{"id":3720,"date":"2019-02-21T11:05:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-21T19:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/black-panther-and-its-science-role-models-inspire-more-than-just-movie-awards\/"},"modified":"2025-02-15T21:35:41","modified_gmt":"2025-02-16T05:35:41","slug":"black-panther-breaks-ground-with-science-role-models","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/black-panther-breaks-ground-with-science-role-models\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Black Panther\u2019 and its science role models inspire more than just movie awards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n    \n                                \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-hero \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-hero\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"text-wrapper\">\n          <nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n        <ul>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\">News<\/a><\/li>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\/?category=science-and-technology\">Science and Technology<\/a><\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/nav>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title\">\n\n    \n  <h1>\u2018Black Panther\u2019 and its science role models inspire more than just movie awards<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n          <div class=\"subtitle\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  The portrayal of its lead characters as scientists and engineers is a groundbreaking achievement, says physics and astronomy professor Clifford Johnson.\n\n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n           <strong class=\"author-field\"><span >By<\/span><a href=\"mailto:communication@dornsife.usc.edu\">Clifford Johnson<\/a><\/strong>\n    \n          <span class=\"post-date-field\">February 21, 2019<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--social-share \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--social-share\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n    <span class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\" style=\"line-height: 32px;\">\n      <span class=\"title\">\n        Share\n      <\/span>\n                        <a class=\"a2a_button_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#copy_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Link\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_copy_link\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m7.43475275 9.52380952-2.17490843 2.26076008c-1.08745421 1.058837-1.68841575 2.518315-1.68841575 4.0350275 0 1.5167124.60096154 2.9475732 1.68841575 4.0350274 1.058837 1.0874543 2.51831502 1.6884158 4.03502747 1.6884158 1.44087681 0 2.80427251-.5423678 3.86936601-1.5289606l.1656615-.1594552 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0l7.2857142-6.34285719c-.0857142-.08571428-.2571428-.08571428-.4285714-.08571428zm-1.28571428 1.11428567v.1714286 8.5714286c0 .6857143.6 1.2857143 1.28571428 1.2857143h14.57142856c.6857143 0 1.2857143-.6 1.2857143-1.2857143v-8.5714286c0-.0857143 0-.0857143 0-.1714286l-7.2 6.3428572c-.7714286.6857143-1.8857143.6857143-2.6571429 0z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" transform=\"translate(-6 -9)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Email<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                  <\/span>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n \n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>It has been said many times that the Marvel movie \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1825683\/\">Black Panther<\/a>\u201d is an important landmark. I\u2019m not referring to its deserved critical and box office success worldwide, the many awards it has won, or the fact that it is the first film in the superhero genre to be <a href=\"https:\/\/oscars.org\/oscars\/ceremonies\/2019\">nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, I\u2019m focusing on a key aspect of its cultural impact that is less frequently discussed. Finally a feature film starring a black superhero character became part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe \u2013 a successful run of intertwined movies that began with \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0371746\/\">Iron Man<\/a>\u201d in 2008. While there have been other superhero movies with a black lead character \u2013 \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0448157\/\">Hancock<\/a>\u201d (2008), \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0120611\/\">Blade<\/a>\u201d (1998), \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0120177\/\">Spawn<\/a>\u201d (1997) or even \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0107563\/\">The Meteor Man<\/a>\u201d (1993) \u2013 this film is significant because of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyfa.edu\/student-resources\/the-rise-of-superhero-films\/\">recent remarkable rise of the superhero film<\/a> from the nerdish fringe to part of mainstream culture.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boxofficemojo.com\/movies\/?id=marvel2017b.htm\">Huge audiences<\/a> saw a black lead character \u2013 not a sidekick or part of a team \u2013 in a superhero movie by a major studio, with a black director (Ryan Coogler), black writers and a majority black cast. This is a significant step toward diversifying our culture by improving the <a href=\"http:\/\/annenberg.usc.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/Dr_Stacy_L_Smith-Inequality_in_900_Popular_Films.pdf\">lackluster representation<\/a> of minorities in our major media. It\u2019s also a <a href=\"http:\/\/annenberg.usc.edu\/research\/aii\/research\/raceethnicity\">filmmaking landmark because black creators<\/a> have been given access to the resources and platforms needed to bring different storytelling perspectives into our mainstream culture.<\/p>\n<p>2017\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0451279\/\">Wonder Woman<\/a>\u201d forged a similar path. In that case, a major studio finally decided to commit resources to a superhero film headlined by a female character and directed by a woman, Patty Jenkins. Female directors are <a href=\"http:\/\/annenberg.usc.edu\/inclusion-directors-chair\">a minority in the movie industry<\/a>. Jenkins brought a new perspective to this kind of action movie, and there was a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/life\/movies\/2017\/05\/31\/why-women-are-crying-when-they-watch-wonder-woman-fight\/102328772\/\">huge positive response from audiences<\/a> in theaters worldwide.<\/p>\n<p>And beyond all this, \u201cBlack Panther\u201d also broke additional ground in a way most people may not realize: In the comics, the character is actually a scientist and engineer. Moreover, in the inevitable (and somewhat ridiculous) ranking of scientific prowess that happens in the comic book world, he\u2019s been portrayed as at least the equal of the two most famous \u201ctop scientists\u201d in the Marvel universe: Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic). A black headlining superhero character written and directed by black artists is rare enough from a major studio. But making him \u2013 and his sister Shuri \u2013 successful scientists and engineers as well is another level of rarity.<\/p>\n<h2>Scientists on screen<\/h2>\n<p>I\u2019m a scientist who cares about increased engagement with science by the general public. I\u2019ve worked as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.laweekly.com\/film\/physicist-dr-clifford-v-johnson-is-a-consultant-on-superhero-movies-8232890\">a science adviser on many film and TV projects<\/a> (though not \u201cBlack Panther\u201d). When the opportunity arises, I\u2019ve <a href=\"https:\/\/creativefuture.org\/science-advisor-conversation-dr-clifford-johnson\/\">helped broaden the diversity of scientist characters<\/a> portrayed onscreen.<\/p>\n<h6><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205377\/original\/file-20180207-74512-hw1u6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205377\/original\/file-20180207-74512-hw1u6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205377\/original\/file-20180207-74512-hw1u6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205377\/original\/file-20180207-74512-hw1u6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205377\/original\/file-20180207-74512-hw1u6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205377\/original\/file-20180207-74512-hw1u6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205377\/original\/file-20180207-74512-hw1u6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205377\/original\/file-20180207-74512-hw1u6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a> <strong><span class=\"caption\">Jason Wilkes is a black scientist on \u2018Agent Carter,\u2019 whose character emerged from the author\u2019s talks with the show\u2019s writers.<\/span> <span class=\"attribution\"><span class=\"source\">ABC Television<\/span>, <a class=\"license\" href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nd\/4.0\/\">CC BY-ND<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n<figure style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205375\/original\/file-20180207-74512-zdpjdm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205375\/original\/file-20180207-74512-zdpjdm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205375\/original\/file-20180207-74512-zdpjdm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=419&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205375\/original\/file-20180207-74512-zdpjdm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=419&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205375\/original\/file-20180207-74512-zdpjdm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=419&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205375\/original\/file-20180207-74512-zdpjdm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=527&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205375\/original\/file-20180207-74512-zdpjdm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=527&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205375\/original\/file-20180207-74512-zdpjdm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=527&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\" alt=\"Comic panels from &quot;The Dialogues&quot; depicting a conversation.\" width=\"600\" height=\"419\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Panels from \u2018The Dialogues,\u2019 including a black female scientist. &#8216;The Dialogues,&#8217; by Clifford V. Johnson (MIT Press 2017), CC BY-ND<span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I\u2019ve also recently published a <a href=\"http:\/\/thedialoguesbook.com\/\">nonfiction graphic book<\/a> for general audiences called \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/mitpress.mit.edu\/books\/dialogues-0\">The Dialogues: Conversations about the Nature of the Universe<\/a>.\u201d Its characters include male and female black scientists, discussing aspects of my own field of theoretical physics \u2013 where black scientists are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/statistics\/2017\/nsf17310\/data.cfm\">unfortunately very rare<\/a>. So the opportunity that the \u201cBlack Panther\u201d movie presents to inform and inspire vast audiences is of great interest to me.<\/p>\n<p>The history and evolution of the Black Panther character and his scientific back story is a fascinating example of turning a problematic past into a positive opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>Created in 1966 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, he\u2019s the first black superhero character in mainstream comics, <a href=\"https:\/\/comicvine.gamespot.com\/fantastic-four-52-introducing-the-sensational-blac\/4000-8666\/\">originally appearing as a guest<\/a> in a \u201cFantastic Four\u201d Marvel comic. As a black character created and initially written by nonblack authors, guest-starring in the pages of a book headlined by white characters, he had many of the classic attributes of what is now sometimes controversially known as the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2010\/09\/14\/magical_negro_trope\/\">magical negro<\/a>\u201d in <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0021934707307831\">American cultural criticism<\/a>: He ranked extremely highly in every sphere that mattered, to the point of being almost too unreal even for the comics of the time.<\/p>\n<p>Black Panther is T\u2019Challa, king of the fictional African country Wakanda, which is fathomlessly wealthy and remarkably advanced, scientifically and technologically. Even Marvel\u2019s legendary master scientist \u2013 Reed Richards of the superhero team Fantastic Four \u2013 is befuddled by and full of admiration for Wakanda\u2019s scientific capabilities. T\u2019Challa himself is portrayed as an extraordinary \u201cgenius\u201d in physics and other scientific fields, a peerless tactician, a remarkable athlete and a master of numerous forms of martial arts. And he is noble to a fault. Of course, he grows to become a powerful ally of the Fantastic Four and other Marvel superheroes over many adventures.<\/p>\n<p><figure style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205406\/original\/file-20180207-74473-hjn59z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205406\/original\/file-20180207-74473-hjn59z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205406\/original\/file-20180207-74473-hjn59z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=333&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205406\/original\/file-20180207-74473-hjn59z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=333&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205406\/original\/file-20180207-74473-hjn59z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=333&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205406\/original\/file-20180207-74473-hjn59z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=418&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205406\/original\/file-20180207-74473-hjn59z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=418&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205406\/original\/file-20180207-74473-hjn59z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=418&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\" alt=\"A panel from a Fantastic Four comic.\" width=\"600\" height=\"332\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">While likening Black Panther to a \u2018refugee from a Tarzan movie,\u2019 the Fantastic Four marveled at his technological innovations in \u2018Introducing the Sensational Black Panther.\u2019 Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966). [Marvel Comics]<\/figcaption><\/figure>The key point here is that the superlative scientific ability of our hero, and that of his country, has its origins in the well-meaning, but problematic, practice of inventing near or beyond perfect black characters to support stories starring primarily white protagonists. But this is a lemons-to-lemonade story.<\/p>\n<p><figure style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205407\/original\/file-20180207-74476-yuoi9u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205407\/original\/file-20180207-74476-yuoi9u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205407\/original\/file-20180207-74476-yuoi9u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=280&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205407\/original\/file-20180207-74476-yuoi9u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=280&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205407\/original\/file-20180207-74476-yuoi9u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=280&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205407\/original\/file-20180207-74476-yuoi9u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=352&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205407\/original\/file-20180207-74476-yuoi9u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=352&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205407\/original\/file-20180207-74476-yuoi9u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=352&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\" alt=\"A panel from a Fantastic Four comic.\" width=\"600\" height=\"280\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Fantastic Four were amazed by the scientific ingenuity of Wakanda in \u2018Whosoever Finds The Evil Eye.\u2019 Fantastic Four #54 (September 1966). [Marvel Comics]<\/figcaption><\/figure>Black Panther eventually got to star in his own series of comics. He was turned into a nuanced and complex character, moving well away from the tropes of his beginnings. Writer Don McGregor\u2019s work started this development as early as 1973, but Black Panther\u2019s journey to the multilayered character you see on screen was greatly advanced by the efforts of several writers with diverse perspectives. Perhaps most notably, in the context of the film, these include Christopher Priest (late 1990s) and Ta-Nehisi Coates (starting in 2016), along with Roxane Gay and Yona Harvey, writing in \u201cWorld of Wakanda\u201d (2016). Coates and Gay, already best-selling literary writers before coming to the character, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2016\/07\/23\/books\/black-panther-marvel-comics-roxane-gay-ta-nehisi-coates-wakanda.html?_r=0\">helped bring him to wider attention<\/a> beyond normal comic book fandom, partly paving the way for the movie.<\/p>\n<p>Through all of the improved writing of T&#8217;Challa and his world, his spectacular scientific ability has remained prominent. Wakanda continues to be a successful African nation with astonishing science and technology. Furthermore, and very importantly, T&#8217;Challa is not portrayed as an anomaly among his people in this regard. There are many great scientists and engineers in the Wakanda of the comics, including his sister Shuri. In some accounts, she (in the continued scientist-ranking business of comics) is an even greater intellect than he is. In the movie, T\u2019Challa\u2019s science and engineering abilities are referred to, but it is his sister Shuri who takes center stage in this role, having taken over to design the new tools and weapons he uses in the field. She also uses Wakandan science to heal wounds that would have been fatal elsewhere in the world.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205385\/original\/file-20180207-74506-voxz8z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205385\/original\/file-20180207-74506-voxz8z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205385\/original\/file-20180207-74506-voxz8z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205385\/original\/file-20180207-74506-voxz8z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205385\/original\/file-20180207-74506-voxz8z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205385\/original\/file-20180207-74506-voxz8z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205385\/original\/file-20180207-74506-voxz8z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https:\/\/images.theconversation.com\/files\/205385\/original\/file-20180207-74506-voxz8z.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w\" alt=\"Photo of the character of Shuri from Black Panther. \" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Black Panther isn\u2019t an isolated genius \u2013 his half-sister Shuri is a technological wiz herself. (Marvel Studios.)<span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>If they can do it, then why not me?<\/h2>\n<p>As a scientist who cares about inspiring more people \u2013 including underrepresented minorities and women \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/new-ways-scientists-can-help-put-science-back-into-popular-culture-84955\">to engage with science<\/a>, I think that showing a little of this scientific landscape in \u201cBlack Panther\u201d potentially amplifies the movie\u2019s cultural impact.<\/p>\n<p>Vast audiences see black heroes of both genders using their scientific ability to solve problems and make their way in the world, at an unrivaled level. <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/daphna-oyserman\/identity\/\">Research has shown<\/a> that such representation can have a positive effect on the interests, outlook and career trajectories of viewers.<\/p>\n<p>Improving science education for all is a core endeavor in a nation\u2019s competitiveness and overall health, but outcomes are limited if people aren\u2019t inspired to take an interest in science in the first place. There simply are <a href=\"http:\/\/annenberg.usc.edu\/research\/aii\/research\/raceethnicity\">not enough images of black scientists<\/a> \u2013 male or female \u2013 in our media and entertainment to help inspire. Many people from underrepresented groups end up genuinely believing that scientific investigation is <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1949-8594.2002.tb18217.x\">not a career path open to them<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, many people still see the dedication and study needed to excel in science as \u201cnerdy.\u201d A cultural injection of Black Panther heroics helps continue to erode the crumbling tropes that science is <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/most-people-think-man-when-they-think-scientist-how-can-we-kill-the-stereotype-42393\">only for white men<\/a> or reserved for <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/beliefs-about-innate-talent-may-dissuade-students-from-stem-42967\">people with a special \u201cscience gene.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The huge widespread success of the \u201cBlack Panther\u201d movie, showcasing T&#8217;Challa, Shuri and other Wakandans as highly accomplished scientists, remains one of the most significant boosts for science engagement in recent times.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>This is an updated version of <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/the-hidden-superpower-of-black-panther-scientist-role-models-91042\">an article originally published<\/a> on Feb. 8, 2018.<\/em><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Clifford V. Johnson is the author of:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mitpress.mit.edu\/books\/dialogues-1\">The Dialogues: Conversations about the Nature of the Universe<\/a><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/112268\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p>MIT Press provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/clifford-johnson-412306\">Clifford Johnson<\/a>, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, <em><a href=\"http:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/university-of-southern-california-dornsife-college-of-letters-arts-and-sciences-2669\">University of Southern California \u2013 Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>This article is republished from <a href=\"http:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/black-panther-and-its-science-role-models-inspire-more-than-just-movie-awards-112268\">original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n        \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-related-stories \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-related-stories\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n    \n                  <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/the-hidden-superpower-of-black-panther-scientist-role-models\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >The hidden superpower of &#8216;Black Panther&#8217;: Scientist role models<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/five-secrets-from-clifford-johnsons-new-graphic-book-on-the-science-of-the-universe\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >Five secrets from Clifford Johnson\u2019s new graphic book on the science of the universe<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/aladdin-movie-and-hollywood-stereotyping\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >How the new <em>Aladdin<\/em> stacks up against a century of Hollywood stereotyping<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The portrayal of its lead characters as scientists and engineers is a groundbreaking achievement, says physics and astronomy professor Clifford Johnson.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":3723,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[261,77,87,93,83],"class_list":["post-3720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science-and-technology","tag-astronomy","tag-diversity-equity-and-inclusion","tag-expert-viewpoint","tag-physics","tag-the-conversation"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>\u2018Black Panther\u2019 and its science role models inspire more than just movie awards<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Black Panther&#039;s portrayal of scientists and engineers is a groundbreaking achievement, says physics and astronomy professor Clifford Johnson.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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