Passport to Wakanda for the Lions!
The movie "Black Panther" has been smashing box office records since it opened on Thursday. By now we have seen the awesome response to the film from all over the world: the great cosplay, the sold out theaters, and of course many groups of children who have been treated to a screening to see an Amazing film with characters that look like them!
I don't have to tell you that representation matters a great deal. Many young boys and girls dress up as superheroes when they play pretend. The go to heroes up until now have been: Superman, Batman, Wolverine, and Wonder Woman.
All of these characters are great, but all of them are white. The race of a hero doesn't stop young children of color from putting a bed sheet on as a cape and running around saving the day, but with Black Panther's rise in popularity those same young boys and girls have a hero that they can see themself in. They don't have to be a "black superman" or "black batman", They can be T'Challa : King of Wakanda or Nakia: undercover Spy who fights to free enslaved women, this is a game changer.
This all being said I think that it is important that all children get to see and experience this film and get to picture themselves as one of the many strong black characters.
I am raising money for all of Lewis students to see this film.
About 500 students at approx $6 = $3000. Any extra that we raise will go to transportation and maybe even some movie treats.
Thank you in advance for helping my students have this amazing experience!