Why the World Needed Chadwick Boseman (and more people like him)

I’ve written this article at least three times now, trying to find the right words to say. I’m a perfectionist, and nothing is ever right for a perfectionist, which can be quite exhausting. In everything I do, I want to be absolutely great. I can’t be the only person who thinks this way.

In our own perfect world — or should I say our perfect fantasy world — we all have supernatural abilities; capable of doing no wrong and accomplishing everything we set out to do with ease. But not even the almighty Superman quite mastered being Clark Kent.

Being the best is impossible. Wanting to be the best you can be, however, is not.

This is what the life of the late Chadwick Boseman taught me.

On the evening of February 16th, 2018, around 5 pm, I was just getting off of work down in Greenville, where I went to college. I hightailed it out the dining hall and across 5th street to the student parking lot and started for Wake Forest in my rusty black (nearly blue from sun damage) ’02 Suzuki Aerio, which I lovingly called, Black Beauty.

After a bumpy hour-long drive, I had made it home to meet up with my family to see the 8'oclock showing of the Black Panther. I had preordered tickets for everyone over a month ago, but given the high anticipation of the movie premiere, I had barely gotten us seats in time to where we could all sit together. Fortunately, I managed to snag us four seats in the second row from the screen. As uncomfortable as we may have been seat-wise, I don’t think anyone really cared.

To this day, I can’t even fully begin to describe what made the night so magical. It was a a completely surreal experience, to say the least. The magic transcended beyond the screen. At that point in time, for exactly two hours, there were billions of other people, from all backgrounds and walks of life, witnessing history being made at the same time. If you really sit back and think about the gravity of that thought, it is truly mind-blowing; especially given all the world has been through this year.

There were, of course, many talented people behind the magic: Stan Lee (the mastermind), Ryan Coogler, Lupita N’yongo, Danai Gurira, and Michael B. Jordan, to name a few. But one man in particular stands out from the rest. A man, that many described as “graceful” and “humble”, with a determination and tenacity that had many wondering was he “touched by God”?

On Friday August 28th, 2020, at the age of 43, the world lost more than King T’Challa. We lost hope.

I know what many might be thinking: Black Panther isn’t real, Chadwick Boseman was just a man, you didn’t even know him. Those statements are all true. But there’s also a statue of Rocky Balboa, a fictional boxer played by Sylvester Stallone, erected in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Rocky’s character meant enough to Philadelphians to immortalize the impact his story had on the world. Well, Chadwick Boseman had the same powerful effect on the hearts of so many for the same kinds of reasons.

A couple nights after Chadwick’s death, ABC aired Chadwick Boseman: A Tribute for a King, after a special commercial-free presentation of the Black Panther. Chris Connelly, a well-known reporter for ABC, was one of the many celebrities that spoke on the tribute. I wrote down a quote of his that stuck out to me because it was exactly what I was thinking, but couldn’t find the words to say. Connelly said:

“I can’t think of an actor who would be considered more irreplaceable; less dispensable; more absolutely necessary right now than Chadwick Boseman; and so, that he’s gone is a monumental loss for everyone.”

Chadwick Boseman painted a true picture of what black greatness looks like, in a time when black people needed his voice the most. Chadwick once said:

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would have a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’”

Not everyone can be a President like Barack Obama. Not everyone can be a strong Civil Rights leader like Martin Luther King. Not everyone can be an activist like Angela Davis. Not everyone can be a superstar like Lebron James. But everyone has a talent that can be used as a platform to discredit stigmas, stereotypes, and invalidate long held justifications for discrimination. I think it’s safe to say, Chadwick Boseman did just that.

Chadwick’s medium was acting; his art was film; his films were escapes. He did all he could in the time he had to use his platform to show the world how important positive representation is in making all people feel like royalty, and not just the same select few. From 42 to the Avengers: End Game — and countless other roles — Chadwick Boseman made black people feel like their lives mattered, in the midst of society telling them through its actions that their lives don’t. He also managed to do most of this while battling another form of adversity called cancer. Now if that doesn’t take some kind of supernatural ability, I don’t know what does.

This is why the world needed Chadwick, and that’s why the world needs more people like him; so that hope doesn’t have to die, but can live on through the kind, thoughtful, and courageous acts of others.

Because, when a little black boy or a little black girl sees their lives as something of a value, they’ll grow up knowing their worth and how important that self-understanding is in being the best people they can be.

So, as the great Josh Brolin (the man who brought Thanos to life) said:

“… (Chadwick) have a wonderful journey. Wherever you’re going, they’re lucky to have you.”

The next life is very lucky to have you, Chadwick. Thank you for inspiring us all to strive to be the best people that we can be.