The late Chadwick Boseman is best known for his fictional portrayal of Marvel superhero T’Challa in the movie Black Panther. But his character, personality and ability to persevere are what make him an off-screen hero, and an inspiration to all kinds of people.

   On August 28th, actor Chadwick Boseman passed away after a battle with colon cancer, one he battled privately.

   Chadwick Boseman had a starring role when he portrayed Jackie Robinson in the biographical movie 42. But it is his portrayal of T’Challa in the movie Black Panther that is his best-known role.

   Black Panther is the first Marvel movie to feature a predominantly black cast and the first solo movie for a black superhero.

   Junior Alison Gruber is an avid believer that Boseman’s portrayal helped inspire the black youth.

   “He leaves a legacy for the black youth in American that [African Americans] can do anything and that their skin color doesn’t define them or restrict them from being great,” Gruber said.

   Senior Sophia Shai shared a similar idea, that the Black Panther movie gave power to African-Americans, instead of making them seem powerless.

   “[Boseman] allowed Marvel to show a different side of African culture, that lets [African American’s] be the heroes instead of being saved like they are in so many white savior types of movies,” Shai said.  

   Boseman was also of crucial importance to African American parents, who wished for their children to grow up with rightfully deserved representation. 

  Lee Rutherford is a middle school teacher and she has two African-American children. Rutherford explained her own experiences with adequate representation, or really, a lack thereof.

  “[My childhood and young adult years] was a time where black folks were greatly underrepresented in all areas regarding media. I recall shows that may have had a few black characters and never really ‘expected’ to see folks who looked like me on television or film.  I just assumed it was ‘just the way it was,’” Rutherford said. 

   Ms. Rutherford explains that with time, black media representation became more inclusive with Black Entertainment Television (BET). 

   “Nothing was ever marketed to families like mine [African American families] except during ‘black television’ shows or on BET,” Rutherford said.  

   Along with Boseman’s representation and empowerment for the black community, he was brave and was an absolute pillar of strength. 

   In 2016, Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. 

   Boseman fought cancer bravely and with dignity. His battle never prohibited him from being a devout actor and never took away from his all-consuming portrayal of his characters.

    Senior Avery Jacoby praises Boseman for his perseverance and never letting his illness hold him back from achieving greatness.

   “Chadwick Boseman was extremely brave in his battle against cancer. The old PR training of categorizing a person by their humanity first and their illness second shows how we think of people as being lesser for simply battling something. 

   His choice to keep his fight to himself not only kept people from giving him sympathy, thus lessening his rolls and choice to be condemned as the ‘cancer actor,’ but instead to be strong through his fight for his life is one of the bravest choices a person can make,” Jacoby said.

   Senior Allyson Konak shares a similar idea, that Boseman’s illness never took away from his character.

   “He treated everybody with grace and kindness despite going through his own battles. [His legacy is] to persevere, even if it means overcoming numerous obstacles along the way,” Konak said. .

   Boseman leaves the echo of his character and a legacy of change and opportunity. His roles were inspiring and his strength incomparable. 

   Boseman was a pioneer for African-American inclusivity and representation in mainstream media, and for African American’s everywhere that their possibilities are limitless, even though they are not given a fair opportunity.

   “To me, Chadwick Boseman represented black excellence. He was young, gifted, and black. He used not only his talents to contribute great works to this world, but he used his life to make us all better. He represented the dream for us all,” Rutherford said.