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Are You Mad That Shuri Is The New Black Panther Because You’re Worried About Legacy, Or Is It Misogynoir?

In a recent statement, Marvel announced that they’ll begin shooting the second part of the MCU’s Black Panther next summer, and Shuri’s character (played by Letitia Wright) will be taking on a more significant role in the franchise, likely as the new Black Panther herself. 

Black Panther, 2018

Yes, Black Panther may be a Black woman, and bros, hoteps, plus misogynoirist men alike are in their feelings about it.

I initially tried to be patient about any scrutiny toward the announcement considering why the change is being made. Many of us are still coping with Chadwick Boseman’s tragic and untimely passing, myself included.

Then I read the complaints and realized that a lot of the upset is around Letitia or Shuri taking on the role and Black Panther no longer being a man. 

Countless men shared that they’d be O.K. with T'Challa’s son Azari stepping forward as his heir (Storm hasn’t even been introduced to the MCU, so the idea that T'Challa could’ve somehow met her and had a child who is now an adult between parts one and two is unrealistic.) or Erik Killmonger, the deceased character who nearly DESTROYED Wakanda, some even touted the idea that using a different man altogether, would be a better fit than the Princess of Wakanda and smartest character in the MCU. 

Is it always anyone but Black women?

It’s evident that their issue isn’t with the role being filled by another character, but that it may go to a Black woman specifically. 

Shuri #2, 2018

There’s been a lot of talk about “legacy” in the past year or so, usually framed within a patriarchal context, with a focus on a man’s acquisitions and his son’s inheritance, or the idea that as femmes, girls, and women, part of our life’s work is to protect and preserve the material “legacies” of men – even at our own expense. 

Black women and femmes are often excluded from discussions about legacy, reinforcing behaviors that ask us to spend our lifetime contributing to the legacies of others and doing the labor of building and protecting communities without benefiting from that work. Our so-called inheritance is immaterial, such as expressions of praise from those who consume our labor, frequently manifesting as compliments about how hard we work or how strong we are. A reminder that for many of you, Black women and girls are only your “KWEENS” and “princesses©” in performance. 

Black Panther, Shuri, 2018, Ken Lashley

Sometimes this looks like shaming us when we attempt to claim the fruits of our labor, asking for more, or being gifted an inheritance as beneficiaries of Black empowerment. I think that’s the case here; critics don’t want Shuri to be Black Panther because they don’t value or prioritize Black femme representation, and they don’t respect the contribution of Black women like Letitia Wright. 

Furthermore, you weirdos never want Black women to have anything ever, especially if we haven’t slaved for it. 

Shuri is the smartest character in the MCU. She innovates technology that protects her kingdom, is T'Chaka’s only daughter and rightful heir to the Wakandan throne. Shuri becoming the Black Panther is also canon in the comic book series. Why wouldn’t she be next in line as the Queen Of Wakanda? 

Many of those who cheered in support of Chadwick Boseman giving part of his salary from the film 21 Bridges to Sienna Miller are outraged by the thought of Letitia Wright playing Black Panther. (Interrogate why you feel this way,) why the thought of Chadwick wanting to pass the role to Letitia, a Black woman, is somehow too difficult to comprehend, despite his work and character showing that he cared deeply for the Black women he knew and worked with and would likely be in support of this change. 

Ask yourselves why you’re truly angry about a woman becoming the new Black Panther because Black femme empowerment isn’t what’s ruining Black image and legacy; your sexism and misogyny is.

EDIT: This was posted before Letitia made those Tweets. SMH, we were rooting for you.