Chadwick Boseman was More than a Superhero on the Big Screen

My husband and I were watching a movie together on Friday night (8/28/20) when I decided to check my news feed.  There is was:

CHADWICK BOSEMAN;  DEAD AT THE AGE OF 43 FROM COLON CANCER

I couldn't believe it!  I thought it had to be some kind of mistake or joke---you know those false celebrity death reports that pop up from time to time based on a quarter of the story being told.  I immediately went to Twitter because I figured that would be my best source for this information because we all know the major networks wouldn't consider this "Breaking News."

And there it was..........

My Twitter feed was cluttered with reports of his death.  Then I went to his Twitter page and saw the official announcement from his Publicist. I shared the news with my husband and then we proceeded to watch one of his movies, A Message From the King.

The next morning I woke up and decided to look at a link my daughter shared.  It was of Chadwick surprising fans on The Jimmy Fallon Show.  As I was watching I just burst into tears.  I kept thinking that a bright light, in all of this dark and gloom we've been experiencing here in America, had suddenly gone dim--and without warning. No one knew.  His inner circle never said a word (By the way, that's what you call true friendship and loyalty) and he continued to share his gift with the masses on the big screen.

I then became obsessed  with wanting to learn everything I could about him.  Besides being born and raised in Anderson, SC, he reportedly got his start in TV in 2003 on the ABC Soap All My Children.  He played a character named Reggie Montgomery.  I have to say I don't remember his character even though I watched the ABC Soap faithfully.  He ended up being replaced by Michael B. Jordan (who I do remember ironically).  The next time I would hear his name (more than once or twice) was when the movie 42: The Jackie Robinson Story came out, followed by his James Brown impersonation in the Movie Get On Up and then the year-long anticipation for his role as T'Challa, our Black Panther King.

And here's what else I discovered....In the four years since he was diagnosed with cancer, he became a strong cancer advocate for others.  He visited a number young cancer patients without getting any fanfare.  He knew then what his medical fate was but he kept going. That probably explains why he was so overcome with emotion when talking about two young boys who told him they were trying to hang on so they could see Black Panther---but they DIED before the premiere.   He was living out Jimmy Valvano's "NEVER GIVE UP!" mantra in ways that many of us can't begin to imagine.  I know people still living who haven't done half of the things Chadwick did.  Hopefully, those of us older than 43 will take this extra time we've been given to fulfill our purpose without regret. 

In the four years since Chawick was diagnosed with cancer, he made 10 films!  And these weren't "I need mindless entertainment"  pictures.  These were movies that gave you some insight into historical figures who helped shaped this country (Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson) and to allow us to see how powerful we can be (Gods of Egypt and 21 Bridges) 

But he will forever be known as The Black Panther---a superhero who some parents have said was just as inspirational to their children as former President Barack Obama. His Black Panther character gave black children hope and showed them there were strong intelligent people of color who looks just like them.  He gave black adults a sense of pride.  In addition, he showed white children they could love a superhero who DIDN'T look like them.  

Chadwick Boseman has demonstrated what determination, fighting against all odds, willpower and not letting your circumstances define you looks like. What will you see when you look in the mirror?  

#WakandaForever

Our Parents Thoughts Fifty Years Ago

It's amazing to me how much has changed in 50 years. Even as a baby boomer, it seems like a lifetime ago due to the changing culture.

Here are some of the things our parents were saying back in the Fifties:

"I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20.00."


"Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long before $2,000.00will only buy a used one."


"If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous!"


"Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter!"


"If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store."


"When I started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon.


"I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying, "DAMN" in GONE WITH THE WIND, it seems every new movie has either HELL or DAMN in it."


"I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas."


"Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the President."


"I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now."


"It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet. It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work."


"I'm afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business."


"The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on."


"There is no sense going away for the weekend anymore, it costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel."


"No one can afford to be sick anymore, at $35.00 a day in the hospital it's too rich for my blood."


"If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it!"


"I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to Congress."

What are we, as baby boomers, saying now?