The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes strength as the capacity for exertion and endurance. Throughout history, women have proven capable of great fits that require much strength. The most incredible one is the ability to create life in their wombs. It has been termed the quiet heroism of childbirth (Clifford and Seidman 10). This alone is a testament to how incredible women are. The strength of a woman is often underestimated, yet it is undeniable. A woman can be strong in many ways: emotionally, mentally, physically, and with identity. Mental strength refers to the ability of women to be creative and quick when coming up with solutions to a problem. They focus on getting things done the right way and to their satisfaction. Identity strength allows them to maintain their values no matter their situation. This allows them to maintain a strong understanding of their individuality. Emotional strength focuses on understanding their emotions and those of others and how to cope with them. Through this, women can identify the emotional consequences of a situation and hence be better equipped to make sound decisions.
Women can be strong in their convictions and values; they can take on challenges that many men wouldn’t dare to attempt. They can be leaders, mentors, and role models. They have the power to nurture, inspire, and create. Their strengths are invaluable assets to any team, any family, and any society.
Jane Thompson, in her book Learning Liberation, says that “a strong woman is a woman who is straining, a strong woman is a woman standing on tiptoe and lifting a barbell.” This statement can be used to describe the emotional, mental and physical turmoil that makes women strong and forces them to be reckoned with. Women have cemented their position in today’s society and have proven over and over that they have an equal voice in matters of the economy and governance of giant corporations and even states.
Due to the hard work and dedication of those who have come before, the fight for gender equality has been a long and arduous one, but it has seen many victories over the years. Women now have greater access to education, employment opportunities, and rights and are increasingly seen as equals to their male counterparts. This has allowed them to rise in their chosen fields and make a name for themselves, and in some cases, break through the glass ceiling. Women have proven that they can lead, succeed, and make a difference in the world. For example, the majority of leaders have always been men throughout history, but in today’s society, we have at least 26 women serving as heads of state as of September 2021, according to a report by the United Nations UN Women division. This shows a revolution of ideas regarding women and what they can and cannot do in the modern world.
Further examination of Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther” (2018), from Marvel Studios and written and produced by him, shows feminist slants that offer a powerful example of feminism in film. The movie features strong female characters like Shuri, Nakia, and Okoye, who challenge traditional gender roles and lead their storylines. These characters are confident, independent, and highly capable, and they demonstrate the power of women in Wakanda. They are also portrayed as equals to their male counterparts, showing that gender equality is achievable and should be celebrated. The movie also highlights the importance of self-determination and the ability of women to make their own decisions. Together, these themes create a powerful message of empowerment for viewers.
The movie takes us to Wakanda, a country in Africa that the outside world considers to be in the Third World. Wakanda is highly rich in vibranium, a rare and precious substance that the rest of the world is unaware of. Their access to an abundance of extraterrestrial metal has allowed them to advance more quickly than any other country on earth in the realms of science, medicine, and the military. The Black Panther is born as a result of this and the heart-shaped plant.
The honor of being the Black Panther is bestowed on the leader and protector of Wakanda. The Black Panther is the monarch and protector of Wakanda, a fictional African nation in the Marvel Comics Universe. The Black Panther is charged with protecting Wakanda from external and internal threats. The Black Panther is also responsible for maintaining Wakanda’s political, economic, and social stability. The Black Panther works with the Dora Milaje, an elite group of female warriors, to protect Wakanda from harm. The Black Panther is also responsible for leading Wakanda’s technological advancement, supervising its military, and protecting its borders. T’Challa is next in line after the untimely death of his father, and although he understands his responsibility, he seems unsure of himself at first.
The story goes on to show the young king’s struggles to unite the tribes of Wakanda and at the same time facing a threat from beyond their borders. His long-lost cousin has come back with a claim to the throne and the dispute can only be settled with a duel that T’Challa loses. As the plot unfolds, the one very clear thing is the roles taken by the female characters. The women in this film play a key part in the development of the story as they are actively involved in the governance of Wakanda.
Okoye, played by Danai Gurira, is the leader of the Dora Milaje an all-female security team. There’s Shuri, T’Challa’s sister who is the smartest person in the country and has spearheaded Wakanda’s technological advancements. She’s also behind the design of the black panther suit. Another female character with an important role is Nakia played by Lupita Nyong’o who is a spy and spends most of her time outside Wakanda. There’s also the queen mother played by Angella Bassett. Throughout the movie, these women are used as a representation of the important roles that women play in the Wakandan community. They are decisive, brave, and brilliant (Valerie Estelle Frankel, 30). They are treated with the same respect as men and I would dare even say some are given more respect such as the Dora Milaje.
This blockbuster has been argued to be culturally significant for black communities worldwide because it has introduced diversity in terms of the stories typically projected by Hollywood and because it positively portrays black culture. Marvel Studios, a division of Walt Disney Studios, which are both significant participants in the Hollywood film business, created Black Panther. More importantly, the portrayal of black women in the movie is one of strength, courage, and intelligence. All three of these characters are powerful and skilled in their own right, and they demonstrate that black women can be just as strong and capable as men. They are also loyal, brave, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect their home and their people. This has been hailed as amazing
Applying womanism makes it possible to determine whether Black Panther reflects women’s lived experiences or conforms to heteronormative depictions of them. This makes it possible to recognize the kind of political discourses that are present and determine whether or not they empower women. Hollywood movies frequently obliterate women’s tales, especially those of black women. Analysis of Black Panther’s narratives about black women and black culture, as well as the visuals it presents, is crucial.
This paper aims to provide a close reading of Black Panther to illustrate feminism. Black Panther which features an almost all-black ensemble, has been called a “feminist” movie. By making an in-depth analysis of our main female characters, I will be able to show how the feminist theory was uniquely applied in this film. We begin with Okoye. She is the leader of the Dora Milaje as she can be seen in one of the scenes giving orders to have Nakia escorted to the river province for the ceremony (Black Panther 00:14:06- 00:14:10). Okoye is portrayed as a very lethal soldier as can be seen in the fight scene in the casino. She is also T’Challa’s bodyguard and takes her duties very seriously. Her loyalty to T’Challa which translates to loyalty to the throne (Black Panther 01:23:19 /01:54:39) shows great power and resilience which has contributed to Wakanda’s survival (Frings 12).
In the struggle against Killmonger, where W’Kabi eventually kneels and surrenders, she demonstrates her physical prowess and power. W’Kabi’s resignation demonstrates the power of women because, even before he falls to his knees, all three of them are engulfed in a brawl as the fight is accompanied by music from their own culture. W’Kabi only concedes the fight after kneeling in front of Okoye. (Black Panther 01:52:22- 01:55:10).
Okoye also portrays another kind of strength of resisting the norms based on what she believes in. This is seen when she turns against killmonger who has won her sworn loyalty by taking the throne. Despite being bound by duty, she believes he is not the rightful heir to the throne and even goes to the point of engaging in combat with her husband who leads an attack in support of killmonger. She 3blatantly says she has no problem killing her husband for the good of Wakanda. This shows her independence and singularity in decision-making. Although she is informed of her own cultural identity she is not “solely” controlled by it (Valerie Estelle Frankel, 16).
Aside from her sense of duties, Okoye and her sisters in arms, also have a friendly rapport with their king, which to some extent could be described as childish. This is evident during their first mission when Okoye tells T’Challa not to freeze up when he spots Nakia. Later on, Ayo, a member of the Dora Milaje, amusedly reports that he froze up like an antelope in headlights. This shows that their loyalty and respect are two-way and are offered by choice instead of forced submission and respect just because they are women and he is a man.
Another independent character is Nakia. She is Black Panther’s ex-girlfriend and also a spy for Wakanda. Her time beyond the borders of her country has made her realize the oppression of her people in other countries and she tries to be an advocate for change. Unlike in the majority of movies where her role as the hero’s girlfriend would have just reduced her to just a love interest, she is a complex character forging her path away from the significant man in her life. Nakia proves to be a skilled warrior but also compassionate. She is portrayed as having empathy which is an emotion mainly attributed to women (Abe et al. 7) but also as a warrior, which is a trait mainly used to describe men. This shows the independence and complexity of her character and that she does not need a prince in shining armor, or this case a black panther suit, to always protect her.
This is again illustrated when she says that her duties to serve Wakanda come before her desire to be queen. T’Challa tells her she would make a great queen if she were not that stubborn. She responds by saying she would make a great queen because she is stubborn. T’Challa realizes that her mission means far more to her than being queen and respects her decision as opposed to traditional settings where women had to fulfill their duty by getting married.
Nakia is also used to show the influence that women have in the governance of Wakanda. In the end, the new King can be seen changing one of Wakanda’s oldest policies. He offers to join her cause to help in solving the humanitarian crisis the world faces and share Wakanda’s resources. He does this to keep her around as he knows he needs her and he is finally convinced it is the right thing to do. The black panther realizes Nakia’s independence and that she is not bound to him. He then opts to help her in her journey as he respects her decision. This helps diminish the idea that women have to subsume their goals for their men. This in itself is a strength to be able to break from the paradigms of society (Valerie Estelle Frankel, 28).
Another leading female character is princess Shuri. She has often been described as the Q, James Bond’s inventor, of her brother in numerous articles (Valerie Estelle Frankel 29). Not only is she the smartest in the realm(Silverstein) but also the second in line. In a scene, she jokes about her corset and that maybe she could take on her brother for the throne. The laughter from the tribe leaders could suggest the disbelief that the king’s sister would challenge him rather than dismiss her because she is a woman. From this, it is evident that the people of Wakanda have no problem with women being in power. Instead of women always serving men, it incites the conversation that women equally deserve leadership positions in society.
Shuri is the mastermind behind the fits of technological advancements in Wakanda. She is also behind her brother’s fight strategy. Due to her upbeat character, most movies would use the role as comic relief as she can be seen teasing her brother occasionally. Instead her genius was the focus of her character proving that superpowers are not just about brute force (Silverstein). Being a young woman who has achieved great things, she was an immediate inspiration to the younger generation, especially young girls. She represents what women are capable of in a just world where they are accorded equal treatment and opportunities. Shuri is also depicted as a warrior, instead of a posh princess as she decides to accompany her brother into war. This character mainly speaks to the younger generation that it is perfectly fine to be young and ambitious.
Last but not least, we look at the queen mother. The Queen Mother of Wakanda, Ramonda, is portrayed by Angela Bassett in the 2018 Marvel movie Black Panther. She is the mother of T’Challa and Shuri, the King and Princess of Wakanda, respectively. Her role in the movie is to provide counsel and wisdom to her son as he rules Wakanda and deals with the outside world. She also serves as a reminder of the traditions and culture of Wakanda, a nation steeped in mystery and magic. Irrespective of her role as queen, Ramonda is always beside her children performing her motherly duties as well. She can juggle between being queen and being there for her children. She reassures her son that he will make a great king and shares her knowledge of how to rule. I would term this as a strength since a majority of mothers struggle with this every day and don’t get the recognition they deserve. Women are constantly trying to find the balance between their personal lives, work, and maintaining the family (Wilton and Ross 66).
Besides being dignified, she knew how to work behind the scenes to protect her family and lead a coup. She led her small family to the ape people in an attempt to keep them safe. After losing to killmonger she saves her son using the heart-shaped herb. This can be described as T’Challa’s second birth and therefore Ramonda performed her maternal duties by giving him new life when she brought him back. A female character saving a male character is a rare occurrence. The queen mother, therefore, symbolized the strength of mothers and the lengths they would go to protect their families. It shows mothers are superheroes in their own right.
In conclusion, gender representation in film has changed dramatically over the years. In the early days of film, gender roles were often very traditional, with men typically portrayed as the heroic protagonist and women as the passive love interest. Today, however, gender roles are more complex and nuanced. Women are increasingly portrayed as strong and independent characters, while men are portrayed as more emotionally vulnerable and complex. Additionally, more diverse representations of gender, such as non-binary and transgender characters, are becoming increasingly common in film.
The attention to detail, development of characters, and clarity in which they were portrayed are what sets this movie apart from other feminist movies such as wonder woman. Despite this being the origin story of the black panther, a male antagonist, his whole life is centered around the women he is around. Okoye, Nakia, and Shuri are the ones in his ear helping make certain decisions and influencing him to make Wakanda a much better place. Their individuality and what they offer in some way is what makes the black panther as he cannot protect Wakanda on his own.
The usual Marvel marketing machine, a competent director, a strong cast, and a story that could please both the fans and the audience were just a few of the obvious elements and strategies that contributed to Black Panther’s success, both creatively and financially. It was challenging to foresee that this comic book movie may dare to become probably the most feminist example of its kind to date, especially with performers as great as Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and scene-stealer Letitia Wright. With very few exceptions, women have typically played the damsel in distress in these films, while black women have hardly ever had any prominent roles at all. Wakanda represents an ideal society in which men and women coexist peacefully and on an even playing field.
Works Cited
Abe, Keiko, et al. “Associations between Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, and Personality in Japanese Medical Students.” BMC Medical Education, vol. 18, no. 1, Mar. 2018, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1165-7.
Clifford, James, and Steven Seidman. The New Social Theory Reader. Routledge, 2020, p. 10.
Frings, Zeynep. “The Role of Women in Black Panther Movie – How Afrofuturism Interacts with Black Feminist Thoughts?” Www.grin.com, GRIN, 2022, www.grin.com/document/1184490.
Silverstein, Melissa. “Wakanda Forever: The Overt Feminism of ‘Black Panther.’” MarketWatch, Feb. 2018, www.marketwatch.com/story/the-overt-feminism-of-black-panther-2018-02-16.
Thompson, Jane L. Learning Liberation. Routledge, 2017, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315175164.
Valerie Estelle Frankel. Fourth Wave Feminism in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Mcfarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2019.
Wilton, Shauna, and Lynda Ross. “Flexibility, Sacrifice and Insecurity: A Canadian Study Assessing the Challenges of Balancing Work and Family in Academia.” Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, vol. 29, no. 1-2, Jan. 2017, p. 66, https://doi.org/10.1080/08952833.2016.1272663.
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