Historical Context
From the 15th-20th century, European powers colonised African countries and exploited the continent for its resources and people. During the early 20th century African Americans attempted to establish a new black cultural identity with movements such as the Harlem Renaissance. The Black Panther Party (October 1966-1982) was a political activist group established initially to provide armed monitoring of police behaviour in the US.
Cultural Context
The Sci-Fi and Superhero genres have traditionally been dominated by white, male characters. In the 1990s, Will Smith and Wesley Snipes did break ground playing black characters. Although, superhero films rarely feature African American actors in lead roles. Black cinema has traditionally consisted of issues-based social realism (e.g Spike Lee's films). Blade (1998) is one of the few superhero films to have a black main character. US/European news media tends to portray Africa as under privileged, developing continent focusing on civil wars, famine and wars.
Afro Futurism and Black Futurism
Afro futurism is a literary and musical movement that explores black literary and musical movement that explores black identity, culture and struggles. Black Panther is directly related to this movement as it reveals a black leaders role in a world largely controlled by white dominated power structures.
Economic and Political Context
Barack Obama (2009-2017), America's first African American president created initiatives that supported minority groups. Worrying statistics about the amount of unarmed people of colour shot by US police lead to the #blacklivesmatter.
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