After seeing Black Panther, we took home two things: the “Wakanda Forever” chant and the conviction that Black Panther is more than a film, it's a movement. This is shown in the way various parts of the movie have found their way into different aspects of our lives. And sports isn’t left out.
(Photo: Marvel)
In fact, it seems the craze is more in the world of sports, especially basketball. Yes, the opening scene set in 1992 Oakland shows children playing basketball, but outside the movie, the connection is much more than that.
The power of Black Panther was shown during the NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk championship on February 17. The lead actor, Chadwick Boseman was there. Before we knew it, he got up and handed the Black Panther mask to Indiana Pacers star, Victor Oladipo who proceeded to take the most memorable dunk of the night with the mask on.
Victor Oladipo takes flight with the #BlackPanther mask pic.twitter.com/PNHqZXlDGa— ESPN (@espn) February 18, 2018
While we were still enjoying that moment, NBA’s social media team tweeted a photo of a proposed Black Panther-themed jersey – which leaves us asking if a Wakanda team will be the league’s next franchise.
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 22, 2018
Away from basketball, the Black Panther movement is alive and well in football. Manchester United players, Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba showed another side to goal celebration by doing the Wakanda salute during their game against Chelsea last Sunday. Of course, we trust Pogba to shine a light on hot topics using goal celebrations, like the Libya slave trade.
While these instances show the power of representation (which is what Black Panther does so well), we’re sure more will follow. If not, why do we chant “Wakanda Forever”?
Black Panther pic.twitter.com/zqJBcGA3nV— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) February 25, 2018
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