The numerous tumultuous events of 2020 have been downright shocking, disheartening, and have left so many of us shaking our head wondering what devastating blow will be dealt next. But honestly, I was truly flabbergasted when hit with the unfortunate news of the untimely passing of actor Chadwick Boseman. Boseman will be spoken in the present tense, being that I truly feel his influence and groundbreaking impact will continue to provide minority actors with major roles and other opportunities, which will hopefully become the norm instead of the exception in Hollywood and beyond.
Black Panther’s 2018 debut starring Boseman as the lead was undoubtedly a blockbusting, financial success. But more importantly, Panther was instrumental in leaving us with the inspiring, newfound ideology that a major motion picture starring a majority Black cast can succeed globally in any market. This managed to step up to the plate and hit a long overdue grand slam for the underrepresented. With Boseman rounding those same successful bases starring as Jackie Robinson in 42, he already set up the foundation by receiving the well-deserved acclaim of a polished, seasoned, and heroic thespian whose broad range of talent spoke for itself.
Chadwick’s burgeoning acting career spanned for close to two decades. Notably, portraying legendary figures such as James Brown in Get on Up and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall also helped pave the way to more roles greatly significant to the Black experience. The physical existence may have ended Chadwick, but the sun has not set on the gifts you have provided for the present and future aspiring minority actors and filmmakers who have been systematically under the radar for way too long.
So, the challenge is now ahead of us; it is now time to unearth our next deserving actor to admirably fulfill this void that has unexpectedly been cast upon us. To those ambitious and already well-established artists on the scene, fearlessly step into the spotlight that Bosman has been left for you to shine in.
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