While Wakanda Forever has been praised for its stunning visuals and impressive action sequences, some have criticized Wakanda Forever’s main contradiction: that instead of the people of Wakanda and the Talocan uniting against the common Coloniser threat, instead they end up fighting each other.
This contradiction is not only a narrative flaw but also a reflection of the real-world struggles faced by many post-colonial nations.
Historically, colonial governments employed divide and rule strategies to maintain control over the populations they conquered. One such strategy was British Indirect rule, which aimed to maintain power by dividing societies along ethnic and tribal lines.
By creating divisions within a society, colonial governments could more easily control and exploit the population.
In Wakanda Forever, we see a similar dynamic play out.
The Wakandan and Talocan nations, both victims of colonization and exploitation, find themselves at odds with each other instead of uniting against their common external threat.
This perpetuates the divide and rule strategies imposed by colonial governments and undermines the potential for true liberation and progress.
It is ironic that in a film that celebrates African excellence and power, the nations that should be united against a common threat are instead drawn into a needless and costly battle between each other. This narrative contradiction not only undermines the film’s message but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and divides within the African diaspora and highlights some of the problems and limitations with Afrofuturism as a protest medium.
However, Wakanda Forever does provide some redemption by showcasing strong female characters, such as the returning warrior Okoye and the new character of Queen Divine Justice, who serves as a powerful symbol of African femininity and strength.
Additionally, the film’s portrayal of African cultural traditions and symbolism is visually stunning and provides a much-needed representation of African cultures and practices in mainstream media.
But ultimately, the contradiction at the heart of the film undermines its message of unity and empowerment. It is a reminder that the legacies of Colonialism continue to impact societies today, and the struggle for true liberation and unity is ongoing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Wakanda Forever is a visually stunning and action-packed film that celebrates African excellence and cultural traditions. However, Wakanda Forver’s main contradiction, that the nations of Wakanda and Talocan fight each other instead of confronting the common threat, perpetuates the divide and rule strategies of colonial governments.
While the film’s strong female characters and cultural representation provide some redemption, it is important to acknowledge and address the narrative flaws that undermine Wakanda Forever’s message of unity and empowerment in the same manner we should question whether Killmonger is really a villain in the first Black Panther movie.
