Saturday – 29 August 2020

King T’Chaka: What is wrong, my son?
T’Challa: I am not ready, Baba.
King T’Chaka: Have you not prepared to be king your whole life? Have you not trained and studied, been by my side?
T’Challa: That is not what I am talking about. I am not ready to be without you.
King T’Chaka: A man who has not prepared his children for his own death has failed as a father. Have I ever failed you?
T’Challa: Never.

John Kani and Chadwick Boseman as King T’Chaka and Prince T’Challa in Black Panther

Friday, after a four-year long battle with cancer, Chadwick Boseman departed this world. Too soon. Too young.

It turns out that it was we who were not ready.

I did not know him personally. I never had the opportunity to meet him. But, I appreciated the works of his that I saw. I also appreciated his love for his fan base and his dedication uphold what appears to have been a rather high personal standard.

The world is a little bit darker place with his death.

I wish his family and loved ones well in this time of loss.

I could sit here and find any number of things to say about his life, his work, and even his legacy. The historic figures he portrayed, as well as characters created specifically for stage and film. Instead, I will simply refer you to the following links for a few of things in which I was privileged enough to participate that tied into his role as Black Panther:

Unfortunately, recordings of the Black Panther-related FanX panels in which I participated do not appear to be available.

T’Challa: In my culture, death is not the end. It’s more of a stepping off point. You reach out with both hands and Bast and Sekhmet, they lead you into the green veld where… you can run forever.

Chadwick Boseman as Prince T’Challa – The Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War

Rest in Power.
Rest in Peace.
Run forever.

Wakanda Forever.