Chadwick Boseman, Star of Black Panther dies at 43

Chadwick Boseman. Image from Wallpapersun.com

 I don't know how to begin to write this without tearing up, but I will try. 

On August 28, 2020, Chadwick Boseman passed away at the age of 43 due to stage 4 colon cancer. On his Instagram account, it stated that Chadwick passed away surrounded by his wife and family. Once the message had sent, no one knew that he had been sick. From 2016 until his death he had been battling cancer from stage 3 and it progressed. His death came as a shock to castmates and fans around the world that his man who brought life to some of the most prolific characters in the world, from playing Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, to comic book hero, T'Challa, the king of Wakanda in Marvel Cinematic Universe's Black Panther suddenly passed away was a huge loss.

Chadwick had brought life to the characters that he portrayed and he brought T'Challa to life with his strength and class. Black Panther which came out in 2018, became one of the highest-grossing films in the cinematic universe. With mostly a black cast, Black Panther is regarded as one of the best and influential movies to portray people of color in a positive light. For many years, blacks in films were seen as unsavory characters. This is no way disrespectful to the black actors that portrayed them, but for people who are comic book fans and not, we as people needed to see us on the big screen as kings and queens. It gave us a sense of pride and made us feel like we are just that, kings and queens. The film made a lot of people, including myself proud to be black because it delivered a proper representation of people of color. 

Black Panther was more than just a superhero movie, it embodied everything that for years, people of color always wanted and needed. That's why it meant so much to so many people and still does two years later after it's release. The Wakandan salute became universally practiced around the world. People of various ethnic backgrounds would salute others. It was a testament that this movie, these characters meant something. They were important. They felt real. It wasn't just a performance.

Chadwick Boseman as King T'Challa, Black Panther. Image from Cnet.

Chadwick made us believe in his performance. He gave us all hope. He gave us T'Challa, a strong man who was dedicated to his people, his country of Wakanda. He was T'Challa. Chadwick left behind a body of work that aspiring actors can use as a blueprint.  Although he loved acting, he was a compassionate person on and off movie sets. Chadwick cared about his fellow actors and his community. Taking his time to visit sick children while he too, was sick. That is a hero! He was braver than I ever could be. 

Chadwick's last project with Viola Davis Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is to be released on Netflix. Da 5 Bloods and Message from the King are featured on Netflix now. 

He will truly be missed by so many, his family, friends, and the millions of fans that he has touched throughout these years. He will never be forgotten. He is amongst the stars now. 

He is a true testament of black excellence and he is truly a king. 

Rest in power, king.