What Black Panther: Wakanda Forever taught us about representation in the media

It’s always important to have characters and stories that resonate with real people.

Ever since Black Panther was released by Marvel, it seems that this has been one of their missions.

To say that the release of the first ‘Black Panther’ movie in 2018 was a cultural reset is an understatement. Not only was Chadwick Boseman, who held the titular role, skyrocketed into a whole new level of fame, but the impact they had on the African, African-American, and even the POC community was on a totally different level.

Shuri’s ‘colonizer’ jokes were incredibly funny and witty, while “Wakanda Forever” was no longer just a line said in the movie but was an empowering anecdote for people and a culture that had newfound appreciation and highlight.

More importantly, black men and women regardless of age finally felt seen and represented. It means all the more that the children could finally look up to the Black Panther and say that a superhero, an avenger, looked like them.

Now, in the blockbuster’s second installment, ‘Wakanda Forever’, a new culture and color were given the spotlight. Through the character Namur, portrayed by Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta, the Mayan underwater tribe of Talokan was introduced and became Wakanda’s on-screen rival.

But off-screen, Huerta also had a powerful impact by representing Mexican culture and colorism.

Tenoch Huerta was open about how through the years it has been undeniable that bigger roles have been given to lighter-skinned Latin Americans during his interviews.

"I hope this movie..works..to create a conscience and to open the door for representation in all Latin America."

I asked @TenochHuerta about the catharsis he gained from playing Namor & the experience of WAKANDA FOREVER.

Love his passion. Incredible performance in the film. pic.twitter.com/2fJRdkuz8f

— Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) October 30, 2022

Huerta’s casting as the Kulkulkan, as a brown-skinned Latino that portrayed a powerful role in a major franchise, was a huge deal not just for him. It also showed darker-skinned Latinos that they too have space.

The Internet has not stopped talking about the movie since its release and the impact it has is only getting bigger.

If anything, among the things the Black Panther franchise taught us and continues to teach us, is that representation matters. The franchise continues with that legacy.

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Source: we the pvblic