From Oakland to Zamunda to Wakanda ….
I am here for it all!
…. yes im gonna move to Wakanda because ash doesn’t exist there
…. yes im gonna move to Wakanda because all the pillowcases are silk and your head scraf never falls off at night
…. yes im gonna move to Wakanda because you never have to ask who made the potato salad (and boy do i love potato salad)
…. yes im gonna move to Wakanda because no matter what time you get to the cookout there is still food left
….yes im gonna move to Wakanda because why not move to uncolonized Black Utopian ????
YO! these were not me … check out the #InWakanda tweets on twitter if you haven’t seen them already (https://blavity.com/19-of-the-best-tweets-that-imagine-what-life-would-be-like-as-an-uncolonized-black-utopia-inwakanda)
The world has embraced BLACK PANTHER and is so beautiful. Really beautiful. I could give a list of adjectives – but – welp- yall already know. Folks are showing up and showing out for the movie. I mean – I saw it in Bangkok, Thailand in a packed room – and I have friends from Shanghai who made it a point to see the movie while enjoying their CNY Vacation in neighboring countries. The move will not be showing in Shanghai until March 9, 2018 so we weren’t playing around. I was so happy to see the movie opening weekend- and because I am a MARVEL fan yes I knew to stay to the end…. The end … THE – VERY- END!
If you are not a MARVEL fan, if you have not been interested in seeing the movie, I encourage to see it. I appreciate this film because I do not know the last time a movie – a movie folks- has had such an impact on people or all ages, colors, backgrounds, from countries all over. Go!
BLACK PANTHER 2018
(Terri Davis-Merchant posted this and I am sharing it)
Sharing Terri Davis-Merchant’s post below:
Day 15 of 28 Days of Black History
Happy Wakanda Day!
I feel like this is the highpoint on Black History Month for 2018. If you haven’t noticed, there is this little movie called “Black Panther” coming out today. I have some thoughts about why this movie is culturally and socially important right now, and maybe I’ll share them. I’m not a comic book fan per se, but I do love a nice non-gratuitously violent action movie. The Marvel movies usually fit the bill, and this so far is one of the best reviewed yet.
I saw this little background run-down posted in a Facebook group I’m in, and I wanted to post it here with attribution to a Mr. Kamasi Hill. I’m not the first to post this, but for some, this might be educational.
1) The Black Panther character was introduced in The Arrival. in Fantastic Four (1961) #52. T’ Challa’s first appearance!
The Fantastic Four head to Wakanda, the African nation where Black Panther is king.
The Black Panther Party for Self Defense was founded in October 1966.
2) The title of #BlackPanther is a ceremonial one. It’s hereditary. All monarchs of Wakanda are known as the Black Panther. King T’Challa is the current Black Panther.
3) Black Panther is the first black super hero in “mainstream” comics.
4) T’Challa has a PhD in Physics from Oxford University. His nemesis in the film Erik Killmonger (M. B. Jordan) has his PhD in Engineering from MIT.
5) T’Challa was married to Storm (marriage was annulled after 6 years). In an alternate timeline they had a son named Azari.
6) Due to a meteorite crash in Wakanda, the country has a rare mineral resource called vibranium (Captain America’s shield is a mix of vibranium and steel).
7) Wakanda is the most technologically advanced country on earth and it has never been colonized by any European nation.
😎 The Dora Milaje are the elite warrior women who protect Black Panther. They are also known as the Adored Ones/Midnight Angels.
9) Black Panther is faster than Wolverine and Captain America, he can run up to 50 MPH.
10) Black Panther is immune from all diseases, he is the richest man in the Marvel universe, his suit is bulletproof, and his superpowers include hearing, sight, smell, and strength.
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There are so many more things we can say about this movie. I refuse to engage in the conversations that are negative, find fault, or put down this movie. It is amazingly refreshing to see African/Black individuals being portrayed this way. What the world is use to is – poverty, uneducated, slaves, ghetto, drug addicts, confrontational, violent, prisoners, or even extremely negative. It is rare – that a movie that shows something otherwise, is given the attention that this one is receiving.
Why is my heart smiling? Why does this movie mean so much to me (and so many others)? Why am I patiently waiting for the movie to come to Shanghai to see it again?
Because- Wakanda is Real. Because– Melanin Magic. Because– Representation Matters.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with imagining. It is what we teach students to do. Parents teach their kids to be creative and to think outside the box. We want people to think critically and beyond what they see. So, Black Panther did exactly that. How amazing to imagine what life in Africa would have been like it wasn’t overtaken by – well you know- colonizers and welp – slavery- and you know the Middle Passage- and – eh – yall know the history of it all. I love the story of what could have been.
Really – – What Should Have Been!
- This movie is important because people are telling Lebron James to “shut up and dribble” – when he speaking and giving his opinion on issues that matter.
- This movie is important because young black girls and boys deserve to have positive images of individuals who look like them to look up to.
- This movie is important because women are in positions of leadership and their voice matters and counts. #BlackGirlsRock #BlackGirlMagic #MelaninMagic #WakandaForever #WomenWarriors
- This movie is important because the community is rallying together and encouraging people to vote and to register vote #yourvotecounts #registertovote #everyelectionmatters
- This movie is important because even the costumes pay tribute to Africa – everything was deliberate in this film
- This movie is important because representation matters!
- This movie is important because nothing like it exists. Yes, there have been movies with Black Superheroes – and yes, they were good – but nothing on this level. Nothing! Marvel does movies well – and this was AFROTASTICALLY FANTABULOUS!
- This movie is important because there are people who are upset that – well – issa movie. And I am okay with people being upset and feeling a bit uncomfortable. The story has been changed and the narrative has been changed. I actually read – “what if I made a movie with a white superhero” …. really??? really??? I couldn’t even finish it – it got bad yall. They Mad! It’s Okay.
- This movie is important because, for a moment, and hopefully the moment last and last and last, families were smiling, communities were buying out theater rooms, organizations were coming together, and support was going out for something positive about – you know- US! I love all the photos of people dressing up for the film. I will continue to like them all and share them all. It makes me think of how people dress up for STAR WARS, HARRY POTTER, and other DC/Marvel movies. When I went to see Wonder Woman – people dressed up. They took pictures. They smiled and they enjoyed themselves… ‘make it last forever and ever’. Let’s do this!
- This film is important because of the amazing and tremendous impact it is having on- the world! The world I tell you. Not just Black people, not just people of color, not just America, but the world.
- This movie matters because Dark Skinned Women are important in this film – Black women and girls can see themselves on the screen. The movie celebrates and elevates black women.
- This film is important because it speaks of BLACK BEAUTY (and you know I am here for that). From the first time there was a trailer people were amped about the films release. Do know that people refer to those close to them as ‘King’ and ‘Queen’ now and I love it. This Black Beauty says – curly, nappy, bantu knots, locs, braids, weave, straight, afro, wig – do you and rock it! I have been excited about this movie since Captain America: Civil War. One of the the first things Althea said to me when I decided to move to Shanghai was, “You’re gonna miss Black Panther” – Its serious yall!
- This movie is important because: LUPITA NYONG’O (NAKIA)
- This movie is important because: DANAI GURIRA (OKOYE)
- This movie is important because: LETITIA WRIGHT (SHURI)
I don’t know how to stop reading about the film. I just don’t. I don’t know how to stop making my wifi and blockers work so that I can catch interviews and snippets with the cast. Living as a foreigner in another country makes me love and bask in my Black Beauty even more. I have always loved my dark skin. ALWAYS! I have made it a point to encourage young girls, students, others I come in contact with to love their skin too. I remember one student I had who struggled with being DARK – and smiled when – Ms. Gurley was her teacher. So …. she called herself my twin! I fell in love with her. It’s kinda cool her initials are KG, right?!?!? I love that girl. My friend Christen says I have a shirt for everything. I do! I have a lot of cool t-shirts. I like to make a statement – and the statement will forever be – BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL- BLACK IS AMAZING- and our history is one of strength, beauty, courage, and wisdom!
We must be for those in our REAL circles what this movie is doing for the world. Those we see, when we do “LIFE ON LIFE” – we must be intentional about the words we use, the way we dress, and the interactions we have with the generation to come.
May they all know that they are:
“Princes and Princesses”
who are
‘Kings and Queens’ in the making.
There are articles on articles on articles on articles about this movie. Some for it and some against it. There are interviews on interviews. Blog on blogs on blogs. FB posts. Twitter Posts. IG Posts. It continues and will continue and it makes me smile. Smile really big! If you haven’t seen it I encourage you to see it. Enjoy the movement!
At the same time: I encourage you – to vote in all elections. To support your community. To volunteer when/if you have time. Become a Big Brother/Big Sister. Start a scholarship fund. Buy someone’s schools books (you know if you can- or one book). Spend time with your family. Forgive (Life is short). Eat some vegetables and drink more water. Smile. Do Something.
Do! Be! Motivate! Encourage! Change! Mentor!
Build Bridges Not Walls
Smile
Laugh
Live a Life of Joy
In 2018 Black America the film is having a tremendous and defining impact on the country and the world. Black America is hurting. But, that is not new. Black America is experiencing pain (and this is not to say that others in America are not hurting or experiencing pain – I am up to date with American news – and my heart breaks for what’s happening at home). While my heart breaks for the families who lost loved ones – I am filled with immense JOY for how the movie is changing minds. It is my hope that young girls and boys, that adults, – everyone – sees all that they can become all that they are- and celebrate it daily.
Can I move to Wakanda now???? Please???? I’ve been looking for it in Google Trips and can’t seem to find it -sigh-
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….and don’t you worry the really cool February/ 4th month in Shanghai- birthday post is coming #thisisthirty5 #35funthingsformy35thbirthday #thirtyfiveforthirtyfive #thirtyfiveshenanigans ….
I just felt the Black Panther was worthy of a great post!
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I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY!
I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’ (one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.
#FearlessinShanghai #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic
“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” – Hellen Keller
*I choose ADVENTURE*
As Always I am so thankful for the support of you all. Financially. Prayers. Following this blog. Share the blog. I am encouraged by your responses/messages and many people have been intrigued by the thought of living overseas. Hope you are well 😊
Enjoy the track!
FEARLESS in SHANGHAI 