Every once in awhile a movie comes along that just gets you. For me, that movie in the last 3-4 year has been Black Panther. Heck, I loved the movie so much that I watched the commercial free presentation on a Sunday night (a few days after he passed) instead of studying for my first nursing exam the next day (don’t worry, I passed my exam in case you were wondering). I’ve never been into comics or a big fan of superhero movies but there was something different about Wakanda and the Black Panther. I think the difference was the main character, King T’Challa played by Chadwick Boseman. When I got the notification on my phone that he had passed a few weeks ago, my first reaction was ‘man, another Covid19 death.’ After clicking on the link and learning that he had died from stage IV colon cancer, feelings of confusion, sadness, and anger came up after the initial shock subsided. I didn’t know much about Chadwick but was drawn to his soft-spoken, humble demeanor, both on and off the screen. After learning more about him and what he went through over the last 4 years, I couldn’t help but express the positive impact he made on the world, both on screen and in real life. Below are a few things that I will remember King T’Challa for…

Find your purpose

Chadwick’s commencement speech back in 2018 at his alma mater, Howard University, really resonated with me because he talked about finding purpose in your life (if you have a few minutes to spare, I highly recommend watching the last few minutes of his speech). It’s something that I’ve struggled with in the past in regards to my future and career. I think it takes someone that has made a good living working a job that pays the bills but does little to fulfill their soul to understand the sentiment in his words below.

“You would rather find purpose than a job or a career. Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill. Whatever you choose for a career path, remember that the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.”  

Thank you King for inspiring me to find my purpose and questioning the societal standards/norms of finding a ‘stable, good job’ that might fill your wallet but not your soul.

Surround yourself with quality people, not a quantity of people

I found it quite remarkable that he kept his cancer diagnosis out of the media and public eye since being diagnosed back in 2016. We live in a sensationalist, ‘look at me’ culture that often rewards people who broadcast their lives on the internet. So when a humble, soft-spoken, articulate movie star comes along who keeps their private life private, it’s like a breath of fresh air in a foggy, air polluted city like Hollywood/LA. The fact that all of Chadwick’s closest family and friends kept his diagnosis a secret and never leaked it to the media is a testament to not only Chadwick’s circle but of his character. Suffering in silence and not making things all about him is something that I think we can all learn from and try to emulate.

Leave a mark

To hear the stories of Chadwick visiting cancer patients while battling the disease himself just adds to his legacy as a superhero not only on screen but in real life as well. In just under 43 years, he was able to touch the lives of millions of people through the art of acting. For a lucky few, he was also able to touch their hearts with his compassion, selflessness, and love by visiting them in the hospital while also fighting his own battle with cancer. Now THAT’s a true real life hero if you ask me.

Chadwick’s character in Black Panther embodies what it means to be a King that looks after his tribe. In real life, he set an example of what it means to be a true hero that puts other first above his own needs and wants, not looking for any attention or pity from those that don’t know him and his story. It’s really unfair that the good ones leave us too early but I know that he’s in a better place, looking down on us and protecting those who can’t protect themselves. Rest easy King ❤ – you’ve done your work here and left your mark on this world.

QOTP: “We have to find a way to look after one another as if we are one single tribe.” –King T’Challa