STEM Power & The Black Panther Movie
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Credit: Marvel Studios
The Black Panther movie was an awesome experience for myself and my family. The one thing that stood out was the characters’ strength and intelligence. The Black Panther is the story of a king of the most technologically advanced country in the world called Wakanda. Wakanda is a rich, fictional uncolonized African country. T’Challa, the Black Panther, is the richest superhero whose strength comes from his vibranium suit. Wakanda has most of the world’s reserves of Vibranium, the strong metal that encases Captain America’s famous shield. This is an important aspect of Afro-futurism which is the science fiction reflects the African diaspora. The connection between Black Panther and Marvel is clear in this movie.
Credit: Marvel Studios
The Dora Milaje (Wakandan women warriors) are the female warriors who protect the king and his family. They fight hard for the safety of their country. They are some bad ass women with full body armor, shaved heads, and face painting. They are one of the most skilled fighters in the Marvel Universe. They are true women soldiers who are not afraid of being on the frontline in action. Dora Milaje are respected women in the Wakandan society.
Shuri (Letitia Wright), T’challa’s sister was a princess and a genius. She is a brilliant, witty young scientist, with impeccable fashion sense. spunky attitude and wasn’t afraid to express her scientific intelligence. Most of Wakanda’s technology and weapons are created by Shuri, including the new nano-tech suit that T’Challa wears. She showed that women can be a dominant role in society without the dependence of men. Shuri will forever be our STEM princess and smartest person in the Marvel Universe. Thank you for featuring African scientists and badass Wakanda women. Little girls will now see the limitless career possibilities female and minorities can achieve in technology. They will grow up to become strong, powerful intelligent leaders, she-roes, and scientists.
Shuri was created by Ben Dunn in 2002 for Marvel Manaverse #2. She was also featured in Black Panther #2 (2005). by writer Reginald Hudlin and artist John Romita, Jr.,
These characters gained their incredible abilities through their mastery of science and technology. Marvel has shown several heroes conducting scientific research in their extravagant laboratories. It always lacked minority or female scientists. As a young girl, I was never exposed to African-American scientists on the big screen. This didn’t prevent me from being a Chemistry major and becoming a science educator. Black Panther’s characters can encourage students to major in computer science and engineering. T’challa shared Wakanda’s technology with the rest of the world. There was a great message of giving back to your community and helping those that are in need. Black Panther shows how science-fiction can encourage young people from black communities to pursue STEM careers.