On Aug. 28, 2020 the world was rocked with another loss.
In the year characterized by the ongoing battle against COVID-19, a death with no relation occurred. Chadwick Boseman, known for his role in the Black Panther film and many other influential roles, lost his four-year battle against colorectal cancer. Although the loss is one the world won’t heal from soon, Boseman left behind a legacy that won’t be forgotten and was made special by his kindness and compassion for others.
Kylee Bruso, a freshman in Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) business program thought that Boseman’s most influential role was that of King T’Challa in Black Panther.
“[It] was already a big franchise, and for his kind spirit to be in that, it opened the world to him, and I feel like that’s what made him the biggest and more influential in everyone’s lives,” Bruso said.
Boseman’s involvement in the film, which originated from comics, was the first time a black superhero had been in mainstream American comics. This played a huge hand in providing representation for African American audiences. Often, they don’t have the chance to see themselves in mainstream media.
It also gave children the chance to see that despite the hardships they may face, there’s always someone out there who will fight for what they believe in.
A Metro UK article published on Aug. 29, 2020 said in 2018, Boseman took the time to visit kids fighting cancer, while being two years into his own battle with cancer.
Although he was undoubtedly struggling with his own sickness, Chadwick still took the time to spread a little joy to children who needed a little happiness in their life.
But his kindness spread further than just children who were facing the same battle he was. Bruso also said that Boseman “affected so many peoples’ lives from ages six and up.”
Boseman took the time, over and over again, to talk to those who had the chance to meet him on the street. According to a HOLA! Article published Aug. 30, 2020, Boseman was visiting a Samuel French film and theater bookstore to purchase some new plays. Another man came up to him, and they spent the next half an hour talking.
During that time, Boseman gave advice to the young aspiring black actor about what it was like to be a black man in the industry, and how to navigate it.
When Boseman went to leave, he brought a stack of books up to the counter and bought them for the man so he wouldn’t have to worry about being able to afford them. What was most likely a small act of kindness for Boseman probably meant the world to the other man.
The world will be forever impacted by the man Chadwick Boseman was.
“He was always super nice to everyone and had a positive outlook on life that definitely inspires me today,” Bruso said.
