Superheroes And Civil Rights: We're Shining A Spotlight On The History Of Black People

• Published date: 09 October 2020
• Subject Matter: Government, Public Sector, Human Rights
• Law Firm: Withers LLP
• Author: Mr Richard Walker

October is Black History Month in the UK and here at Withers we're shining a spotlight on some key people throughout the month.

The US celebrated Black History Month in February and in solidarity with their observances I'd like to kick off UK Black History Month by raising awareness of the life and recent, and untimely death, of US actor Chadwick Boseman.

Black Panther and Black Lives Matter

Black Panther' costumer didn't like outfit until Chadwick Boseman tried it – Insider Chadwick's legacy (forgive the 'succession lawyer' plug) is special during this month.

Yes, he was black. He also played the title role in the Marvel box office smash 'Black Panther'. The movie met with critical acclaim, won numerous awards and is the first superhero movie to be nominated for a best picture Oscar.

Stan Lee and Josh Kirby created Black Panther, the character in 1966. He is the first mainstream black superhero. Although not necessarily a political reaction to it, the character was born against the backdrop of the civil rights movement and the black power movement. Movements railing against racial segregation, discrimination and police brutality. These issues, which still underlie 'modern' society, have again come to the fore with recent televised police brutality in the US. These events have led to various politically inspired organizations, but importantly one movement with one message: Black Lives Matter. For some, it is helpful to add the word 'too'.

Superheroes can be black too

Black History Month means many things to many people, but one thing is clear, it's supposed to be about the history of black people. There may still be lots to do before black history matters equally as much as the history we've been taught in our schools, but thanks to people like Chadwick Boseman, black children, indeed all children, know superheroes can be black too and not just sidekicks. They know a black nation can be technically advanced and free of colonialization: #WakandaForever. They will see that black actors can play the protagonist in movies with a predominantly black cast, black writers and directors even when the movie is not strictly about race issues. They (and movie studios) now know that these ingredients can still lead to major...