BLACK PANTHER – An African Christian’s Review

Through the ‘hype’ and constant cheering; I actually had no intentions of watching ‘The Black Panther’… I’m not kidding you but I happened to watch it by chance tonight after being invited spontaneously! The 7 of us girls went to watch it after Church. I was absolutely astonished at the amount of goers and sold out movie theatres! I mean… at this point I can conclude that this is not just a movie but a movement. As an African Zimbabwean who is also a Christian I wanted to share my perspective from a cultural sense and also a Christian point of view; as a guide to those unsure of what to expect or are probably looking for an honest Christian review.

My cultural perspective of this movie:
I was born in Zimbabwe and spent most of my childhood there before moving to the UK. I have traveled to some parts of Southern Africa from a very young age and am well acquainted with most of the Southern Africa’s different cultures, general lifestyle and way of living. This movie certainly put many things into perspective for me and brought back memories (good and bad).
Now, Black Panther certainly emblems the essence of our African cultural roots from an intriguing point of view. It highlights the hidden resources, the beauty of unity,  intelligence, wealth, spiritual history and prosperity of Africa. The movie speaks intentionally of the past, present and future of African heritage, indicating the glorious possibilities of an advanced black race with powerful resources due to a result of being untouched and untainted;  a part of Africa that escaped colonisation and slavery. Indeed, it reflects the power of an untouched and unexplored Africa and the future possibilities of these resources being used for the betterment of black communities and people. Which then poses the million dollar question – what if there was no slavery and colonisation in Africa?
The movie reveals a unique picture of the African black race and culture in a positive light that is rarely seen in other popular and successful movies which have focused on narratives based on slavery, drug crimes, segregation or meticulous forms of bondage. If you are African, the movie will definately inspire and bring empowerment through a reminder of the God given resources in Africa, the resilience of the black race through years of sabotage and more over, the uniqueness and beauty of its people. I say this because there are black people today who are ashamed to be black and may lie about being mixed with other races. There are also some Africans who are ashamed to be African and may lie that they come from a non-African country etc. Black Panther has managed, in a few days, to tackle those deeply rooted insecurities, if any, and shift such perspectives to an attitude of empowerment. The movie is unapologetically empowering to the black race as a whole through its reflective approach of Africa and its black people, making it visibly possible through the movie characters that black people have greatness inside, that they are beautiful irregardless of beauty standards, that they are strong physically & mentally! Moreover, bringing insight and moments of reflection pertaining to how God provided their continent (Africa) with such great wealth and resources that supersede any other continents in the world.

My Christian perspective of this movie:
Through-out this movie there are scenes of idolatry and ancestral worship. This movie is very very spiritual from the get-go but not in a godly way nor standard. As a Christian when you watch this, you must do so being able to sieve through symbols, realms of demonic activity, the talking with the dead, astral projection and blood rituals. Being an African myself, I know that this was the way of living from my ancestors and so, none of this was new to me. Those who are not acquainted with African spiritual history, may not fully understand these things even from a godly spiritual point of view. One thing to note is that the movie is not trying to deceive the watcher into such things but is simply depicting the history of divinity and worship in the African kingdoms, especially those of Southern, Eastern and Western Africa. If you are a born again Christian you ought to know that God is the highest power and He is Sovereign. Watch it from this perspective in Ephesians 2:6 (NKJV) which says, “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”
Furthermore, a thing to be cautious about when you watch this movie is to not begin to operate under the ‘spirit of revenge’. What I mean is, if you’re not alert, you may end up getting excited about the movie villain being killed; this shows that you desire revenge (even though it’s just for a movie character). Hence, watch it with a clear conscience as these subtle thoughts or desires can sway the heart and possibly overflow into your own personal life.
Moreover, since this movie has a strong message of “black empowerment”, it’s very important to not begin to think that because you are black or African, that you are better than everybody else as that is a form of pride. Do you know that you can be empowered and have confidence without being lofty about it?
It’s also crucial to not begin to have a dislike and hatred towards other races after watching this movie, it is very wise to continue in love both in your way of thinking, words and actions.
Another thing I will note and which I was discussing with a pastor friend of mine is that the movie is also spiritually highlighting a shift that we will see in the black communities and the black race, overall. There will be a rising and shining from the places of limitation and subjection through out different parts of the world. This may take 20+ years to be fully noticeable but people are already noticing this now. For example, this movie has a 90+% black cast but has stolen headlines and outsold other great movies. Who would have thought this would be happening today? Perhaps one may argue and say, it hasn’t happened quick enough? Maybe…never the less, there are many things like this that will take place widely and internationally; not only in Hollywood but different industries and high places of honour/popularity. We will begin to see more black people in places that were impossible to enter 30 years ago. As it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV), “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” This is not to say that black people are better than other races but it’s to highlight that there is a rising and shining that is taking place before our very eyes in different areas and walks of life like never before for black people.

I hope this review helps and if you do decide to watch it, I hope you sincerely enjoy it!

In His Service

Dephne

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Get Dephne’s Latest Book

The Art of Being Private (building in silence)  Download ebook £7.99 Buy Paperback £9.99 Buy on iBooks £7.99 Buy on Kindle £4.99