Even before I watched and fell in love with Black Panther, I told myself that I wouldn’t write about it.
My intentions were to enjoy the film in a room full of other Black people at a Magic Johnson theater, perhaps, get a fish sandwich afterwards in jubilee, and forgo the urge to write about it through a critical lens. “Let everyone else engage in verbal Mortal Kombat over the politics of a fictitious character named Killmonger and/or wrestle with the question ‘Can the revolution be sponsored by Disney?'” was my set mood.
Unfortunately, one part of my identity has been crawling up and down my neck while singing “Pick up the phone, baby (oooooh)/I know your home, baby (ooooooh)/It’s lit!” and now I am breaking my promises-promises.
The decision is rooted in reaction to reports that a deleted scene featuring Danai Gurira’s Okoye and Florence Kasumba’s Ayo engaging in flirtation is yet another sign of queer erasure.
For the full story, visit Essense.com/Culture.
