Parents Struggle to Talk about 'Black Panther' Star Chadwick Boseman's Death with Their Kids
Many children idolized Black Panther and the death of Chadwick Boseman, who played the iconic superhero, has left parents finding it hard to reveal the sad news to their kids.
It is no longer news that the grand actor, Chadwick Boseman, who symbolized a long-held fantasy of many African-American filmgoers as the idol of the outstanding heroic movie "Black Panther," is dead.
On Friday, August 28, Boseman died after battling colon cancer for four years at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 43.
Chadwick Boseman attends the 2018 ESPYS on July 18, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. | Photo: Getty Images
Parents have been struggling to keep up with the pandemic that has struck the world. The number of kids' favorite black heroes who have lost their lives in a row in this period is also saddening.
In an Instagram post shared by Complex, there were two pictures of kids crying after learning of Boseman's death. A heartbreaking image showed a young boy sitting by his Black Panther toys and crying as he made the "Wakanda forever" pose. The post was captioned,
"Your legacy is eternal. ?? #ChadwickForever."
It now seems like a great worry to parents who are having trouble revealing the news of Boseman's death to their little kids. They think it might be too much for the kids to handle.
Boseman, who played the role of T'challa, the protector and superhero of Wakanda has succeeded in melting his way deep into the heart of thousands of fans. The whole world has been left in distress and shock at his sudden demise, including preteens and teens inclusive.
To a lot of Black kids and their senior kin, King T'Challa was the first big-screen superhero they'd ever seen that looked like them.
Due to this, many parents are finding it difficult to figure out a way to break the terrifying news of his death to the loving kids who believe him to be a courageous hero.
Many also appear to have discovered a good and pleasant way to disclose the news to their kids, and it turns out that their feelings for him stay the same even though they are heartbroken.
Kyle Cox, a graphic designer, said he could recall his efforts to keep his heartbreak away from his little kid Lucas when Kobe Bryant, the NBA superstar, died.
He also mentioned that Lucas' bedroom is covered with "Black Panther" posters, bed sheets, pillowcases, and action figures.
Cox added that he and his wife were yet to decide if they would tell their son about Boseman's demise. He said Lucas wanted to be Black king like T'Challa when he comes of age.
He also revealed that it might crush his little boy who is still trying to get used to the pandemic and not seeing his friends anymore.
To a lot of Black kids and their senior kin, King T'Challa was the first big-screen superhero they had ever seen that looked like them.
Tributes have poured out in Boseman's memory since his passing. Oprah Winfrey posted a tribute to the late actor on Twitter. She described him as a gentle soul.
Winfrey noted that Boseman showed greatness even while he battled with sickness, adding that the strength, courage, and power to do such a thing was descriptive of dignity.