Harris / Shuri 2020

The transfer of power to Black women is underway

Jack Hughes is back with a comparison of the real-world and silver-screen transfers of power to Black women.

by Jack Hughes

Chadwick Boseman’s last tweet was about Kamala Harris. Less than three weeks before the end of his courageous, private battle against cancer, Boseman celebrated her selection as Joe Biden’s vice-presidential nominee posting a photo of himself with Harris and the message:  “Yes! @KamalaHarris #WhenWeAllVote #Vote2020.”

When Boseman passed away this past August, he left an incredible legacy behind – but also an immense void. He was a role model to billions not only because of his on-screen acting but for his off-screen actions. Boseman was the kind of real-life hero that he excelled at portraying such as Thurgood Marshall and Jackie Robinson.

Because he was a leader both in and out of costume, it seems perfectly fitting that he will be best remembered for playing an iconic hero who was, himself, a leader both in and out of costume. Boseman was Black Panther and King T’Challa. They were one in the same person but, importantly, two different and distinct characters. 

I say it’s important because there’s no actor who could replace Boseman as T’Challa, but the mantle of the Black Panther is meant to be passed on – which means Disney must decide who it gets passed on to. And this choice, it strikes me, is in some small ways similar to the choice Biden made when he picked Harris as his running mate.

When Joe Biden became the Democrats’ presumptive nominee in April, the focus shifted to who would join him on the ticket. Having already committed to naming a woman, speculation swirled about whether Biden might select Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Amy Klobuchar, or, perhaps, Michigan Governor Gretchen Witmer.

Then, in May, George Floyd was killed. Across America and around the world people were shocked and angry, and there was a renewed demand that Biden give greater consideration to possible Black candidates such as Ambassador Susan Rice, Representative Karen Bass, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, or Senator Kamala Harris.

The mantle of the Black Panther is meant to be passed on. And this choice is in some small ways similar to the choice Biden made when he picked Harris as his running mate.

After the shock of Boseman’s sudden death began to subside, the focus shifted to what would happen to Black Panther. That choice will be made by Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger. While Iger technically ceded the role of CEO last winter, he led Disney’s response to COVID-19 and continues to be ‘The Man Behind The Mouse.’ 

Disney has recast characters in its Marvel movies before. Don Cheadle replaced Terrance Howard as James “Rhodey” Rhodes as of Iron Man 2. Mark Ruffalo, in turn, replaced Ed Norton as Bruce Banner and the Hulk in Avengers. Yet, as Iger has made clear, the Black Panther movie franchise is of far greater societal importance.

In The Ride of a Lifetime – one of the best business books I’ve read in a while – Iger talks movingly about the movie’s cultural significance. “There may be no product we’ve created that I’m more proud of than Black Panther.” That’s high praise when you look at the scope of Disney’s creative achievements during Iger’s tenure as CEO. 

After its opening week, Iger sent a letter to every employee in his company: “Black Panther has become an instant cultural phenomenon, sparking discussion, causing reflection, inspiring people young and old.” Iger also sent a copy of Black Panther to President Barack Obama who told him “how important he believed the film was.”

That’s why I don’t think it’s disrespectful for me to compare Bob Iger’s choice of who will succeed Chadwick Boseman as the Black Panther with Joe Biden’s choice of who would succeed him if he is elected president but, for whatever reason, is unable to complete his term of office. Both choices will impact and inspire millions.

Biden and Iger aren’t dissimilar themselves. They’re fairly close in age and rose to the top of their professions after long careers which included stints as ‘number two’ under a prominent predecessor (Biden to Obama, Iger to Michael Eisner). Iger even explored seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 before opting out.

In his book, Iger admits he’s “always been interested in politics and policy, and I often thought about serving the country after I left Disney.” He’s now one of the former Vice President’s biggest backers, personally donating over $250,000 to the Biden Victory Fund.  It’s not inconceivable that Iger could serve in a Biden cabinet. 

All this to say Iger’s thinking about who to name as the next Black Panther might be guided by some of the same considerations Joe Biden weighed when he chose his running mate. Both know politics and popular culture are at an inflection point where Black women have rightly and rightfully earned the opportunity to take on lead roles.

After Disney bought Marvel, Iger says he personally championed diversity. “Marvel films so far had been built largely around characters who were white and who were men. When I said that I thought we should be changing that, Kevin [Feige] agreed but was worried that members of the Marvel team in New York would be skeptical.”

Iger’s professed faith in Black and women lead characters, a belief vindicated by the success of Black Panther and Captain Marvel, suggests that he’d likely be open – perhaps even eager – to cast a Black woman as the new Black Panther. If so, like Joe Biden, Iger would have a long list of excellent, talented, and compelling candidates.

Black Panther introduced us to many strong women: Leticia Wright as Shuri, Danai Gurira as Okoye, and Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia – as well as Angela Basset as Queen Ramonda. Any of Shuri, Okoye, or Nakia would be amazing Black Panthers, though based on Wakandan tradition and comic book canon Shuri has the strongest claim.

In fact, it was widelyrumored in the summer of 2019 – a full year before Boseman’s passing – that Leticia Wright’s Shuri would become the Black Panther in an eventual sequel. At that time, Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, and even Iger himself had no idea that Boseman was fighting cancer.

If true, this suggests Iger had more of a shorter-term succession plan in mind for the character than what us fans might have expected. This would be, again, not unlike Biden who has reportedly told his closest aides that if he’s elected president he only intends to serve a single term – which must have been a factor in his choice of Veep.

In August 2020, Joe Biden and Bob Iger were forced by fate to choose an heir. For Biden, it was the result of a great triumph. For Iger, it was the result of a great tragedy. For both, the choice was a chance to elevate a Black woman to take on a leading role she has earned. Boseman approved of Harris, he would’ve surely approved of Shuri.

---

What do you think of today's email? I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback. I might even put ‘em in the newsletter if I don’t steal it outright.

Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Unless of course you were forwarded this email, in which case you should…

Want a way to send gifts and support local restaurants? Goldbelly’s got you hooked up. 

I used this to order scotch delivered right to my door. Recommend.

I’ve lost 35 pounds this year with Noom, and haven’t had to cut out any foods. Noom is an app that uses psychology, calorie counting, and measuring activity to change your behavior and the way you think about food. I’m stronger and healthier than I’ve been in years. Click on the blue box to get 20% off. 

Headspace, a guided meditation app, was a useful tool for my late-stage maturation has been a godsend to me during the pandemic. Click here for a free trial. 

If this newsletter is of some value to you, consider donating. Honestly, I’m not doing this for the money. I’m writing this newsletter for myself, and for you. And a lot of you are contributing with letters and by suggesting articles for me to post. But some of you have asked for a way to donate money, so I’m posting my Venmo and PayPal information here. I promise to waste every cent you give me on having fun, because writing this newsletter for you is some of the most fun I’ve had. Venmo me at @Jason-Stanford-1, or use this PayPal link.