Why Chadwick Boseman Was A True Warrior
|By Parshva Shah|
The world was stunned on August 28, by the sudden demise of one of Hollywood’s finest actors, Chadwick Boseman. I am rendered speechless, having been an ardent fan of his since I first saw him play the iconic Marvel character T’Challa a.k.a Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War.
I have not seen any Chadwick Boseman movie apart from his portrayals as Black Panther in the four Marvel Cinematic movies that he has made an appearance in, including his epoch-making billion-dollar film ‘Black Panther’ in 2018.
However, Chadwick Boseman’s heroics extended to the real world as well. The fact that he broke the barriers of color (somewhat) explain how significant Chadwick Boseman’s contribution to modern cinema is. To be playing T’Challa and representing millions of people belonging to that particular community, while also bringing the character to life on the big screen seamlessly, will remain the zenith of his acting career.
Black kids and people finally got a hero they could look up to and relate with. Black Panther was a genuinely ground-breaking movie considering how Hollywood, and the USA, in general, have been characteristically rattled by racism over the decade (probably even centuries. I am weak at history.) The movie was much more than a commercial success. It was a cultural extravaganza.
The point of this article is not only to remember him as Black Panther, which will remain his most prominent role, but also to recognize why he was a hero off the screen as well, and why he could very well become an inspiration for people battling it out in their lives with a spectrum of problems.
To begin with, he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016 at the age of 40. It was stage III of the diagnosis, but he never disclosed publically that he was diagnosed with cancer. Until now, not many people were aware of this fact.
Stage III became Stage IV, and amidst all the treatment and chemotherapy, he shot as many as nine films. Who would have thought in 2018 that the very man taking down villains and being a part of a mega battle in front of our eyes, who had an infectious aura about him, was fighting a battle of his own with cancer?
This trait sets him apart from everyone else. To be able to work with the hope that everything would be alright is a commendable thing. It takes courage to accept reality and live life as if everything is working out the way you desire it to.
He was the embodiment of all the characters he has ever played, right from Jackie Robinson to King T’Challa of Wakanda. I don’t have many words at the moment. But the fact that he signed on for nine movies is a testament to the fact that he was a strong human being.
The fact that he is not amongst us anymore tears my heart apart, but what will always remain with us is the inspiration that he leaves behind for millions of people. He taught a fundamental lesson while bidding adieu to the world, and that was always to face your problems and look at it in the eye.
Thank you for touching our lives, Chadwick Boseman. We love you 3000 and Wakanda Forever!
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