annieb123's review
5.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Why Wakanda Matters is a collection of essays by several different contributors on the psychology and cultural impact of Black Panther edited by Dr. Sheena C. Howard. Due out 2nd Feb 2021 from BenBella Books, it's 288 pages (print edition) and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
I've been a comics/speculative fiction/SF/fantasy nerd my whole life (literally, my dad was also a comics fan, and my grandfather taught himself English by reading comics). I've enjoyed seeing the massive commercial success of many comics franchises in film and television and the serious consideration of comics and graphic novels as valid vehicles for profound and relevant storytelling. That is one reason this collection really appealed to me. These essays are from recognized professionals analyzing the psychology and cultural relevance of Black Panther and how it dovetails with the modern African American diaspora.
The essays are grouped roughly thematically: collective identity and connectedness, racial identity, intergenerational trauma and resistance, and cognition and identification. The essays themselves are written in layman accessible language with an academic slant. I often found myself challenged and moved while reading. It certainly gave me a lot to think about. The chapters are extensively annotated and the referenced materials will give keen readers a lot of directions for further reading.
Five stars, I think this is an *important* and relevant book. This would be a superlative choice for classroom use/lecture/ or support material for race/gender studies, sociology, media, psychology, communication, film/literature, and allied subjects. It would also be a great choice for library acquisition, home library, or gifting. Well written.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Why Wakanda Matters is a collection of essays by several different contributors on the psychology and cultural impact of Black Panther edited by Dr. Sheena C. Howard. Due out 2nd Feb 2021 from BenBella Books, it's 288 pages (print edition) and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
I've been a comics/speculative fiction/SF/fantasy nerd my whole life (literally, my dad was also a comics fan, and my grandfather taught himself English by reading comics). I've enjoyed seeing the massive commercial success of many comics franchises in film and television and the serious consideration of comics and graphic novels as valid vehicles for profound and relevant storytelling. That is one reason this collection really appealed to me. These essays are from recognized professionals analyzing the psychology and cultural relevance of Black Panther and how it dovetails with the modern African American diaspora.
The essays are grouped roughly thematically: collective identity and connectedness, racial identity, intergenerational trauma and resistance, and cognition and identification. The essays themselves are written in layman accessible language with an academic slant. I often found myself challenged and moved while reading. It certainly gave me a lot to think about. The chapters are extensively annotated and the referenced materials will give keen readers a lot of directions for further reading.
Five stars, I think this is an *important* and relevant book. This would be a superlative choice for classroom use/lecture/ or support material for race/gender studies, sociology, media, psychology, communication, film/literature, and allied subjects. It would also be a great choice for library acquisition, home library, or gifting. Well written.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
oliviak07's review
4.0
A single epiphany in Phillip Boutte Jr.'s forward, in Howard's "Why Wakanda Matters: What Black Panther Reveals About Psychology, Identity, and Communication", perfectly spoils the reaction most readers will experience throughout and at the conclusion the collection of essays: "I am firmly convinced that people must be able to 'feel' in order to change," (xx) .
One must not, and cannot, be passive while immersed in the topics covered throughout the fourteen chapters. While each of the four parts and their collection of chapters offered to challenge and expand my own environment and perspective, it was parts three (Psychology of Intergenerational Trauma and Resistance) and four (Psychology of Cognition and Identification) that struck my chords as a future educator and growing advocate. Additionally, the brilliance of how the various authors of each part cast light upon the individual (of any gender and background) and how it can compete with/complete the collective cannot and should not be ignored.
I have never taken a psychology course in my long academic career, nor one on identity. However, my experience with the inspiration for and influence of communications and the media has assured me of how powerful it is on those who consume it. While diversity and inclusion are on the rise in media, the journey cannot end here.
There is just too much as stake to become comfortable with the bare minimum when it comes to representation. My hope is that those who come across this book will walk away humbled and brave enough to know where they have erred, and then turn the past into the very fuel that ensures the pride and love of Wakanda is never viewed as purely fictional.
One must not, and cannot, be passive while immersed in the topics covered throughout the fourteen chapters. While each of the four parts and their collection of chapters offered to challenge and expand my own environment and perspective, it was parts three (Psychology of Intergenerational Trauma and Resistance) and four (Psychology of Cognition and Identification) that struck my chords as a future educator and growing advocate. Additionally, the brilliance of how the various authors of each part cast light upon the individual (of any gender and background) and how it can compete with/complete the collective cannot and should not be ignored.
I have never taken a psychology course in my long academic career, nor one on identity. However, my experience with the inspiration for and influence of communications and the media has assured me of how powerful it is on those who consume it. While diversity and inclusion are on the rise in media, the journey cannot end here.
There is just too much as stake to become comfortable with the bare minimum when it comes to representation. My hope is that those who come across this book will walk away humbled and brave enough to know where they have erred, and then turn the past into the very fuel that ensures the pride and love of Wakanda is never viewed as purely fictional.
macfiar's review
5.0
I loved seeing different authors essays on the subject. This is a thought provoking, frustrating and enlightening book. Anyone who cares about the BLM movement should read this.
whatchareadingheather's review
5.0
*listened on audiobook* This book was just so wonderfully done on so many aspects. It had wonderful research and insight. It had great personal stories. It included discussions that were not all praise, which I enjoy because I like to hear from all sides when it comes to sociology, psychology, etc. related topics. I think every single comic book fan should read this book, especially those that don't understand why diversifying the comic book industry is a much-needed step for modern society and future generations.
senevilla's review
5.0
Often repetitive since it’s a collection of essays and each one sets the background info needed, but overall it’s a great analysis of why representation matters and a deep dive into different interpretations of the movie.
jenno's review
I'm going to buy this because I need to read it in print. Listening to it was good but I feel like this should be my coffee table book that I should reread a chapter from now and then.
Even though I'm not American, have children or black. I'm a brown childless Swede that still find more characters to connect with in Black Panther than many other films. And found the discussion in this to be very interesting.
Even though I'm not American, have children or black. I'm a brown childless Swede that still find more characters to connect with in Black Panther than many other films. And found the discussion in this to be very interesting.
hannah_bierbaum's review
5.0
This book is the perfect marriage of the fictional world of Wakanda and our very real world of racial identity, colonialism, historical trauma, and representation in mass media. While I've seen all the Marvel Avengers films, none have the emotional depth of Black Panther and this book does an excellent job of not only expanding understanding of the film itself, but also helping readers make connections to real life in an effort to heal racial tensions and promote racial understanding. I truly felt that I came away with better understanding of psychology and communication concepts I was familiar with, but hadn't truly grasped until now (like cognitive dissonance, black excellence, and social identity). Though text itself was quite dense at times, I still found this book very accessible and I can easily see my high school students picking it up to take a deeper dive into one of their favorite fictional worlds while gaining a better understanding of our real world.