There are less than two weeks remaining before "Black Panther" hits theaters, and people are sharing their excitement on social media. Along with sharing their joy, fans are also expressing the importance of the flick with the viral hashtag #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe.
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On Tuesday, one tweep posed the question, “What does the Black Panther film mean to you?” Pretty soon, hundreds were replying with thoughtful answers and personal stories.
Several wrote about the significance of representation. They were thrilled that younger generations would have the opportunity to see themselves positively portrayed in cinema.
My seven year old grandson exclaimed "Superheroes can be Brown people too?! #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
— Sheel (@MzSheel) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe that seeing faces exactly like mine doesn’t have to be in a slave narrative. We can be raise our kids to see themselves as freaking superheroes ❤️
— trash panda✨ (@Nadia20) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe It means that my kids and young black kids everywhere will see themselves as heroes capable of leading their own narratives. #ReprsentationMatters
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe is change, inclusion, perspective, pride, black excellence and so much more. It is my heart. #RyanCoogler #representationmatters #chinchilla1970 #BlackPanther #productiondesign
— Hannah Beachler (@chinchilla1970) February 6, 2018
#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
— MSOSullivan (@BlyssfulStorm) February 6, 2018
When I saw the cast of women, all my complexion or darker, none sexualized or demonized because of it, and it wasn't a film about slavery or drug addiction, I cried.
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Others were happy to be exposed to African cultures and traditions not related to the traumas of slavery.
a film that connects black american and african cultures in ways that aren't all about trauma, conflict and slavery. #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
— marcussimmonscc (@marcussimmonscc) February 6, 2018
It's our chance to teach little Black children that:
— blackriver.life (@blackriverlife) February 6, 2018
-Our story isn't defined by slavery and pain
-It's okay to imagine yourself doing fantastical things
-Africa is beautiful#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
Finally seeing Africa depicted in a powerful and positive light, free from the effects of colonialism, with characters that look like me having motivations beyond the portrayal of “black pain” on screen.#WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe pic.twitter.com/nTEFHQM279
— Andrien Gbinigie (@EscoBlades) February 6, 2018
Black Panther is political. IDC. It's not just a movie to me. It's Black AF from director to the actors to the Afro-futurism all up and thru it. In a time where you feel hated just for existing, it means a lot to see Blackness celebrated like this. #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
— Knockout Ned 👊🏾🥋 (@DJTreG) February 6, 2018
» RELATED: Black Twitter can't stop raving about L.A. 'Black Panther’ premiere
And a few chimed in to praise to the moving responses they were seeing.
Responses to #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe have me tearing up. The importance of this film cannot be understated. #BlackPanther pic.twitter.com/EaNReNzxsN
— April (@ReignOfApril) February 6, 2018
Me reading all the tweets on #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe
— ❤️FromShan (@shanshiku) February 6, 2018
I will cry when I go and see the film 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/xwnzjMnXIz
Love reading the #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe tweets. That's all.
— Audrey Cleo (@audreycleo) February 6, 2018
Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita N’yongo and a host of others, the Ryan Coogler-directed movie follows Black Panther, or T’Challa, as he returns home to his African nation of Wakanda to reclaim his throne. It’s out Feb. 16.
» RELATED: #BlackPantherChallenge sends internet into frenzy
