Like millions of other people across the globe, I saw Black Panther this weekend. I tagged along with the Deltas since they invited other non-sorority members and their family. It was hard to feel like a part of that tribe since I didn’t have shared experiences. Nonetheless, I was surrounded by family.
I’ve seen many discussions on relationships amongst African Americans and Africans, feminine leadership, and colonization concerning this film. In a comment section on Facebook, I saw a non-black woman discuss her favorite scene. It was the scene with the Wakandan general. The character Okoye throws her wig at a white man as a weapon of opportunity. If you listen closely while the wig flies, you hear “Screw your Eurocentric standards of beauty. “Ok, I made that part up. However, the wig toss normalizes natural hair for black women.
In a society, where natural hair has been expanding for nearly a decade but yet is still stigmatized added another star to my 5-star review of The Black Panther. I recalled feeling mesmerized when Angela Bassett revealed her beautiful locs. I actually wowed aloud when I saw it. I thought “Oh yeah, she has to have vibranium in those locs because they are too radiant.” The tattoos and bald heads on the Wakandan female warriors fit them perfectly. Doesn’t it make sense that the warriors had bald heads? Aint no time for sew-ins, 27 pieces, and two hours under a hair dryer when you’re responsible for protecting the king and the richest land on earth. Wakandan Warriors
I’m not a Wakandan warrior, but I am proud to be a part of the #TeamNatural tribe. I have connected with women through Fayetteville Natural Divas over the last few years but also in everyday life. I have had many women compliment my hair and I have done the same for them. I have discussed everything from products to techniques and experiences of having natural hair with complete strangers. This movie really drove the bond of natural hair amongst black women home for me. Women who dare to be different. Women who refuse to conform. Women who freely give compliments on the beauty of another woman’s crown.
To all the black women with natural hair: rather you rock afros, locs, dyed colors, bald, twas, twist-outs, braid outs, turbans, scarves, or you’re a secret natural ( have natural hair but wear wigs and weaves), I salute us.
( Lifts Spear in the air and Screams) Wakanda Forever
Phyllis G. Williams, Progress Promoter
Author |Speaker| Blogger
www.progresspromoter.com
I thoroughly enjoyed your blog. I too was wowed by my Delta Sister/Soror and her locks. The fact that there were so many hues of chocolate in the film and the hairstyles ranged in a variety of styles for us was simply amazing. Keep doing what your doing. The positivity is showing up and out.
Yes! Those pics were amazing. I have never felt more “at home” in a movie theater. It was like going to the perfect family reunion. No strife. No stress. No ugly images depicting inaccurate stereotypes. No images with the all too familiar subliminal messages that we are not the standard. Or that somehow we are inferior as we are. I felt proud and joyful. Ultra comfortable in my own skin and hair. I love makeup but had been feeling like it was only meant for me to enhance what’s there. This moving drove that home for me. While colors are beautiful… for me, I don’t need all of the cover up. Just the small touches to bring out what God created. #WakandaForever!
Beautifully spoken!!!! Going natural saved my hair! I have locs now and wouldn’t trade them for anything!