The highly anticipatedMarvel Studiosfilm “Black Panther” will debut in theaters across the country next month and Black women will indeed be in attendance, despite what you may have heard.
Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film’s all-star cast includes Chadwick Boseman as lead character “T’Challa,” Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett and Forest Whitaker, to name a few.
Jordan, 30, a native of Newark, N.J., who starred in Coogler’s 2015 film “Creed,” trended on Twitter this week, not for his role as villainErik Killmonger,but for who he’s allegedly dating:Latina Instagram model Ashlyn Castro. Abogus Instagram account is promoting all the hoopla.
The account dedicated to pictures of Jordan,mbjisbae92, has several postings of a graphic with the text: “If we aren’t good enough for you, you don’t deserve our money Boycott.”
The latest posting has a message directed toward Jordan:
Since we aren’t good enough for you@michaelbjordanI will not spend a dime on you#blackpanther#michaelbjordan#marvel
It’s not certain if the account is even run by a Black woman. As we’ve learned recently, during the 2016 presidential electionsocial media accounts were created by trollstofalsely promote Black activism.
The rumor of a boycott of”Black Panther” continues to swirl on social media.
Y’all were cheering and rooting for Meghan Markle, Serena Williams and Rihanna for dating outside their race but as soon as Michael B Jordan does the same thing, y’all mad and outraged & probably say he hates his momma. But don’t mind me… pic.twitter.com/YI2vaIVVYX
Knf Sr (@Negreauxdamus) January 2, 2018
But Black women have taken to Twitter to say talk of a boycott is utterly ridiculous and won’t happen:
Black women can literally save Alabama, only to be portrayed that as a group we are losing our minds over Michael B. Jordan dating a non-black woman. #BlackPanther #michaelbjordan pic.twitter.com/AS0JTFlqW5
Kiki Roch (@OnionsAndWine) January 3, 2018
I seen more posts complaining that BW are mad at Michael B Jordan than posts from BW being mad at Michael B Jordan
Caillou (@___idi) January 3, 2018
“BW are boycotting Black Panther because Michael B. Jordan is dating a non-black woman”
LMAOOOOO fake news. Hunny he could date a light lavender Martian for all we care. If he hasn’t said anything reckless about BW this is how we’re going to that theater. pic.twitter.com/EeKER7oZn6
Simply TC (Not From Concentrate) (@BienSur_JeTaime) January 2, 2018
Marvel Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company, No. 36on theFair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies list, released the official trailer in October.
The film’s synopsis:
“Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king.
But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.
Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
“Black Panther” opens in U.S. theaters Feb. 16.
