Press On!

The

Shuri — Technology and Young People

T’Challa — The Strategic

The Women of — Smart, Stunning, and Strong

Erik Killmonger — The Product of a Failed Society

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Table of Contents

Features 4 Phenola’s Note 5 T’Challa — The Strategic Leader 6 The Women of Wakanda — Smart, Stunning, and Strong 7 The Invisible Woman (Poem) 8 Erik Killmonger — The Product of a Failed Society 9 Devotional: M’Baku — Brother, I’ve Got Your Back 10 — Technology and Young People 11 Don’t Forget Your Community 12 — Boundaries are Important

Founder, Design Director and Writer Phenola Moore

Executive Editor E. Marilyn Stackhouse

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Photo Credits: Cover photo: Ryan Meinderding at https://wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=855117 Photos: Marvel Studios (pages five, six, eight, nine, ten, and 12) Photos: www.Deposit Photos.com (page seven and back cover).

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Black Panther T-shirts Order the t-shirts below by going to the website that is under the photo.

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Wakanda Forever! I couldn’t wait to see the movie Black Panther, set in the fictitious land of Wakanda, with a predominately black cast. The movie was so good that I saw it twice. Not only was it an action-packed movie, but it offered several life lessons that I want to share with you in this Special Edition – Press On! Webzine titled “Lessons Taught in the Black Panther Movie.” When you read the articles in this issue, you will see how every character in the movie gave something that the audience can use in life.

The female characters Okoye, Nakia, Shuri, Ramonda, and the (all-female army) were fierce. Okoye knew the signif- icance of setting boundaries and her love, W’Kabi, realized just how important hers were in “Okoye – Boundaries are Im- portant.” “The Women of Wakanda – Smart, Stunning and Strong” article depict how their characters were celebrated in Wakanda. “Shuri – Technology and Young People,” highlights teenage Shuri’s brilliant use of technology, and how important it is to capture the ideas of young people within your group, organization, or ministry. The poem, “The Invisible Woman,” is a man’s perspective of this type of woman, and what he found out later in life.

Leadership is more than either being hired or elected to a position and “T’Challa – The Strategic Leader” shares what it takes to be a good one. If you are going to face your enemies, you need a strong group of people to help you in battle. The devotional, “M’Baku – Brother, I’ve Got Your Back,” reveals how humility unified leaders to fight a common enemy, who in this case happened to be Erik Killmonger. I share insight about his life as an African-American male living in the Unit- ed States in “Erik Killmonger – The Product of a Failed Society,” and give tips on how to help our young boys and men cope during today’s times.

Also, a few weeks ago, I started posting entertaining and inspirational quotes on my #MidnightThoughts Facebook page. Go to @pmmidnightthoughts, like the page, and you will ac- cess the quotes I post at midnight. And do not forget to order a Black Panther t-shirt that I shared on page three.

Thank you for reading and sharing Press On! Webzine. Don’t forget to e-mail me your comments at [email protected] because I love reading them. And don’t worry, if you don’t want me to publish them, I won’t. :>)

Take care and #WakandaForever.

Phenola Moore

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T'Challa –The Strategic Leader By Phenola Moore

“The world is changing. Soon there will only be the conquered and the conquerors. You are a good man with a good heart. And it's hard for a good man to be a king,” said King T'Chaka in the Black Panther movie (IMDb, 2018).

After King T’Chaka died, T’Challa was next Photo: Marvel Studios to inherit the throne if no one challenged him. When T’Challa’s cousin, Erik Killmonger, arrived in Wakanda, he challenged T’Challa and won. This experience helped to toughen T’Challa’s character. However, how he interacted with and had compassion toward Killmonger at the end of his life, his confidence when working with his highly intelligent younger sister, Shuri, along with his physical strength he revealed the qualities of an excellent strategic leader.

T'Challa had empathy toward Killmonger after he wounded him during the fight on the subway rails. Gasping for breath, Killmonger said that he never got to see the land, Wakanda, that his fa- ther talked about when he was alive. Instead of finishing off Killmonger right there, T’Challa granted him his last wish to see Wakanda by physically transporting him to view it from a high elevation. T'Challa's kindness allowed Killmonger to see the compassionate side of T’Challa that created peace in their tumultuous relationship.

When possible, a strategic leader should spend personal time with his or her followers so they can get to know them on a compassionate level. A leader needs to know necessary things about their staff such as marital status, if they have children and how many, if they have health issues, and if they are dealing with outside issues that can affect the way they do their job. An example is to spend time with employees outside of work duties. Take them out as a group to eat, or have food brought in-house so that staff can talk about topics other than work. It can create a safe place where everyone can share and, in turn, the leader can gain insight about their staff.

A strategic leader should not allow his title to keep him from receiving assistance from his staff. T’Challa's interaction with his younger sister, Shuri, revealed his confidence. He let her show him how she was using to keep him and Wakanda safe. A good leader will have staff mem- bers who know how to do things that he or she does not. But it takes humility to acknowledge this and to allow them to use what they know freely. Although T’Challa is an astute scientist, he was not intimidated to learn from his sister and to use what she created to advance Wakanda.

Article continues on page 13.

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The Women of Wakanda – Smart, Stunning, and Strong By Phenola Moore One of the reasons the Black Panther movie stands out to me is that there R N a a is an excellent representation of smart, stunning, and strong black wom- m k en. However, the women are not powerful because they overcame dread- o i ful life challenges, but because they were allowed to develop to their full n a potential without racism, sexism, or colorism restrictions. Nakia is a tal- d a ented spy, Shuri expertly uses technology, Okoye is the general of the Dora Milaje (an all-female army), and Ramonda, T’Challa’s mother, is a S O h k nurturer and one of the glorious women of Wakanda. u o r y i e Nakia, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje are the primary female warriors in the movie. In several scenes, Nakia sensed danger and alerted T’Challa. She Photo: Marvel Studios is also strikingly beautiful, and in one scene, T’Challa was so mesmerized by her beauty that he froze in his tracks. General Okoye and the Dora Milaje protected T’Challa and Wakanda. She was so devoted to her country that she stayed in com- mand during Erik Killmonger’s reign because that is how much she honored her military position. These women used their mental intelligence and physical strength throughout the movie.

Also, there were no adverse connotations or restrictions regarding the various looks and styles of the women. Their appearance did not create any issues, but was just who they were as women. This movie shared the type of beautiful, black women that is rarely celebrated in society and the media.

T’Challa’s immediate female family members consisted of his teenage sister, Shuri , and his mother, Ramonda. Shuri was a genius who used technology and vibranium to create a magnetic-powered subway, remote piloting orchestrated by a Kimoyo bead, Black Panther’s kinetic energy storage and distribution suit, and holograms. Ramonda possessed a mature beauty and strength as she went to W’Baku to ask for help to regain control over Wakanda fight. They were a triangle of strength that ruled Wakanda.

It would be amazing if we lived in this type of Okoye () and the Dora Milaje utopia where women could move forward in life according to their intelligence, drive, and strength. Unfortunately, we live in a society where women sometimes have to dumb down to get along, a strong woman is perceived as mannish, and all beauty is measured by European stand- ards. The gifts and talents of women in Wakanda Photo: Marvel Studios were celebrated because they were used to aid and secure Wakanda, the most significant civilization on earth. I can only imagine a society where women could be their complete, authentic selves, and I did while watching more than two hours of the Black Panther movie.

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The Invisible Woman By Phenola Moore

The Invisible Woman No one is looking for you! You love God and show it to others. Your conversation is peaceful. Everybody says you are the one. Photo: Deposit Photos When the preacher talks about “your type,” I zone out or look at my phone. Why, because you sound dull or dry. Never mind that the Bible states that I will be blessed to find you.

LOL The guys and I just laugh about “your type,” and tell others that you are extinct. All the while, we are not looking for you, but are seeking out “The Seen Woman.” Yes, she may be a little out there, but when we get together, I will groom her.

Fast forward, now I hate to go home because the “The Seen Woman” has tamed me. She didn’t slow down one bit, but I did because I am working feverishly to keep everything together. I hate when it is time to get off work; sometimes I ask for overtime, or if I can go out of town on an assignment.

But nobody knows my dilemma because I am a good actor. I cannot let anyone know that I am living in a mess. Yes, “The Seen Woman” is creating havoc in my life because it always keeps the attention on her.

On the other hand, the jeweler discovered an excellent jewel known as “The Invisible Woman.” And he snatched her up before another discerning man could discover her brilliance. Now he is living and loving his life with her, and I am living in a stay-at-home prison.

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Erik Killmonger – The Product of a Failed Society By Phenola Moore

Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) “Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, because they knew death was better than bondage,” said Erik Killmonger in the Black Panther movie (IMDb, 2018).

During the middle passage, Africans were thrown overboard because they died, or they jumped to save themselves from the brutal treatment they were receiving. According to Encyclopedia Virginia, “Between 1500 and 1866, Europeans transported to Photo: Marvel Studios the Americas nearly 12.5 million enslaved Africans, about 1.8 million of whom died on the Middle Passage, their bodies thrown into the Atlan- tic” (Wolfe, 2018). Killmonger’s reference to slavery reflects the desperate way he and many Afri- can-American boys and men feel about their lives in America. They are living in a never-ending cycle where it seems they cannot get ahead. Killmonger’s rage was a reflection of society’s rejec- tion.

Today, African-American males are sometimes unjustly judged because of the hue of their skin. In the Black Panther, Killmonger represents our shattered race by acting out his frustrations through rage and killings. It drove him to get to a land where his father was born and raised, Wakanda, a type of utopia. Killmonger’s character also represents how society has damaged the spirit of some African-American males. Unlike his cousin, T’Challa, Killmonger was not afforded the luxury of living in a community where he could freely express his complete self. In fact, he could not devel- op into a man who did not have to continually fight off the negative stigmas that society placed on him. Killmonger represents the African-American male who is fed up with being oppressed in the United States.

Going forward, let’s build up African-American males with positive affirmations. Focus on their good qualities, and praise them. For example, if your son gets the mail, thank him for doing so and let him know that you appreciate it. A kind word can build him up to face the opposition he re- ceives from the outside world. Things are a lot different now compared to years ago when today’s adults were growing up. Today, more outside forces are competing for boys’ attention that can dis- tract them from reaching their goals.

It is essential for men to spend quality time with the boys in their lives. They can share the good things they experienced growing up and what it means to be a man, and encourage the boys to ask questions. Also, they can take them to where you grew up, or share photos explaining what it was like as well as include information about your heritage. Making time to spend with them will create a bond, and will let them know if you made it they can, too.

Article continued on page 13.

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By Phenola Moore

“Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalms 133:1 (KJV). Although M’Baku was T’Challa’s biggest enemy at the beginning of the Black Panther movie, he came to T’Challa’s rescue in the end. When T’Challa’s family thought that he died when battling Erik Killmonger, they went to M’Baku to ask if he would help them regain Wakanda. M’Baku said no. Instead, he took them to T’Challa, who was near death, and his sister, Shuri, used the kingly potion to revive him. After T’Challa, Nakia, and Shuri went back to fight Killmonger for the throne, M’Baku changed his mind, and he and his army helped to defeat Killmonger, Photo: Marvel Studios W’Kabi, and his army. This scene depicts how M’Baku swallowed his pride to help a fellow brother, T’Challa, defeat his enemy.

Pride is the culprit of division. It is easy to become so consumed with who we are that we will not reach out to help someone else. M’Baku could have stayed in his kingdom, but he had compassion for T’Challa’s mother, Ramonda, who asked for his help to take back the Wakandan throne from Killmonger. The enemy knows that there is power in unity, and he is trying to keep us divided. He will point out minor things to create discord and distract us from getting anything accomplished. What we can learn from this scene is that when we work together, we can defeat the enemy.

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Shuri – Technology and Young People By Phenola Moore

Shuri, in the Black Panther movie, is a technology genius who is the brains behind Wakanda’s inno- vation. She is T’Challa’s teenage sister who uses the country’s natural resource, vibranium, to keep Wakanda and T’Challa safe. She developed a magnetic-powered subway, with remote piloting that was orchestrated by a Kimoyo bead, Black Panther’s kinetic energy storage and distribution suit and holograms. She also used vibranium to heal wounded people. Shuri’s character showed a young person’s contribution is essential, and we can get ideas from them through “think tank” ses- sions, and creating youth leadership positions.

Periodic “think tank” sessions provide lead- ers with an opportunity to hear ideas from young people such as new ways they learn in school, on the Internet, and within their communities. In “think tank” sessions, sev- eral topics can be outlined, and youth can offer their thoughts on how to solve the problem. Another option is to post ques- tions on a social media platform asking youth to either reply to the post or a secure email address. Later, this information can be documented and sorted so that leaders will know who commented and possibly T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and Shuri (Letitia Wright) have that person carry through the project. Photo: Marvel Studios

Create youth leadership positions within your group in which they can help to implement their ide- as. I would caution adults not to try to apply the youth’s ideas because you most likely do not think as they do. Watch a young person with a cell phone. They know how to use every aspect of it in its entirety. On the other hand, older people use a few applications. An older person trying to imple- ment a younger person’s idea will likely not bring it out to its fullest.

Like the people of Wakanda, we need to embrace young people who want to share what they have learned with us. For example, you send your child to school to get an education, but if they wait to use what they have learned until they are older, the information is likely to be old and outdated. Instead, create an environment where youth can share their ideas, like Shuri, to advance the goals of a group or organization. It may take some prying because some youth have been shunned in the past. The relationship you gain with them while developing both you and your group will be worth the growing pains of youth-adult interaction.

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Don’t Forget Your Community By Phenola Moore

After the Black Panther movie ends, there is a final scene where Shuri and T’Challa go to Oakland, California, where Erik Killmonger grew up. There, he tells Shuri that he purchased the apartment building where Killmonger lived as a child and two nearby buildings that, after renovations, will be used for a Wakandan outreach program. The program will give people in the community the tools they need to advance the neighborhood.

On a smaller scale, we can also do something to help others. Answering the following questions may help you develop a roadmap.

· Are you helping your family? Start with your immediate family members who genuinely need assistance, not those loafing around, and determine if there is an area in which you can help. It may be something as simple as cooking a meal for an elderly relative or a mother who has a full plate. · Are you supporting the church or mission that helped you and your family when you did not have much? Why not send them a donation or volunteer time? · Have you reached out to that coach, teacher, or adult who helped to shape your life for the better? If you do not have their contact information, Google them on the Internet to see if they have a social media account and reach out to them there. A post of appreciation could make their day.

Most people who help others are not looking for anything in return. They get satisfaction from helping to make others’ lives better. Helping someone or an organization never goes out of style. Acts 2:45 states, “And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Helping others is what the people in the Bible did, and God left for an example to us. I am not telling you to sell your possessions, but your time, phone call, card, gift, or monetary gift is a nice gesture for anyone.

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Okoye – Boundaries are Important By Phenola Moore

Although female General Okoye and Commander of Wakanda’s Border Tribe W’Kabi were in a love relationship in the Black Panther movie, that did not stop Okoye from maintaining boundaries that W’kabi could not cross. In a fight scene where they were on opposite sides, she drew her spear, and he pulled out his sword. W'Kabi asked, “Would you kill me, my love?” and Okoye an- swered, “For Wakanda... no question” (IMDb, 2018). Okoye established her boundary and en- forced it.

Boundaries are essential in any relation- ship. We cannot assume that others will know how far is enough. Some people can sense how far to go, but others have to be told or shown, as in Okoye’s case. W’Kabi assumed that Okoye would back down because of their relationship, but the bright look in her eyes during those fight scene revealed that she would not, and he conceded. Realistic boundaries can help shape a healthy relationship. Photo: Marvel Studios

A realistic boundary is one that is attainable. An example of an unrealistic goal is one a friend shared with me. She tells suitors on the first date that if they want a second date, they should be talking about marriage. She has yet to have a second date in years. A more realistic approach is to let the person you are dating know that you are not interested in casual dating, but are looking for someone who wants to be in a committed relationship. Communicating your attainable boundary is the foundation you can build on for a healthy relationship.

Also, enforcing boundaries is vital. Telling your child that he/she will be punished, and not follow- ing through lets your child know that you are not serious about the boundary, and undermines your authority. Instead, follow through with the rules that you established.

Setting limits can be challenging because we live in a society where almost anything goes. Although you do not want to turn people off, you have to establish parameters so that you can keep your dignity. Boundaries will also allow you to maintain healthy, realistic relationships.

———————- IMDB (2018). Black Panther (2018), Danai Gurira: Okoye. Retrieved from www.imdb.com/title/ tt1825683/characters/nm1775091?ref_=tt_cl_t4.

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T'Challa –The Strategic Leader (continuation from page 4.)

Although a leader does not have to be a bodybuilder, participating in a regular exercise routine will make a healthier body. T’Challa was physically active with or without the kingly power. It isn’t enough to be mentally prepared with facts, figures, and action items, but having the physical strength to endure stress is equally important. Deciding to do something as simple as walking a few minutes throughout the day can help to strengthen your body and cleanse your mind. A good lead- er needs the strength and endurance to command, and regular exercise will help.

Finally, knowing how to show compassion toward the group you lead takes skill, and you have to spend time with them to do it efficiently. Also, considering advice from your followers can be vital to building a secure unit. And lastly, creating a stronger body through exercise can help to reduce stress in your life. T’Challa is an excellent example as he led with warmth, humility, and endur- ance.■

------IMDB (2018). Black Panther (2018), John Kani: T’Chaka. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/ title/tt1825683/characters/nm0434712?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t14. *********** Erik Killmonger – The Product of a Failed Society (continuation from page 7.)

The devastating way Killmonger viewed his life was revealed when he compared living now to that of a slave. He felt that living anywhere besides Wakanda was a private jail. To inspire this genera- tion of African-American males, we need to build them up with positive words and actions so they will be able to handle better the resistance they get in the world. ■

------IMDB (2018). Black Panther (2018), Michael B. Jordan: Erik Killmonger. Retrieved from www.imdb.com/title/tt1825683/characters/nm0430107?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t2.

Wolfe, B. Slave Ships and the Middle Passage. (2018, January 29). In Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved from www.EncyclopediaVirginia.org/Slave_Ships_and_the_Middle_Passage.

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“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

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