There are some celebrities who, for their character, personality and principles, become more to all of us – Chadwick Boseman was such a person.
“Let who has watered, be watered. Let he who has given, be given to”. That was the bible quotation Boseman chose in paying tribute to his idol Denzel Washington. On the terrible news of his death, his tribute to Denzel has become the world’s tribute to him.
A look at Boseman’s career, the movies he acted in and the causes he supported show, above all else, that this was a man on a mission. A mission to highlight the stories he cared about and the people he loved. In his short time on earth, Boseman accomplished more as an actor than most do in their lifelong careers. And the revelation that most of his greatest work was carried out whilst he suffered from cancer, makes his achievements all the more exceptional and poignant.
“The struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose” Chadwick Boseman
In his latest film, Da 5 Bloods, which was released earlier this year, Boseman is stunning in his portrayal of Norman, a squad leader killed in Vietnam 50 years before four men under his command come back to present-day Vietnam, on a journey to their pasts. In the film directed by Spike Lee, the four now older veterans appear in a jungle scene with their deceased leader who hasn’t changed in his appearance or manner. In that brilliant flashback scene, Norman, played by Boseman, is still the effective and handsome young leader he always was.
In a tragic poignancy, we now know the brilliant, humble, funny and graceful Boseman will forever be the same, whilst we go on, with his memory intact. All around the world, people young and old are mourning the brilliant squad leader, who fought to highlight the people, issues and stories we all cared about.
IN 42, Chadwick Boseman was again at hand to highlight another important story: Jackie Robinson’s breaking of major league baseball’s colour line. Boseman received rave review for his performance, and the film performed well. Perhaps, for a man who cared so deeply about playing positive black characters, the role came easy; but nonetheless, his ability to convince audiences of his character was genius.
In Get on Up, Boseman took on the role of the legendary James Brown. Whist the film received mixed reviews, Boseman’s performance was looked upon favourably. He brought James Brown to life and proved his versatile ability as an actor. All these films were to make him a great actor, but it was his role as King T’Challa, which made a household name. Tragically, whilst he was a superhero to all of us, he carried on his shoulders his own private burdens.
A brave superhero in the midst of personal hardship
As King T’Challa, the fictional ruler of Wakanda, Boseman literally changed perceptions of what a superhero could be. He imposed his personality, humility and skill on the character, and made it his own. For all cinema goers, especially those who are Black, Black Panther was no small deal: for the first time, a superhero and King we all so desperately wanted came to rule the big screen. To gauge the impact Boseman had on people of all ages, you only have to examine the excitement and eagerness with which people awaited the release of Black Panther.
Children used whatever they could to fashion a King T’Challa mask, parents wore their Dashikis and brothers and sisters, some for the first time, wore traditional African attire with the pride of the whole continent. Black Panther wasn’t just a movie. For many, it was the realisation of what they had dreamed of for so long.
The film was to gross $1.4 billion, and the strange and ridiculous perception that black movies weren’t as profitable, was shattered. Even in the midst of his own tragic personal battle with cancer, Boseman was to go on to reprise his role as King T’Challa in Captain America : Civil War and Endgame, the most successful movie of all time.
It’s hard to understand how someone could give his best, whilst encountering one of life’s most difficult battles. But from his interviews, his character and his work, a simple deduction could be made: Black Panther inspired the very people Boseman become an actor for, and he wasn’t going to let them down. During the aftermath of the Black Panther success, when his name was shouted by little children and displayed on TV screens across the world, Boseman didn’t assume all the glory and spotlight typical of a Hollywood movie star. Instead, he used his platform to highlight the contribution of his cast, his production team and his legions of adoring fans. Out of the cinema, he spent his time visiting sick children and working on important causes – he wasn’t just King T’Challa on the screen, but in real life too.
Never one to assume glory, spotlight or credit. Humble, funny, gentle and elegant till the end.
Chadwick Boseman’s brilliance, his art form and gentle character will be remembered for a long time to come. But the personal impact he had on people, his humility and kindness, and his ability to make people dream, will be his legacy.
Maya Angelou once said, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. From the tributes and outpouring of love after the news of his death, it’s certain that we’re all never going to forget how Chadwick Boseman made us feel.
Because of Chadwick Boseman, a Black director will have the confidence and belief that their movie could be the next big thing.
And Black children all around the world will be staring up at a poster of their new favourite superhero who for once, looks, acts and talks just like them.