Send The Kids To Black Panther

After watching a recent viral video displaying the pure joy and happiness of the children of Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta on finding out that they will be viewing the upcoming Black Panther movie, I have felt inspired to raise money for the children of my own community here in Long Beach to be afforded the same opportunity.

While I have seen many of my adult peers rightfully be excited by the chance to see such a movie with positive black images, I don't feel like the children who need to see these symbols in their most formative years are being prioritized. I am of the opinion that the superhero trope and the idea of combatting the evil in the world that we exist in should be maximized and encouraged. It's hard to deny the fact that there are limited example of such in the media today with regards to black figures.

Children should be able to know that there is more complexity to the black experience in film beyond being a slave or a criminal. Film is an important medium of expression that can help reverberate feelings of pride within one's culture as was the case in definitive black cinematic moments such as X and Daughters of the Dust.  Although rooted in fiction, a movie such as Black Panther which displays the highly technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda draws direct influence from historical examples such as the gold rich empire of Mali and Songhai, as well as the cultural hubs of Timbuktu, Great Zimbabwe, Meroe, Axum, and Ancient Egypt. The significance of a brief respite in today's climate of racial prejudice wouldn't be lost on the minds of many children of today unfortunately.

In the historic Wrigley neighborhood that I grew up within there are two elementary schools Burnett Elementary and Jackie Robinson Academy. It is my goal to raise enough money to send 100 students from these two schools to be able to see positive examples of themselves displayed on screen. I am personally sponsoring children on my own time, but I know that we can make a bigger impact and send more students by standing together. When this campaign is over I, Senay Kenfe, will  withdraw the funds and buy tickets for Black Panther to then be given to the schools referenced aboved. We are shooting for the 20th for this viewing. Thank you for your time and please contribute and help spread the word.