Please note, Black Panther is rated PG-13 One of the most iconic aspects of Black Panther is the "Wakanda Forever" salute the Wakandans give to each other. T'Challa and his family share this salute with one another as do T'Challa and the leaders of his government. When I first started using Black Panther for Christian Formation, one of the youth members I spoke to pointed out that the "Wakanda Forever" salute is the American Sign Language (ASL) word for "Love". This is beautiful and incredibly fitting. Old Testament Professor and Scholar Becky Wright often points out that the Hebrew word for "Love" means more than just emotion. What it really means is "Loyalty". In fact, the word "Love" is often used in ancient peace treaties when one nation has conquered another. It was a sign that the other nation wouldn't rise up again. When we say we love God, it means we are loyal to the Lord. It means we will do whatever we can for God in this world. That idea for Love as Loyalty is very present in Black Panther. It's why T'Challa declares it in his salute to both Shuri and members of the Dora Milaje. It is also how others use it throughout the film. When T'Challa loses the challenge for the throne with Killmonger, everyone present immediately gives the "Wakanda Forever" salute to Killmonger. It is a very sad and somber moment for everyone when they do so, but it is a sign that their love, their loyalty, is to Wakanda first, no matter who it is that sits on the throne. ![]() Both Nakia and Okoye show love as loyalty, although in very different ways. Nakia loves both her country and T'Challa. Showing that love means continuing to take care of T'Challa's family, even when she believes T'Challa is dead. It also means trying to save the soul of her country, even when her methods might look like treason to others. Okoye shows her love for Wakanda by being loyal to it, no matter what she might think of those leading it at the time. Even within that loyalty, she is also loyal to T'Challa's memory, which is why she asks after their safety when speaking with Nakia. Okoye shows her love further when she refuses to stand by while Killmonger makes a mockery of Wakandan law. She is loyal to the point of even standing up against her husband in the battle for Wakanda's soul. Love is an extremely difficult thing to talk about, but when we start to see it as something more than an emotion, as both Scripture and Black Panther do, we find it binds us to God and those we love even closer than we might ever have thought possible before. Disclaimer: unless otherwise stated, the majority of images produced here are not owned or created by me. Commenting is encouraged. Please use discretion leaving comments below, letting the love of God guide you.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Please note, there maybe Spoilers in the Posts below!
The Rev. Trey KennedyHere is my take on how Superheroes and other characters can help us know God better. Categories
All
Archives
June 2024
|