I first knew him as the legendary James Brown. He had the swagger, groove, and moves. Hey, hey, hey, and he had the feelin’. I’m talking about Chadwick Boseman in his dynamic portrayal of James Brown.
Chadwick played James Brown like it was nobody’s business but his.
Rolling, quaking, jerking, spinning, splitting, Chadwick worked it out on stage. There was no half stepping. The processed hair, jumpsuit, stacked heels, and the infamous cape, he had it going on.
If he had said, “Please, please don’t go to me,” I would’ve stayed.
Every muscle in his body and strain of his hair were electrified. Chadwick emulated James Brown; he was Soul Brother Number 1.
I laughed all through the film and even tried to imitate some of the moves. You may not believe this, but I use to be able to quake like that. But no splits for me!
In Get On Up, Chadwick never sat down; he was ‘The hardest working man in show biz.’
Chadwick was an outstanding actor in some of the most challenging biographical roles, which also included: Thurgood Marshall in Marshall and Jackie Robinson in 42.
Can all actors play a major league baseball player role? I really don’t know, but Chadwick hit a home run when he played Jackie Robinson in the movie 42.
Before watching 42, I didn’t know Robinson’s number. Call me un-American, but I don’t care much for baseball. But I loved the movie 42. In 42, Chadwick played Robinson, who was the first black man to break the color barrier in major league baseball.
At one point, in the movie, white fans taunted him, rapidly firing the ‘N’ word, and Chadwick wanted to strike back. He questioned whether wearing the Dodgers uniform was worth him being belittled and humiliated. I felt his hurt and fury. I had classmates who similarly taunted me. Instead of cracking a couple of skulls, Chadwick smashed and demolished his bat against a brick wall.
Get On Up and 42 were excellent portrayals of blacks’ struggles to obtain equal access to opportunities: the right to experience and live the American dream and play professional baseball. Music is a universal language, and its appeal transcends race. Skin color has nothing to do with hitting home runs or stealing bases. The historical significance of Chadwick’s movies grabbed me and made me prouder of all of our struggles, perseverance, and successes.
Chadwick made the struggles and advances look almost prophetical. As an actor, Chadwick was a code breaker, a demolisher of barriers, and a groundbreaker of paths so others could follow.
He will always be T’Challa or Black Panther, a visionary and king of Wakanda, an African kingdom.
But he was more than a Marvel fictional character like Batman or Superman. We have never had a black superhero. For too many decades, Black Panther was the missing superhero for blacks of all ages.
The movie was not only entertaining, but it was mesmerizing. Chadwick whetted the appetites of 10, 30, 50 and 80-plus-year-old, black moviegoers.
Today’s black boys and girls are blessed to have such a hero.
Need I say, there were no black superheroes on film or the television screen when I was 10. But whether you’re 5 or 85, the Black Panther fills a void for African Americans and blacks worldwide.
Like so many fans, I was surprised to learn that Boseman was ill while making quite a few of his films: Marshall, Da 5 Bloods, Ma Rainey, Black Panther, and others.
He was a tough and courageous fighter on and off the screen. Battered and sick, he empathized and tried to make a difference in the lives of others, who were sick. The sick children captured his heart, and he wanted to ease their pain. The Make-a-Wish Foundation and St. Jude‘s Children’s Research Hospital received special attention and advocacy. He was a servant superhero.
What a man! What a man!
Who knew he was well into his four year battle with colon cancer when Black Panther was in production.
The following is a heartfelt quote from Chadwick Boseman.
”Inhale and exhale this moment, and thank God for the unique beauties and wonders of the day. We should take advantage of every moment we can to enjoy the simplicity of God’s creation, whether it be clear skies and sun or clouded over with gloom.” People Magazine, June 21.
Chadwick Boseman, thanks for your dedication, heart, and winning spirit.
Wakanda Forever!