Black Panther is making headlines as a box office hit that's also a superhero movie starring black actors. But it could also be the biggest science movie of the year.
Not only is King T’Challa (Black Panther) a scientist himself, “his whole culture is based on accomplished black people doing scientific breakthroughs to make their world work so well,” said Clifford Johnson, a professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Southern California. Johnson is also the author of the graphic book, The Dialogues: Conversations About the Nature of the Universe. “It shows that being an accomplished scientist isn’t a singular thing that can happen to one or two extraordinary people,” he said. “It can be a way of life.” Another highlight: the king’s 16-year-old sister Shuri is the genius behind the kingdom’s most amazing technological advancements. “I think it’s a tremendous opportunity in popular culture,” Johnson said.
