SPOILER ALERT – You have been warned! If I’m writing about Black Panther that means I am going to totally spoil it for you if you haven’t seen it. And I mean spoil it way more than the spoilers (trailers) do. (#trailerssuck) Read this after watching Black Panther. 

I just got back from watching Black Panther! As you might or might not know, I am a sucker for fully engaging in the latest blockbuster. In standard fashion, I literally cried during this movie. I told you, I fully engage! Unfortunately, my tears were not just of engagement this time…they were tears of hopelessness.

By the way, Happy Black History Month! It is obviously no coincidence that Black Panther premiered during Black History Month here in the States. This was a key plot point through the entire show. The antagonist was an “angry black [American] man”–angry about an African state that has the power to right the wrongs of the world but refuses to use their power to do so. I have to say, I was totally torn during this movie. I always am pulling for the good guy (even when he is the “bad guy”). But this time, the bad guy, Killmonger (Michael B Jordan…whom I constantly mistake for Nick Cannon!) was almost too convincing to not root for. Well, at least his cause.

The systemic injustice of African Americans, not just in the US, but on the continents of North and South America, as you well know, is disgusting. My mother is an African-Belizean. Our ancestors were shipped across the ocean by the British. As a man who has experienced r-a-c-i-s-m–to lesser or greater degrees depending on my hairstyle–to my core, I FEEL Killmonger. In the end of the movie, when Black Panther buys all the buildings in Killmonger’s neighborhood and lays out his vision for a better tomorrow, I cried. I cried for the beautiful dream. I cried because the whole movie was a complete fairy tale! There is no Kingdom of Wakanda with superior weapons who will come to our rescue and halt the wheels of injustice and oppression! My heart was enlivened by the possibility but saddened by the reality.

My solace is Christ. Our true Savior. He is a Good God! To say so is redundant language, for God can only be Good. He WILL right the injustice. Fret not my brothers and sisters. God is Good. You do not need to take justice into your own hands. Our God is our vindicator (Romans 12:19). Find faith with which to fight. Faithfight! God will justify you. And to those who are called according to His purpose…what are you doing? What role are you playing in setting the captives free?