My Black is Beautiful! It’s A Family Affair-Movie Night with the Black Panther!

As we wrap up Black History Month I wanted to share a couple of photos my family took after watching The Black Panther Movie during opening weekend. It was truly a memorable experience! There were three generations that came together full of anticipation to witness a movie with a predominantly all black cast and written and directed by Ryan Coogler, an African-American screen writer and director.

When we first learned of the Black Panther coming to the big screen in 2017 we were elated, the anticipation and excitement grew exponentially as opening night came closer. Discussions on what we would wear and what family members were coming, seemed to frequent group text. In the end, we were 20 members strong, old and young, grandparents, and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, coming from across the country including Virginia, Washington and California to join together to experience this epic event. I can honestly say the experience was everything we hoped it would be and more! There was action, passion, innovation, super heroes, villains and breathtakingly beautiful black men and women who were strong, courageous, loyal and intelligent. There was also a great story line but perhaps most importantly, was the underlying message that rang clear and true, which proclaimed, “My Black is beautiful, my Black is strong, my Black is intelligent, my Black is fierce and my Black is enough!” Simply put my Black is enough!

For so long being black in America meant being one third of a human being and a second class citizen; undeserving of rights and in many instances even undeserving of life. Our culture was stripped away, our history erased, our language forbidden and families torn apart but time and time again our resilience has overpowered adversity and our greatness has carried us over the obstacles we’ve faced. It hasn’t been an easy road and there is still so much work to be done. My prayer is that we will continue to rise above the fray and that our truth, our power and our contributions to the world will continue to be recognized. I’m so grateful for this movie and what it represents. I may not know much but what I know for sure is that my black is beautiful!

Keep the faith!

Bermesola M Dyer