9 minute read
REMEMBERING CHADWICK
REMEMBERINGCHADWICK BOSEMAN– A SUPERHERO
By Lynda Louise Burrell, Creative Director, Museumand, The National Caribbean Heritage Museum ‘Chadwick Boseman’s
One piece of the amazing legacy that Chadwick Boseman who played the powerful warrior in the Black Panther movie has left us is a piece of advice. He While the world was working hard to grapple with the virus, Black people were given another blow. Black lives were being cut short. Not only by the disproportionate impact of the virus on Black work opened doors for the Black community and his legacy provides powerful stories that urged us to “Seize the Day. Enjoy it.” From the day I heard it my life has taken on a special glow. I’ve grown in stature I’m sure, but one thing I know for certain is that my confidence has, without a shadow of a doubt. I’ve been able to look people in the eye and not be afraid. I’ve been able to look people in the eye and see them change. It’s as if they feel they have been recognised for the first time, that someone is really looking at them and seeing them and that makes me feel good because I’ve made a difference to someone’s day. That’s what Chadwick Boseman - the man, the actor, the director, the writer sought to do. He sought through his work and interaction with others to motivate and inspire, to present when his roles required a true picture of a people with a culture and roots based in Africa. He sought to make people feel good and he certainly did that for all ages since the release in 2018 of the film Black Panther in which he starred. 2020 was going to be another feel-good year and many were really looking forward to it. It was going to be a year loaded with significance. The start of a brand new decade. Most people were expecting momentous moments and positive changes alongside the usual highs and lows. After all, 2020 felt like a magic number, one that would ensure we got more of what we felt we deserved. We were not only going to seize the day, but the whole year.
Instead, what we got was a global pandemic that’s kept us on tenterhooks. Will we or won’t we catch the virus? Will our nearest and dearest be affected by it? Who have we been in contact with that could pass it on to us? The pandemic caused the anxiety level of many to shoot off the scale as they wondered just how long it was going to take to control the virus and bring things back to normal. Many felt they were certainly not in a position to seize the day, or anything else, while the virus was roaming unchecked.
Technology enabled us to work and play, even if Covid-19 meant we couldn’t get physically close to our family and friends. It enabled us to shop for essentials and support those facing difficulties during the weeks that dragged on and became months. It enabled scientists and medical professionals to work together, around the clock, to develop treatments and potential vaccines. And it gave us the opportunity to see and reach out to others around the world. communities, but by endemic systemic racism and most overtly, by the police. Racism took on a bold form, perpetrated by the very people that Black communities had a right to expect would protect them. The world watched in horror as technology captured despicable acts like the murder of George Floyd and shared them with the world. The video ignited an international eruption of protest and demands for justice – from all sectors of society. The names of Black men and women murdered or brutalised by the police was made public and widely commemorated. People took to the streets, as well as social media, to stand united, protest against these grave abuses of power, condemn the treatment of Black people and demand change. Technology is helping to keep the fight for justice alive. The speed of the digital world means the news of someone’s passing is communicated within moments –with eulogies and remembrances shared across social media. One such passing which rocked the world was the unexpected death of Chadwick Boseman. An American actor from South Carolina, Chadwick Boseman was known for his starring roles portraying pioneering Americans Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Thurgood Marshall. He won the hearts of young and old with his acclaimed performance as T’Challa in the film Black Panther, part of the Marvel cinematic universe. Chadwick Boseman debunked the myth that Black actors couldn’t sell internationally. His skill and talent extended beyond acting to being a writer, a director and a teacher of Black history. The result is a creative body of work that inspires adults, will be learned from and inspire millions, for generations to come.’
young people and children. It gives them all a reason to feel pride in themselves. To take on challenges. To see and understand the significance of history despite its many complexities. Chadwick Boseman’s work opened doors for the Black community and his legacy provides powerful stories that will be learned from and inspire millions, for generations to come. He encouraged viewers to use their imagination as the first step to achieving their goals. He did all this while privately suffering from cancer, without making it known publicly.
In our collective grief, let’s reflect on what
Chadwick Boseman has left for us. • The importance of having a big, all-encompassing vision. • Not being afraid to take on a challenge. • What can happen in a life that acknowledges the presence and the achievements of ancestors. • His commitment to culture and heritage in his work and how he used it to enrich his creativity and benefit so many others.
Chadwick Boseman has received many accolades in the tributes and testimonies to him. One in particular has resonated because it speaks so powerfully to the times we’re living through. Like him, we should aim to be “bridge builders”. He’s told us that’s possible because we stand on the shoulders of giants – our ancestors. Let’s honour him and do this. Now that he’s one of our ancestors too we know for sure that we can become superheroes in whatever situation we find ourselves in. Technology ensures we can listen again and again to his words, and continue to be inspired.
Chadwick Aaron Boseman, 29 Nov 1976 - 28 Aug 2020 (age 43)
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WILL 2020 BE THE YEAR THAT BLACK LIVES FINALLY MATTER IN FOOTBALL?
BY LEON MANN
Leon is Founder of Black Collective of Media in Sport and Co-Founder of the Football Black List
How will we reflect on 2020 in years to come? The coronavirus pandemic, tragic death of George Floyd and subsequent global protests will clearly define it - but I hope the year goes down in history as the period where we saw a significant shift in momentum towards achieving true racial equality.
As someone who has been campaigning against racism in football for 20 years, I do believe we are at a vital point in time for our national sport.
Footballers wearing the slogan Black Lives
Matter on their shirts, taking a knee before kick-off and many choosing to lift a clenched fist is something, I never thought I would see in my lifetime.
But the real test for football is away from the glare of the cameras and world-wide television audiences. It is in the boardrooms, dugouts, and all non-playing roles - even though a third of professional men’s footballers are Black.
The stats across the 92 professional men’s clubs reflect the challenge:
5 - Black managers 0 - Black Chief Executives 1 - Black British Chairman
The situation is stark and disturbingly the levels of underrepresentation have not changed for decades despite the huge contribution of Black players. So why do I believe there is a reason to be hopeful now? Firstly, the symbolic actions have led to a shift in tone, understanding and discussion around the lack of diversity in the game. A case in point is the England manager, Gareth Southgate, speaking openly this year about the “white privilege” that exists in football. Meanwhile, players like Raheem Sterling have continued to be vocal about challenging racism and even the white players are now finding the confidence to take more responsibility here.
However, there is no getting away from the fact that while words are powerful, we can only judge progress by the actions taken. This is where Paul Elliott, a former player and respected anti-racism campaigner, is leading the charge. He has been working with the Football Association to put in place a code that steers clubs to follow meaningful actions and work to targets.
Will the code work? How long will it take before we see its impact? What are the consequences if clubs do not follow the code? These are all questions that will be answered in time. But the advancements made this year have pushed the issue towards the top of the agenda.
In truth, the one action to force change is with the stars of the show - the players.
If they come together and demand change, things will move quickly. Player power is the ultimate game changer and I speak to enough footballers to know the levels of frustration are at a tipping point. Will we see a strike? Are players organising behind closed doors? Are they brave enough to confront their employers? Again, only time will tell.
I can certainly never recall a time like this. The energy for change is there and it will either be led by the authorities or the players. Something good can come from a year of pain and suffering. It is time to change the game and confine the depressing stats to the history books.
If Black Lives Matter to the football industry it is time for the actions to prove it, before the players lose patience and we see a very different show take centre stage.
