The Politics of Black Panther
Aibakht Bissenova (B1700795)
Chan Wing Wai (B1702360)
Nur Izzati Binti Rozaiman (B1800129)
Sanjukta Perumal Samy (B1702358)
HELP University

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Outline
I. Introduction
A. Opener:
B. Thesis statement: Black Panther is significant because it is viewed as a resistance,
black power and the beauty of their black culture
II. View black panther as resistance
A. Donald Trump ( white- nativist movement)
III. Black Power
A. Colin Kaepernick ( protest in United States )
IV. The beauty of their black culture
a. Tribes and culture
b. Joys to black people around the world
i. Successful film
V. Conclusion:

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The Politics of Black Panther
Black Panther is the 18th movie inside the surprise Cinematic Universe that was released
on the 16th of February 2018 which comes because the entertainment enterprise is struggling
with its poisonous remedy of ladies and folks of shade. This unexpectedly increasing reckoning
on which reflects the importance of illustration in our subculture is long past due. Black Panther
is poised to prove to Hollywood that African-American narratives have the power to generate
income from all audiences and more crucial, that making films about black lives is a part of
displaying that they depend. (Smith, n.d.). Black Panther fuses the imaginary realm of marvel
characters with world records, present day politics, and in particular the revel in of black people
in the United States of America. Many marvel releases replicate American political disturbance
of the instant, however this film’s confrontations with the agonies of the day are unusually
complex and resonant. (Brody, 2018). Therefore, Black Panther is significant for black people in
both Africa and America because Black Panther is viewed as resistance, black power and the
beauty of black culture.
The first reason why Black Panther is significant for black people is because Black
Panther is viewed as resistance. It has helped to rouse an identification shift in the black
community. For example, none of the people knew that it would be launched into the fraught
weather of President Trump’s the United State of America. Moreover, three years in the past the
#OscarsSoWhite focused the racial representation hassle within the leisure industry especially in
film. This movement became soon exceeded through the offensive of Donald Trump and his
white nationalist movement that motivated him to the presidency. (Peterson, 2018). So, to sum
up Black Panther actually gives black people that they are also the same as others and represent
themselves who they are.

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Black power is a political slogan and a term for different associated ideologies aimed to
achieve self-determination for people in Africa. Black power is used by African Americans in the
United States. Colin Kaepernick, an American football quarterback who is now a free agent,
attracted heated criticism for kneeling during the US national anthem to protest police shootings
of unarmed African Americans. He felt that black people need to be respected too. Some people
objected to what they saw, but some of them applauded, and follow his protest. This caused Nike
to stand by him when it first partnered with him. Nike used Kaepernick in the 30th anniversary
celebrations of its ‘Just Do It’ campaign and this has had a same divisive effect on Americans.
Nike chose Kaepernick to help in advertising was because of the willingness of Nike to take risk
to support an athlete who was making a statement he believed in (Vanguard, 2018). Nike wanted
to ensure that Kaepernick had a chance to voice that opinion. Nike and NFL were castigated by
the US President, Donald Trump after Colin Kaepernick’s advertisement (Muñoz, 2018).
Chadwick Boseman Talks Similarities between Black Panther and Colin Kaepernick Essence.
(n.d.) states that Chadwick Boseman’s lead character in the Black Panther movie is quite similar
with a real life superhero, Colin Kaepernick. Both of them have the same characteristic which is
to demand respect for the black people. According to functionalism, society is a system of
interconnected parts that work together in harmony to maintain a state of balance and social
equilibrium for the whole. The action of Colin Kaepernick is consistent with the functionalist
perspective. He thinks that white people should respect the black people in order to achieve a
better harmony in the society.

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Besides that, Black Panther is significant because it shows the world the beauty of black
culture. It portraits different tribe and their culture to the world that most people don’t know
about. For example, their queen is wearing the Zulu Headdress and the ritual to be the leader in a
tribe. (Africa.com, 2018). It also brings a great joy to majority of black people around the world
as it has proved to the world that black film is able to success like other film which show that
black people can be successful. (South China Morning Post, 2018) Their country could be a great
country if they are not being enslaved in the past. After the release of the movie, black people are
having changes in their lives as the movie has broken the stereotypes of black people. Therefore,
Black Panther cause black people to receive the acknowledgements from people around the
world. (ELLE, 2018).
In conclusion, from what have been discussed above we may conclude that Black Panther
has shown significance in the politics which represent resistance, Black power and beauty of
their black culture. All this has sociological perspectives. Black Panther has helped to increase
people’s information about black culture. Black culture is advanced African civilization, thriving
in isolation, untouched by war or colonialism. Black Panther is important for black individuals as
Black Panther is viewed as resistance. Black Panther gives to black people that they are the same
as others and shows themselves who they are. Taking everything into account, Black Panther
teaches people that everyone in the world has equality and same rights regardless of their culture,
religion and race. We should try to break the stereotype that we have, so we can be peaceful and
wellbeing life.

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References
Africa.com. (2018). The African Influences In The Black Panther - Africa.com. Retrieve from:
https://www.africa.com/the-african-influences-in-the-black-panther/
Brody.R. (2018). The passionate politics of “Black Panther”. Retrieved from
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/the-passionate-politics-of-black-
panther
Chadwick Boseman Talks Similarities Between Black Panther And Colin Kaepernick Essence.
(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.essence.com/entertainment/chadwick-boseman-colin-
kaepernick-black-panther/
ELLE. (2018). "I'm Rooting for Everybody Black": Black People on Black Panther. Retrieved
from: https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a18242052/black-panther-audience-
reactions/
Muñoz, G. (2018, September 05). Trump castigates Nike and NFL after Colin Kaepernick ad.
Retrieved from https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/sep/5/donald-trump-
castigates-nike-and-nfl-after-colin-k/

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Peterson, J. B. (2018). Commentary: Black Panther wants to save us from Donald Trump.
Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2018/02/13/black-panther-movie-release-history-
month-donald-trump/
Smith.J. (n.d.). The revolutionary power of Black Panther. Retrieved from http://time.com/black-
panther/
South China Morning Post. (2018). Black Panther opens as most successful film with primarily
black cast. Retrieved from: https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2134113/black-
panther-opens-most-successful-film-primarily-non-white-cast
Vanguard. (2018, September 13). Nike took ‘risk’ with Kaepernick campaign, says Jordan Brand
chief. Retrieved from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/nike-took-risk-with-
kaepernick-campaign-says-jordan-brand-chief/

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