The Legacy of Chadwick Boseman

​By: Kiana Maria

On August 28th, the world lost a king. Chadwick Boseman, a beloved actor, died due to his long fight with Colon Cancer. From Hollywood to a sixteen-year-old girl poet in New Jersey, the world felt the pain of losing him. Whether you saw him first in Black Panther, or you knew of him when he played Jackie Robinson in 42, Chadwick was a man of many talents. His acting told stories that needed to be shared with the world. Even though he is gone, his presence will always remain in our hearts.

Chadwick Aaron Boseman was born in 1976 in South Carolina. He soon attended Howard University and the British American Drama Academy. In the 2000’s he made a name for himself on television shows such as CSI: NY and All My Children. He soon received a recurring role on ABC’s Lincoln Heights. Later on, he even starred in hit blockbusters such as 42, Black Panther, 21 Bridges, and Get on Up. He even played the Black Panther in many other Marvel films besides his own. His work and dedication to the arts will remain in both American and Hollywood history.
Even though he was a huge movie star, he still took the time to give back to the community. His fight with Colon Cancer was private with the world for four years. During that time he shot movies, attended big events, but managed to make time to visit children with cancer in hospitals. He went to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee two years ago. He not only brought toys but even his smile to make the children feel better. Chadwick met with them right before the arrival of Black Panther, Marvel’s first African American superhero debut film. He explained on a SiriusXM Interview an encounter with two boys from the hospital who anticipated the film. He stated, “Just to experience those two little boys' anticipation of this movie,” ... “Yeah. It means a lot." (Acevedo) It was soon revealed that the boys he spoke about died from Cancer before the movie was released. He inspired so many young children, and he became the first superhero that many children can identify with who hadn’t before.

As mentioned before, one of his most talked-about films is Black Panther. There is no doubt that his co-stars were hit in hard ways when they heard the loss of their friend and colleague. Michael B. Jordan, who played his long lost cousin in Black Panther stated in an Instagram post, “One of the last times we spoke, you said we were forever linked, and now the truth of that means more to me than ever. Since nearly the beginning of my career, starting with All My Children when I was 16 years old you paved the way for me. You showed me how to be better, honor purpose, and create a legacy. And whether you’ve known it or not…I’ve been watching, learning, and constantly motivated by your greatness.” … “I wish we had more time.” He left a huge impact on everyone in this world, and it will be hard to not be able to see him in more films.

Chadwick Aaron Boseman was a man who changed the story in Hollywood history. Between taking on huge pop culture characters such as Jackie Robinson and James Brown to being Marvel’s first African American superhero, he will be unforgettable. Chadwick, you gave little girls and boys a superhero that looks like them, and that has been a debt owed by Hollywood for too long. May a man of his stature rest in peace and power.

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Sources:

Acevedo, Nicole. “Chadwick Boseman Visited Children with Cancer While Waging Private Battle with the Disease.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 29 Aug. 2020,
www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/chadwick-boseman-visited-children-cancer-while-waging-private-battle-disease-n1238798.
“Chadwick Boseman.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 31 Aug. 2020, www.biography.com/actor/chadwick-boseman.