The sequel to Black Panther, Black Panther:Wakanda Forever, like its predecessor, is another blockbuster. So far, the Marvel Comics movie is projected to top the US$1 Billion mark and has been seen by more than 12 million patrons.
The movie has secured nominations and won awards from the crème de la crème of the movie industry. The movie has received five Academy (Oscar) nominations: –
- Angela Bassett has secured nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
- Ruth E. Carter for Best Costume Design.
- “Lift Me Up,” music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Goransson; lyrics by Tems and Ryan Coogler coped a nomination.
- Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, Christopher White, and Dan Sudick nominated for Best Visual Effects.
- Camille Friend and Joel Harlow nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Bassett recently walked away with a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Wakanda.
Rihanna is of Guyanese-Barbadian parentage. Her mother is Guyanese. She was born in Barbados and identifies more with her Bajan heritage.
Letitia Wright, a born Guyanese, played Shuri -sister of the late King T’Challa, – in the movie. She is undoubtedly one of the leading stars.
Protecting and defending the Kingdom and Royal Family of Wakanda, which Shuri has inherited with the death of her brother, is an elite team of female warriors known as the Dora Milaje. Within that warrior group is Guyanese Shaunette Renée Wilson.
Both Shaunette and Letitia have made no secret of their heritage and proudly identify as Guyanese. And whereas Shaunette did not have a similar role to Letitia, there is no doubt Letitia would, like many other Guyanese, want Guyana to celebrate her.
Letitia is a very sweet young lady. Those who watched her doing the media rounds on Wakanda, have seen her infectious charm, grace and dignity, whether alone or sharing the spotlight. So comfortable is she in her skin she would honour and celebrate others for their role in the movie. Those unaware she is among Wakanda’s leading stars would think her co-interviewee is given her humility and charm.
Letitia deserves all her national recognition, including a prime real estate, and probably something named in her honour. She deserves every petal in her bouquets of flowers. May ten thousand and more bloom. Shaunette is no less deserving. They are both Guyana’s pride and role models for young girls and women. They are equally of us, a part of us and must be given similar recognition, even if the distinction of roles is made known.
Letitia Wright and Shaunette Renée Wilson are children of Guyana- their navel strings buried here- and are deserving to be treated equally, particularly in a land whose laws say we are all equal.
