WORLD According to Mark

The BBC News had a huge write up recently, detailing the success of the new movie “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Many of you already know that I am a science fiction fan, and I like these superhero movies, too. They tell a great story, they teach a lot of lessons, and they’re just fun to partake in. But the BBC News article spent a lot of time discussing this from an angle of race… And how “Black and Brown” lead starts typically don’t drive the crowds like others do.

You know, I really never thought about it until I read the article. I read the history shared in the article. I spent some time and did some extra research, and still kept asking the question “Why does race matter? What does it matter in how good a movie may or may not be?” And here is where I had to just admit that when it comes to these things, I have absolutely no idea. I really don’t.

But I’ve watched a number of actors who were not “white” carry star power through my years growing up. Jet Li, Tony Jaa, Jackie Chan, Wesley Snipes, Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Sinbad, Mister T, James Earl Jones, Lavar Burton, Rosalind Chao, Eddy Murphy, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas… The list goes on and on and on, and all of those actors and or actresses are what I would call “Big Names” in Hollywood and have been since before the 1990s.

If you went to a restaurant, and the food was amazing… You would be grateful to the cook or chef, right? Or if you went to a tailor and your suit or dress was impeccable, you’d be grateful to the tailor, right? Or if you got your car fixed, and the repair was done right, and on or under budget, you’d be happy? I could cite example after example… But if the person does the job in good way, what does the rest matter?

I know that some of my approaches and attitudes are unorthodox. And I know I tend towards being a little naive… And a few of my friends are quick to point out that maybe I haven’t had the same experiences as they have, or have not had the chance to witness or be part of what happens in other parts of the nation, or the world. And they are right. But I can hope. And I can lead by example. And I can make effort to do better than others are or have, and not let these things be of any consequence whatsoever.

By Mark Tobola