(Photo from Marvel Studios)
By Chyanne Robinson
IG: lilyunginchy
“Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on this planet at this particular time in history.”
- Chadwick Boseman
This past weekend, the world has been in mourning due to the passing of Chadwick Boseman, whose iconic performance as Marvel’s Black Panther inspired a generation of Black youth. Boseman’s Black Panther gave millions of Black a Black king who they could look up to. T’challa was not only a fearless leader, but a powerful superhero, and a loving brother and son.
Throughout his career, Boseman portrayed the ideal of what it looks like to be a fighter, while yearning for the uplifting of his community. From James Brown in Get on Up, Jackie Robinson in 42, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall, all his characters wanted the world to know that Black lives matter.
Ironically, Boseman was fighting for his own life, battling colon cancer during three of his major blockbusters. While he will be remembered for his roles, he should also be recognized for making children’s dreams through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the way he used his experiences to touch the students at his alma mater, Howard University, uplifting them with words of faith, and encouraging them to be the next generation of leaders.
Boseman was a giving soul and showed up to complete the tasks he was given through those 4 years of his battle. Looking back on his appearance on Instagram, one of his symptoms, weight loss, was evident, and he was dragged for it, leading to his cleanse from social media. From these interactions and experiences, one needs to take into consideration and take this as a lesson, that if there is a possibility to uplift someone, regardless of their current circumstances, do it.
These past few months of 2020 have brought to light the fact that time is ticking for every last one of us on this earth. Call that family member, check-in with that friend/acquaintance, and take care of yourself mentally and physically. Find your purpose, and go with it. Life is about experiences and finding that one thing that motivates you… that thing that makes one special. Rest in paradise Chadwick Boseman. The fight will forever continue.