Tubman Talks
Thursday, January 17, 2019
14:30-16:00
Harriet Tubman Institute
321 York Lanes
“Wakanda Forever”? Reflections on a film and movement
A year ago, Black Panther, a movie from Marvel Comics was released to much critical and popular acclaim. In the film, Wakanda’s heir, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), ascends to the throne, inherits the superhero mantle of the Black Panther from his father and reigns over his protectionist nation that has hidden its technological advancement from the outside world. But the sins of the father haunt the son when T’Challa’s cousin, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), who had been abandoned in America as a child by the old king, comes to Wakanda to challenge T’Challa’s claim to the throne.
The film not only validated Afrofuturistic work and imaginations, it immediately became a catalyst for celebrating black excellence. Conflict between T’Challa and Killmonger exemplify tensions between continental and Diasporan Africans. As we mark the first anniversary of what some have called a moment of reckoning in Hollywood’s cinematic portrayals of Africa, this week’s Tubman Talk will be a general discussion/conversation about the significance of the film to the African and Black Diasporas. Thematic areas of focus will include: identity and representation, Afrofuturism, religion and spirituality, and relationships among various diasporic communities of African descent.
This conversation will be moderated by Dr. Sylvia Bawa (Tubman Talks Coordinator).
Contact tubman@yorku.ca