31/08/2020
Representation matters. And while it is not the end all be all; at a time like this where black existence often feels threatened, fragile and fleeting, representation is everything. Chadwick Boseman was a hero on and off camera. While portraying the iconic figures of our past and and a relatable afro-futuristic superhero that looks like us Boseman’s legacy will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all of all children, but in particular, the black and brown children who finally saw a superhero that looked like them. A hero they can identify with. King T’Challa taught our children that they are beautiful, powerful, multifaceted, intelligent, worthy and important. Chadwick Boseman taught us that you do not need to have super powers to be a superhero. What strength to live such a public life while maintaining privacy around the fact that he was in the fight of his life. Rest in Power Chadwick Boseman thank you for living your life on purpose.
When I told my son that Boseman had died he said “oh no T’challa died, how did he die?” So after we had a conversation about cancer and how Chadwick Boseman the actor who portrayed T’challa died. He put his black panther pajamas on and said it was his tribute to T’Challa. At 10 and on the Autism Spectrum I must admit I’m not entirely sure if he really still believes in superheroes or that his stuffed animals ( his stuffties) are real. What I do know is that 2020 has pushed us to have to have many conversations I wish I didn’t have to. In the past year we have talked a lot about what’s expected and unexpected, being seen as a threat. about death, inequity unfairness, and inequality. We have had to talk about racism and rights. And like many of us his sense of fairness and justice is constantly challenged by the current reality of the world we live in. If he does still believe in superheroes I’m grateful he’s still able to hold on to a sliver of childhood and innocence. This weekend convinced him to let me photograph him. And created these images.
’challa @ Wakanda
