On March 22, 2023, I posted a blog entry entitled Boggles the Mind in which I stated:
I can watch Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), displeased with racial stereotypes depicting black people as mimicking monkeys, hearing dominant black characters expressing bigoted phrases like “white boy,” and observing a racist delusion about black and brown people uniting to fight against white people.
I can further recognize the real-world ramifications of these actions, as prior to her appointment to Vice President of the United States [U.S.], Kamala Harris—arguably the beneficiary of a DEIA [diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility] position of power and privilege—proudly displayed a racially insensitive Wakanda forever gesture on a comedic late night talk show:
That genuine (not artificial intelligence-produced) photo of Harris aged like milk. Regarding this expression, one source states, “What does ageing like milk mean? Simply put, ageing badly. Contrast this with ageing like wine which means getting better with age.”
Harris’ campaign for the U.S. presidency was chock-full of DEIA appeals to non-white voters. As not to bore the reader with multiple examples, I’ll provide only one herein. According to one October 2024 source:
Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a platform of policies to court [b]lack male voters this week, which she called the “Opportunity Agenda for [b]lack Men.” The platform includes business loans for [b]lack entrepreneurs, legalization of marijuana, and better regulation of the cryptocurrency market, which disproportionately predates on [b]lack men.
Harris’ strategy reminds me of the nonsensical depiction of so-called black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) characters in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Perhaps my interpretation of the film is a mere oversimplification.
Still, what I recall watching was a movie in which BIPOC characters fought against those ethnicities which have been largely excluded from the black and brown dichotomy, as well as white people in specific. Regarding this matter, one comic book source stated:
So when you have Marvel intentionally removing white characters – and admitting it – along with changing characters for the sake of diversity or even insulting them, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when that audience doesn’t show up.
That theme also aged like milk. In fact, I suspect its message was long since sour before the release of the 2022 film. To explain what I mean, forgive me a personal anecdote.
I was born in the mid-‘70s to a black dad and white mom. Growing up in Texas, I had mainly white, black, and Mexican friends. While some whites and blacks didn’t get along very well, it was well-understood that there was tension between blacks and Mexicans.
For instance, some of the white girls I dated in my youth had parents who raised questions about their daughters dating a biracial boy. A number of their parents were outright racist about matter.
However, most of the Mexicans I’ve dated in my youth and adulthood have family members who’ve protested the potential intermingling of their linage with mine. There was no secret about how little respect blacks and Mexicans had for one another, and I’ve merely accepted the matter as normal.
Likewise, when I befriended Mexican Sureños in adolescence, my carnales were prohibited from (a) transforming powder cocaine that they sold into crack rock and (b) selling powder to black people and in black neighborhoods. I was surprised by the answer as to why this was.
My camaradas explained that crack rock was mainly used by black people, and blacks weren’t “good for business.” Black people were considered to be less-than, trouble-making, degenerates while the mostly white and Mexican patrons of cocaine powder were acceptable individuals.
Much later in adulthood, I discussed this experience with my late stepmom—a black woman who also grew up in Texas and was said to have been involved in the drug game at one point (heroin). “Baby, we’ve never gotten along,” she expressed of blacks and Mexicans.
When I asked her why she thought that was, my stepmom stated, “We both fight for a seat at the table of the white man. We compete for jobs and housing, and we divide ourselves on the streets and in the [prison] system.”
I found it interesting to hear that her perspective mirrored that of my own. Therefore, when 2020 rolled around and many people within the U.S. were promoting an idea of a unified front regarding so-called BIPOC people, I recognized the absurdity of their cause.
Likewise, when Black Panther: Wakanda Forever depicted a unified front of supposed BIPOC individuals against mostly white people, I was disappointed by my beliefs in regard to how many people actually fell for the rhetoric. Noteworthy, I was disappointed though not self-disturbed.
Frequent practice of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) helps me not to upset myself with irrational beliefs about how I, other people, and life should, must, or ought to be. As such, I was disappointed by the divisive Harris Wakanda pose and 2020 protests, though not angry or disgusted.
Then, after Election Day 2024, something happened. I awoke to find out that a white man had electorally beat the brakes off of a non-white woman. Harris lost to Donald Trump—the president-elect of the U.S.
Surprisingly still, one source reports, “Turnout for Trump spiked among Hispanic/Latino, Asian voters.” A separate source states, “Trump was able to make slight inroads with [b]lack voters nationally, who made up about 1 in 10 voters across the country.”
It appears that so-called BIPOC individuals have begun to unite. Only, it would seem as though – at least partially – DEIA was on the ballot and the citizenry of the U.S. have begun to stand against the blatantly discriminatory practices which have plagued our nation for years.
Wakanda forever? No! How about the United States of America first? (I don’t use “Make America Great Again” or “America First,” because America is comprised of North, Central, and South America.) After that, then we can focus on improving the world (if people consent).
The Black Panther films aged like milk, so did Harris’ campaign. DEIA has been altogether rotten. Perhaps with a healthy dose of unconditional other-acceptance we can now strive to become a civil society. (One can hope, even if irrationally so.)
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
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