After a great deal of anticipation, Black Panther came out this week. This Marvel film that tells the story of the superhero, Black Panther, with a predominantly black cast has broken records as the highest grossing film with an African American director. I had the pleasure of seeing this movie recently, and I have a few suggestions for fellow white people.
1. Do not be outraged if black friends and neighbors celebrate this movie. Try to imagine how you would feel if it was hard for you to find a movie that represents your culture, features actors and actresses who share your ethnic heritage in important and heroic and genius roles as valued people, and does not portray people who look like you in a negative light. That's probably hard for you to imagine, considering that approximately 73% of characters with speaking roles in movies made from 2007 to 2015 are white according to a study done by the University of Southern California.
We see our own lives and identities and beliefs and cultures and realities reflected on the big screen all the time. But that is not true for our African American neighbors and friends and colleagues. Black lives and black identities are not reflected on the big screen with dignity nearly as often as white lives are. So, don't get upset that this movie is being celebrated. Don't complain that people are dressing up. Don't accuse the movie - or the people celebrating it - of being racist.
But Hannah, I don't dress up for movies just because they have a majority white cast. I don't attend movies just because the actors and actresses look like me. I don't celebrate movies just because I am represented in them.
I know. Because if you did, you would have to go to the movies every single day, dressed up and celebrating your representation.
But it would be different if there were very very few movies that represent you and give your sons and daughters heroes that look like what they see in the mirror. When a movie does come out that represents an under-represented group of people, that movie should be celebrated.
2. Go see the movie. Really really, go see it. You will not find people who look like you saving the day in this movie.
Why should we go to to this movie then? If it doesn't represent us, shouldn't we avoid it?
No.
Not at all.
We are not suffering from a lack of representation. In the same way that black people should see this movie because it represents them, white people should see it because it does not. The difference here is that white people have long been represented in Hollywood while black representation has been minimal.
What happens to us when we see movie after movie of white heroes and white people in the spotlight? How does this subconsciously effect the way we see ourselves and people of color around us? Is it possible that after seeing hundreds of movies featuring people who look like us, we have assumed that the real life everyday heroes and geniuses must also look like us? Does the constant stream of white-washed movies that we consume negatively, and often subconsciously, affect our ability to see people of color as image bearers of God? Could it be that when we get used to seeing black actors and actresses play minor roles or dangerous or weak characters, we automatically assign those negative characteristics to our African American neighbors? Would seeing black actors and actresses saving lives and being heroes on the big screen help us to see our African American neighbors as the valuable and beautiful people that they are? Is there any chance that putting the spotlight on more people who do not look like us would eventually help us to have a more healthy and realistic view of ourselves instead of seeing ourselves as the pinnacle of mankind? If our children grow up seeing black actors and actresses on the big screen portraying dignified roles as leaders of a beautiful, powerful, and uncolonized nation, is it possible that they will be able to see more clearly through the lies of white supremacy (lies that we have held so tightly to in order to preserve our control) and work harder to dismantle it?
But Hannah, this seems a little bit unfair. I feel like you are blaming me for something that is not my fault. I mean, I have no control over Hollywood. I did not choose to have all of these movies feature white people. I cannot be held responsible for the decisions of Hollywood. None of this has anything to do with me.
1. Do not be outraged if black friends and neighbors celebrate this movie. Try to imagine how you would feel if it was hard for you to find a movie that represents your culture, features actors and actresses who share your ethnic heritage in important and heroic and genius roles as valued people, and does not portray people who look like you in a negative light. That's probably hard for you to imagine, considering that approximately 73% of characters with speaking roles in movies made from 2007 to 2015 are white according to a study done by the University of Southern California.
We see our own lives and identities and beliefs and cultures and realities reflected on the big screen all the time. But that is not true for our African American neighbors and friends and colleagues. Black lives and black identities are not reflected on the big screen with dignity nearly as often as white lives are. So, don't get upset that this movie is being celebrated. Don't complain that people are dressing up. Don't accuse the movie - or the people celebrating it - of being racist.
But Hannah, I don't dress up for movies just because they have a majority white cast. I don't attend movies just because the actors and actresses look like me. I don't celebrate movies just because I am represented in them.
I know. Because if you did, you would have to go to the movies every single day, dressed up and celebrating your representation.
But it would be different if there were very very few movies that represent you and give your sons and daughters heroes that look like what they see in the mirror. When a movie does come out that represents an under-represented group of people, that movie should be celebrated.
2. Go see the movie. Really really, go see it. You will not find people who look like you saving the day in this movie.
Why should we go to to this movie then? If it doesn't represent us, shouldn't we avoid it?
No.
Not at all.
We are not suffering from a lack of representation. In the same way that black people should see this movie because it represents them, white people should see it because it does not. The difference here is that white people have long been represented in Hollywood while black representation has been minimal.
What happens to us when we see movie after movie of white heroes and white people in the spotlight? How does this subconsciously effect the way we see ourselves and people of color around us? Is it possible that after seeing hundreds of movies featuring people who look like us, we have assumed that the real life everyday heroes and geniuses must also look like us? Does the constant stream of white-washed movies that we consume negatively, and often subconsciously, affect our ability to see people of color as image bearers of God? Could it be that when we get used to seeing black actors and actresses play minor roles or dangerous or weak characters, we automatically assign those negative characteristics to our African American neighbors? Would seeing black actors and actresses saving lives and being heroes on the big screen help us to see our African American neighbors as the valuable and beautiful people that they are? Is there any chance that putting the spotlight on more people who do not look like us would eventually help us to have a more healthy and realistic view of ourselves instead of seeing ourselves as the pinnacle of mankind? If our children grow up seeing black actors and actresses on the big screen portraying dignified roles as leaders of a beautiful, powerful, and uncolonized nation, is it possible that they will be able to see more clearly through the lies of white supremacy (lies that we have held so tightly to in order to preserve our control) and work harder to dismantle it?
But Hannah, this seems a little bit unfair. I feel like you are blaming me for something that is not my fault. I mean, I have no control over Hollywood. I did not choose to have all of these movies feature white people. I cannot be held responsible for the decisions of Hollywood. None of this has anything to do with me.
I know. You did not ask for this. But you have it anyway. Being able to make an arbitrary choice on Netflix and be pretty well certain that your race will be fairly represented in the movie is a freedom reserved only for white people and therefore part of white privilege. Maybe you never asked for this, but cannot get rid of it. And you can recognize white privilege for what it is and make a conscious decision to seek out opportunities to watch films that put the spotlight on people who do not look like you. This is one of those opportunities.
There are no white heroes in Black Panther (but there is a white man who learns a lot from black women). And that's why we need to see it.
3. Don't forget that the God-Man from Nazareth did not have blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Christ is preeminent, and He is not white. This does not demonize whiteness, but it should adjust our perspective and cause us to question anything that suggests to us that whiteness is superior.
Do we believe that we are all one in Christ? (Galatians 3:28) Do we believe that Christ's sacrifice on the cross has not only broken the dividing wall of hostility between us and God, but also the dividing wall of hostility between every nation and tribe and people and tongue, all of whom will be represented for eternity in heaven as the bride of Christ, worshiping at the throne forever? (Ephesians 2:14, Revelation 7:9)
Is not our Jesus the one who saw and respected and listened to and valued and loved a disreputable Samaritan woman? (John 4) When we recall this, two things should happen in our hearts. First, we should be prompted to see the people around us who might be different from us, our Samaritans, with the same value that Christ saw in the Samaritan woman. And after we grasp that, we need to take one giant step back and stop relating to this story as if we are Jesus and the Samaritan woman is our neighbor, colleague, or friend from another culture. Jesus is Jesus and we are the Samaritan woman. We are the outsiders that were granted grace. We are the disreputable that were headed to eternal destruction. We are the totally depraved who have been adopted as sons and daughters. When we see ourselves in the Samaritan woman, we can no longer justify our supremacy.
In recognizing our position as recipients of grace unmeasured, let us assume a posture of humility as we look to those around us. Instead of allowing a white-washed Hollywood to inform our theories about our neighbors, may we look to Christ. When encountered with lies about our neighbors, may we respond with gospel truth that confirms and celebrate the image of God in our neighbors.
4. Use the momentum from this movie to ask hard questions, give honest answers, and push forward. Eventually, another movie is going to come out that captures the attention of the media and Black Panther will fade from the headlines. But as this movie becomes a historical moment rooted in February of 2018, continue to forge ahead and question your privilege.
In what other parts of your life does your whiteness give you an advantage, an excuse, a safety net? What other pieces of privilege can you recognize? How has the systemic racism in our society benefited you?
But I'm not racist, Hannah. I'm not racist. You're mistaking me for someone else; I am not racist.
I know. I'm not accusing you of being racist. I'm accusing us of living in a system that is inherently racist, benefiting from this system, and not doing anything about it. (And, actually... that might make us racist.)
3. Don't forget that the God-Man from Nazareth did not have blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Christ is preeminent, and He is not white. This does not demonize whiteness, but it should adjust our perspective and cause us to question anything that suggests to us that whiteness is superior.
Do we believe that we are all one in Christ? (Galatians 3:28) Do we believe that Christ's sacrifice on the cross has not only broken the dividing wall of hostility between us and God, but also the dividing wall of hostility between every nation and tribe and people and tongue, all of whom will be represented for eternity in heaven as the bride of Christ, worshiping at the throne forever? (Ephesians 2:14, Revelation 7:9)
Is not our Jesus the one who saw and respected and listened to and valued and loved a disreputable Samaritan woman? (John 4) When we recall this, two things should happen in our hearts. First, we should be prompted to see the people around us who might be different from us, our Samaritans, with the same value that Christ saw in the Samaritan woman. And after we grasp that, we need to take one giant step back and stop relating to this story as if we are Jesus and the Samaritan woman is our neighbor, colleague, or friend from another culture. Jesus is Jesus and we are the Samaritan woman. We are the outsiders that were granted grace. We are the disreputable that were headed to eternal destruction. We are the totally depraved who have been adopted as sons and daughters. When we see ourselves in the Samaritan woman, we can no longer justify our supremacy.
In recognizing our position as recipients of grace unmeasured, let us assume a posture of humility as we look to those around us. Instead of allowing a white-washed Hollywood to inform our theories about our neighbors, may we look to Christ. When encountered with lies about our neighbors, may we respond with gospel truth that confirms and celebrate the image of God in our neighbors.
4. Use the momentum from this movie to ask hard questions, give honest answers, and push forward. Eventually, another movie is going to come out that captures the attention of the media and Black Panther will fade from the headlines. But as this movie becomes a historical moment rooted in February of 2018, continue to forge ahead and question your privilege.
In what other parts of your life does your whiteness give you an advantage, an excuse, a safety net? What other pieces of privilege can you recognize? How has the systemic racism in our society benefited you?
But I'm not racist, Hannah. I'm not racist. You're mistaking me for someone else; I am not racist.
I know. I'm not accusing you of being racist. I'm accusing us of living in a system that is inherently racist, benefiting from this system, and not doing anything about it. (And, actually... that might make us racist.)
I am not naive enough to believe that Black Panther can single handedly dismantle white supremacy and strip white privilege in America. The damage is to great for a box office hit to repair, but let's not miss this opportunity take a swing at these oppressive structures and continue to disable them, piece by piece.
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