A review by muga
Why Wakanda Matters: What Black Panther Reveals About Psychology, Identity, and Communication by Sheena C. Howard

5.0

I RECEIVED A DIGITAL ARC FROM NETGALLEY.

This collection of essay was brilliant and insightful and fun at the same time. Written by professionals from various fields, this book tackles a variety of issues drawn from the black panther films and its impact on the people of African descent in the diaspora.
This book talks about the fantastical elements of black panther and what Wakanda represents for African people in the diaspora e.g. living in a world where there is no fear because of the color of your skin. There's also the discussion of the effects of media in shaping the perceptions of who we are and how it is important for African people to see themselves on screen and not only that but portrayed in a complex manner without the usual stereotypes that we face.

The fluid nature of the Black identity is discussed and we are invited to take pride in our racial identity in all its forms without being boxed in by stereotypical notions of what the world sees us to be. discussions of intergenerational trauma are also talked about with reference to the source of killmonger's pain and the traumas that he had faced growing up as a Black child which led him to his aggression and bitterness which helps us identify with him and also sympathize with him but at the same time we are also given advice on how we can heal our trauma.

This book has the range I assure you from all the topics it talks about, the book introduced me to a lot of concepts about psychology that I had no Idea about and made me want to do more research, but also just seeing what the film meant to African Americans especially was so touching. As a continental African I had my own qualms with the film but those pale in comparison to now my understanding of the positive impact of the film.
This book is amazing 100% recommend.

thanks to netgalley for the ARC.