By Arré Bench Aug. 31, 2020
When Chadwick Boseman died on Saturday, tributes poured in from across the world. They were heartfelt indeed, yet these images of children holding memorials for the Black Panther star with their action figures have a power of their own.
Very few on-screen superheroes transition to real-life superheroes that hold up their image, and Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman with impact and legacy is proof that the late actor has managed to ace both.
Boseman’s pursuit as Blank Panther gave the MCU fanatics a superhero who looked different than others but was on par with the rest. However, to the Black community, especially the young fans, seeing a superhero on-screen that looked a lot like them went beyond representation.
Mourning the death of his favourite superhero, a seven-year-old from Florissant, Missouri organised a “memorial” with Marvel action figures as he struck the ‘Wakanda Forever’ salutation with his crossed arms in honour.
MY BABY BOY AND THE AVENGERS HOLDING A MEMORIAL FOR BLACK PANTHER❤💪🏾#Wakanda4Ever pic.twitter.com/nYAnER23Ig
— King Westbrook (@KingWestbrook7) August 29, 2020
Little Kian Westbrook was heartbroken when he learned that the actor who played King T’Challa had died. According to Kian’s father, his son wanted to “cope with the passing of his hero” through this tribute.
Kian wanted to thank everyone from the bottom of his heart for all the loving and kind words given to him for this post. When he found out about Chadwicks passing, he was heart broken. But he knows death is a part for being human, and wanted to cope with losing his hero this way.
— King Westbrook (@KingWestbrook7) August 30, 2020
While Kian hadn’t seen the Black Panther star outside of the 2018 movie, he admitted to CNN that “[Boseman] was a good role model to me and Black boys because he let me know Black boys can be heroes too.”
And Kian wasn’t the only young fan mourning. Kids, the world over, were seen holding the “Wakanda Forever” salute, as they paid a tribute to the late actor with their Marvel figures. Fellow MCU co-star Mark Ruffalo tweeted this heartbreaking image.
“This is his power and impact on the next generation. #ChadwickForever,” the 52-year-old, who plays Hulk, wrote.
This is his power and impact on the next generation. #ChadwickForever pic.twitter.com/uzwaNOt8M0
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 30, 2020
Everyone found their own way to say goodbye.
Fare thee well #Wakanda4Ever #RipBro pic.twitter.com/2ap4zyaYur
— derrickks (@derrickks2) August 30, 2020
This is a 5 years old kid tribute to black panther Chadwick. #ripChadwick pic.twitter.com/qZ12hI9dgg
— Diego Arévalo (@darevalou) August 29, 2020
And some could not hold back their tears.
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A post shared by VIOLA DAVIS (@violadavis) on
Chadwick Boseman played many real-life heroes… and over the years, he turned into one.
Rest in power, King.
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