MCU: 10 Real World Issues Addressed In Marvel Films

2. Black Panther: Isolationism And Privilege

Black Panther Killmonger Death
Marvel

Not only is Black Panther a landmark film in its Africa-centric majority black cast, but it also put forward a deeply aware and thoughtful look at the world today and how the suffering of others can't be ignored, especially when you come from a place of privilege.

Where most African-majority films address the disenfranchisement of its black characters, Black Panther casts Wakanda as a world power whose sense of responsibility to the world is lacking, with their choice to avoid the world's issues and close their borders resulting in what was almost their demise at the hands of Killmonger - a direct victim of their apathy.

This plays into the concept of privilege, and how restricting privilege and power turns people like Killmonger desperate, causing coups and uprisings against a selfish authority.

Beyond Killmonger, however, Nakia presents the most prominently correct view of Wakanda's isolationism: their refusal to help simply cannot be sustained in a globalised society, and ignoring the suffering of others because of tradition is a selfish and stagnant way to live.

Between her, T'Challa, and Killmonger, Black Panther presents a very nuanced discussion on such issues, rarely seen in mainstream films.

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Writer, artist, professional animator. Indie comics and Hi Nay podcast creator. Queer Filipino storyteller || @MotzieD on Twitter || Originally from Quezon City, The Philippines. Currently based in Toronto, Canada || motziedapul.com || hinaypod.com