Black Is King Is The Cultural Reset We All Needed. If You Are Crazy Enough To Disagree, Here Are 4 Reasons Why.

Black is King, a visual album produced by Beyonce x Parkwood Entertainment, was released exclusively on Disney+ this weekend and it gave us EVERYTHING we needed. I am pretty sure we are all aware of the cultural significance Black Is King holds but just in case you did not fully understand the hype surrounding the film, here are 4 reasons why Black is King was the cultural reset of the decade. This is for the Editorial Fellowship.

1. Resetting the Standard of Representation.

Parkwood Entertainment and Disney+ via via Associated Press

Black is king gave us representation in a way that we have never seen it before. For years, we, the black community, have petitioned for representation in Hollywood only to be served with exclusively lightskin casts and the occasional dark skin side character. While these characters and shows are great, they aren’t actually what we are asking for. We are asking to see authentic black culture represented prominently on screen.

Black is King gave us that.

Authentic black culture embodies so much more than just having black people on screen. It is sharing black experiences, black love, black joy, black wealth, black hairstyles, black dances-- just everything black!

Black is King gave us that.

I do not think I have ever seen a cast this black in my life. It may sound like I am being dramatic, but I pay attention to on screen representation. As a darkskin black woman, I never see myself portrayed this beautifully in mainstream media. I am shocked whenever I see skin tones as deep as mine on the screen period. Black is King gave me so many beautiful moments. From young Nala & Simba running around the fountain, to the young girls, dancers and aunties in Brown Skin Girl, I almost cried.

Outside of I May Destroy You, Insecure, and the two other black sitcoms still on the air, I rarely see representation that feels this complete. Black is king didn’t just show us one type of black, it highlighted it all.

This is what we mean when we fight for representation.

2. Re-Introducing African Culture

Parkwood Entertainment / Via eonline.com

It has always been clear to me that my Caribbean culture interlocks with African culture and history. I grew up around it. My understanding of the culture came from my mixed Caribbean / African church, attending Ghanian weddings, and my Nigerian friends. So, when the Gift originally dropped, I was amped to hear the culture I grew to love front and center. Hearing Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, and Mr. Eazi in the soundtrack and then subsequently seeing more artists in the film brought me so much joy.

Watching Yemi Alade kill Don’t Jealous Me in her stunning red outfit had me SCREAMING at the screen. I nearly fainted when Beyonce, Papa Ojo and hundreds of other dancers killed Jaquel Knight & Chris Grants choreography. Busiwaah, an artist that I became familiar with because of The Gift album, captivated the entire room when she was going off in My Power. I still cannot believe I watch dancers Zanku, Pilolo, and Gwara Gwara on Disney+.

Amplifying the platform for these dancers and artists was one of the most impactful parts for me.

African culture is too often subjected to appropriation without deep appreciation. This is true for all of the Black diasporas, but it hits differently when it comes to Africa.

The lack of appreciation surrounding African culture is not new. Black is King has sparked a much-needed discussion amongst my African friends and mutuals regarding how they feel about the execution of this film. It is not my place to decide how others should feel or decide if the Parkwood team did their “due diligence” but I will say that seeing African artists and African dances in this project was exciting.

3. Re-Inspiring a generation.

Robin Harper/Parkwood Entertainment/Disney + via AP

At the end of this film, I sat and watched all of the credits. I watch the names of producers, AD’s, gaffers, dancers, and hairstylist in awe. I never watch the credits to anything (unless it is a Marvel movie and even then, I am just waiting for the post-credit scene). But for Black is King, It was different. This time I watched the credits. I paid attention. I paused. I imagined.

This is truly a cultural reset.

It reminded people like me to dream big and dream black. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would be watching something this black on Disney+. DISNEY PLUS! This film inspired many to refocus and reach for the stars. Remembering our roots is so much more than just knowing our history. It is also about knowing our trajectory. It ignited a fire under the dreams and drive for people everywhere.

Just think about it. If us the “adults” were inspired by Black is King, I can only imagine how young black kids are experiencing this.

There is going to be a generation of young black kids that have been blessed with this project in their formative years. The next generation of black youth have been exposed to black love, black excellence, black beauty and black wealth portrayed on a huge platform like Disney. Imagine how much higher you can dream when this is your inspiration.

There is no denying that the energy behind this visual album was electric. You can feel it in the album. You can feel it in the visuals. You can feel it in the impact.

4. A Reminder: Blackness is powerful.

Andrew White/Parkwood Entertainment/Disney + via AP

Black is King, a film centered around blackness, was a reminder of our powerful history. A history of royalty and beauty. The theme of knowing yourself and your roots was almost made exactly for this moment in time. Amidst our current cultural climate, it almost feels tiring to be black.

Let me be clear, I, like most other black people, never forgot the power AND joy of blackness. Nevertheless, Black is King was a beautiful reminder of the beauty and power of blackness.

As a community, it can be discouraging to hear stories about death and injustice. We are fighting for justice in the midst of a pandemic which is still crazy to me. Moments like this remind people why fighting is so important.

Africans and the Black diaspora hold strength and power. Even though we are in the midst of a fight for our lives, it is important to take a second to indulge in the beauty of black excellence, wealth, and intelligence.

Black is King was IT.

Even though this visual album was a retelling of the Lion King, this movie reminded us of so much more. The film has already been so impactful to the people around me. It is beyond seeing Beyonce thrive and flex. It was a reminder of the greatness of black creativity & ingenuity.

A true cultural reset.