When the talented ones live

Last weekend, I saw Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Like the first movie, it explores African cultural and spiritual practices and is also inspired by the Aztecs. The Aztecs were Native Americans who were a dominant force in Mexico between the 13th and 15th century.

I watched a video a few days ago where an African woman was interviewed, and she said she had never seen Black Panther and will not see it because she does not want to see a fictionalized version of her history. She told the story about the historical black panther when sometime in the 14th century, the French defeated a group of Africans and were seeking to convert them to Christianity. They were boasting that Christianity was the superior religion. They captured the queen, stripped her and were going to behead her in the village square. She asked to speak with her ancestors for the last time, they allowed it and what emerged from the place she went to speak to her ancestors, was a black panther. The queen is said to have shapeshifted. I could not find any information to corroborate this story but in African societies there are griots who keep the history alive.

The reviews of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever have been mixed, with some loving it, some hating it, some believing that the first one was better and some believing this one is better. I believe Black Panther can serve as a catalyst for investigating the history of the people it represents. It reminds us also about how quickly the world can be destroyed because of hate, greed, and pride and about what united people can do when they are threatened by a common enemy.

Vibranium, which is a fictional metal in the world of Wakanda and which contributes to their power, can be compared to coltan, which is found in large quantities in the Congo. The world discovered one of the Congo’s treasures and they were determined to get it at all costs. Refined coltan becomes metallic tantalum, which is a heat resistant powder that can hold charge. Coltan is therefore found in laptops, cell phones and other electronic devices. Because it is only found in large quantities in the Congo, there has been exploitation and war there.

We can also think about how we can compare our oil to the fictional Vibranium. Though oil is found throughout the world, Guyana’s oil is envied and said to be of high quality, and we are seeing exploitation in our country. I think every or most Guyanese would agree that the oil deals we have made so far are not best. There are also concerns about the long-term environmental effects of oil exploration production. Some already believe that oil exploration has impacted the fishing industry. We are also experiencing the psychological and economic effects on the people.

Nevertheless, for people who may be feeling subjugated or exploited, Black Panther may also serve as a reminder of the power that is within and how powerful our cultural and spiritual practices are to the point that they can free us from the bondages of the mind. Like the queen who allegedly shapeshifted into the black panther, the weak and weary, oppressed, and afraid can transform into strength and vibrancy and reclaim their power.

Before going to see Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, I was warned that it was demonic and filled with witchcraft. These warnings only made me more curious and excited to see the film. I consider myself a student learning the ways of my ancestors – exploring the empowerment that can emerge from the knowledge they possessed and their spiritual and cultural practices. I find it sad that there are groups of people who would denigrate anything that in their eyes does not align with their religiosity but will not be honest about the psychological and spiritual effects of slavery and colonization. What greater witchcraft is there than colonizing the mind to the point that one detests their ancestors and mock the spiritual practices that empowered them? However, that is not the rabbit-hole we are heading down today.

The fact that there are two Guyanese actresses in Black Panther 2, is one reason that the film resonates with many Guyanese. It is the pride of seeing our people on the big screen and knowing that we are as talented as people found on every part of this planet. But it also raises questions about what it means for the culture in Guyana and if Guyanese living in Guyana can reach the level of success as Letitia Wright and Shaunette Renée Wilson. Both young women migrated, and many do not believe they would have achieved the success they have had it not been for leaving these shores. As a creative, who loves my country, prefers to live in my country and has been active in the performing and literary arts for more than two decades, and has been told many times by Guyanese at home and abroad to leave Guyana to achieve greater success, this no doubt saddens me.

I remember a few years ago when a dancer informed me that there were dancers in Trinidad who lived off dancing. He was saddened by the fact that he could not do that in Guyana. I also recall a couple of years ago when a friend informed me about how much a writer in Barbados was making writing for a television series and how depressed it made me feel when I compared it to what writers are offered in Guyana for the same work. We are often asked to work for free, work for little, or deemed too ambitious when we charge for what our work is worth. It is the fact that many creatives in Guyana cannot live off their talent and the ones who do are often given the bare minimum.

I believe this can change. The creatives must be determined and united. It also requires support of government and private sector, to help grow the industry and greater appreciation for the talented ones who are in Guyana.

Because of Letitia Wright’s success, President Irfaan Ali invited her to visit Guyana. Perhaps the government was not aware that there were two Guyanese actresses in the film. Nevertheless, some think that Letitia should accept the invitation while others believe she should not. The political venom poisons every aspect of our society, and the people refuse to change. The intentions behind the invitation have been questioned. We are reminded about how broken we are as a society, divided along party and ethnic lines and hurt.

Whether Letitia Wright accepts the invitation or not, she and Shaunette Renée Wilson should be celebrated. At the same time we should remember the creatives in Guyana who continue to nurse their wounds.