By: Erica M. Ponder
We knew the debut of Marvel’s Black Panther would be huge, but man… our expectations have officially been exceeded with new numbers showing the true impact the movie possessed across the globe.
According to the Huffington Post, the nation’s trip to Wakanda brought in an impressive $242 million domestically during the Presidents Day weekend, exceeding its original prediction of $165 million.
But wait, it doesn’t end there– the film also made $426 million worldwide, making it the top-grossing film with a black cast… Let that sink in.
Aside from monetary success, many people are pleased with the representation the movie gives people of African descent. With the amazing cast showing images of warriors in the form of black women, kings in the image of black men, and heroes dripping with melanin, one can’t help but be proud. That is why the support for this particular film was so necessary!
And all you had to do was look at literally all of your social media outlets to see that black people from all over the world showed up and showed out!
#BlackPantherMovie #BlackPantherChallenge #BlackPanther #WakandaForever #BlackWomenSmiling #DoraMilaje I AM A FIERCE WAKANDAN WARRIOR!!! pic.twitter.com/jaHdUhw9cz — Pretty Magnolia (@PrettyMagnolia_) February 17, 2018
I’m ready for #blackpanther let’s go. Putting on a different twist to the #BlackPantherChallenge #NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/qYI7Z4eK9I — Chapati Papi🇰🇪 (@J03_Blvck) February 12, 2018
hey king👑 #BlackPantherChallenge pic.twitter.com/7KJjlW1Dqp — PB&Jay (@conradchinedu) February 18, 2018
community screening of @theblackpanther ✊🏿 thank u @FredTJoseph for starting the #BlackPantherChallenge ! it was important for these kids to see these superheros on screen 🙏🏿 #BlackPantherToTheMax pic.twitter.com/OVHuLI5clj — Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) February 19, 2018
#BlackPanther Ready #BlackPantherChallenge #black pic.twitter.com/L6Lqt2YJDz — Zakiyah Everette (@zakiyaheverette) February 16, 2018
Wakanda Forever. #BlackPanther #BlackPantherChallenge pic.twitter.com/Ieps0DsaE2 — Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) February 15, 2018
My baby brother on the right and my little cousin on the left. “I want to be a king and a superhero”. This is why the #BlackPantherChallenge is important. Our children deserve what many of us never had. Let’s take every child we can. pic.twitter.com/ZvJtchgX7V — Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) February 16, 2018
Needless to say, the outpour of support has been nothing short of amazing.
People are also using their love for Wakanda to get people registered to vote! According to Vox, an initiative called #WakanaTheVote was spearheaded by Kayla Reed, Jessica Byrd, and Rukia Lumumba, the founders of Movement for Black Lives’ Electoral Justice Project, and has encouraged organizations to set up voters registration tables, or have people register through a text message.
While numbers don’t lie, the huge impact this movie has had on our hearts, minds, and spirits is undeniable. #WakandaForever is more than just a hashtag– it is now a way of life. The #BlackPantherChallenge is more than just a way to show off the most stylist African attire– it is a way to show pride for self and all of the beautiful things people of African descent can do.
Shout out to Ryan Coogler for giving us something that is worthy of great dialogue and all of the excitement that people are showing! This movie is engaging, conscious, and absolutely colorful! Let’s continue to push this film in more creative, innovative ways!