“The Wakandans used vibranium to develop technology more advanced than any other nation. But as Wakanda thrived, the world around it descended further into chaos. To keep vibranium safe, the Wakandans vowed to hide in plain sight, keeping the truth of their power from the outside world.”
Young Killmonger said, “And we still hide, Baba?” N’Jobu replied, “Yes.” “Why?” said Young Killmonger. Colonization has created an influence on what countries will receive but also what they will not, which has led to slow economic and cultural growth within cultures. The economic system of a dependent country had many adverse effects once colonialism occurred. The colonizer country will take and overrule the resources that the dependent country has, including its natural resources and agriculture. Over time, the colonizer’s economy was utterly reliant on the colonizer’s economy.
“Black Panther” may seem like another Marvel movie, but if you look closely enough, you’ll see that it explores colonialism through the whole foundation of Wakanda. Wakanda itself serves as a thought experiment of an African nation untouched by colonialism. Its advanced technology, cultural traditions, and political sovereignty show the audience a glimpse of an alternate version of Africa’s development without European intervention. Wakanda’s visual design blends futuristic elements with traditional African aesthetics. For example, their whole world is hidden from the outside, so everyone believes that they are a poor country. They have seen what Europeanism has done to their people worldwide and choose to stay hidden.
The movie shows the impact of colonialism through an imaginary African world without colonial oppression. Wakanda strives to obtain their way of living. They have hidden all of their resources from the outside world for years. Wakanda knew the consequences of letting other countries in on their help, “If we bring them in, then they will solve all of their problems as well.” Wakanda represents Africa and its whole glory. Wakanda is a technologically advanced society that has never been conquered. In some ways, the writer shows what Africa could have been without colonialism. In a way, black Panther is teaching viewers that modernization during colonialism had ruined their sense of culture and it would have been a better Africa if it hadn’t occurred.
The main antagonist, Killmonger, embodies the devastating legacy of colonialism. He is represented as an African-American displaced from Wakanda. His character specially represents the descendants of those who were taken from Africa during the slave trade. His motivation to take over Wakanda stems from the historical trauma of colonialism and his desire to use Wakanda resources to empower oppressed people globally. “Why, so you can lock me up? Nah. Just bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, ‘cause they knew death was better than bondage,” he says.
The film criticizes both isolation and intervention as responses to colonialism. While Wakandas isolation protected it from colonization, the film questions whether this came at the cost of abandoning other African nations and peoples to colonial exploitation. Through Tachallas’s character- it argues for a middle path in order to do things right. One that maintains sovereignty while using resources and power to help others affected by colonialism’s legacy.
The museum scene early in the film directly addresses the colonial theft of African artifacts. Killmonger points out how European museums acquired their African collections through colonial looting. Killmonger even looks at her and says, “I don’t know you tell me you the expert,” which symbolizes how Europeans thought their way of living was superior which is why they colonized in the first place.
The ending scene where T’Challa opens Wakandas’ strength to the world suggests a way forward that acknowledges colonial history while working to address its ongoing impacts. Colonial powers caused the problem by creating a global structure that encouraged wealthier countries to extract natural resources from poor countries while destabilizing sustainable native cultures. Sadly, many cultures and traditions have been erased through time by the actions of colonialism. The events should be a reminder and a warning to people around today. It should encourage our world to face the fact of how colonialism has altered the outcome of life, culture, and language itself.
