*Yibambe” is a battle cry which roughly translates to “Hold the Line/Hold fast/Hold Strong” It’s in Xhosa, a language originating in South Africa.

Brother Chadwick means a lot to me and mine, and more broadly, our “shining black prince” means the world to all who strive for affirmative change and dismantling White Supremacy.

Chadwick Boseman died at his home in Los Angeles with his wife Simone Taylor and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante said Friday. Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement.

Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman: minds are opening

A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much — The Boseman Family

Brother Chadwick had not spoken publicly about his diagnosis. It is believed he married his long-term partner, the singer Simone Taylor Ledward, earlier this year.

The couple had no children. Yet, in a way, he had millions, like mine, of all colors, nationalities, and creeds who were educated, inspired, and entertained by his work.

Boseman paid tribute to his wife Simone Taylor, in his acceptance speech at the 2019 NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles, where he won the trophy for outstanding actor in a motion picture.

He said: “Simone, you’re with me every day. I have to acknowledge you right now. Love you.”

Yibambe!

As we grieve him. The gifts of his body of work and superhuman fortitude are enduring examples he set for my children I will always be grateful for. I wrote about his impact as Tchalla on my family and I in my review of Black Panther. – “Remember When We Were Sidekicks?-Black Panther & Comic Book Politics”

We must absorb the best of what he gave to us like the “heart-shaped herb” that gave The Black Panther his power and make it our own. In that way, Brother Chadwick will always be with us. His talent elevated not only Black Panther but his entire body of work.

He imbued himself within every portrayal, and by watching his filmography, in hindsight made even more incredible knowing now how he suffered while filming it, we shall continue to carry what he meant to us within our lives, his pride, his intelligence, his strength, his love, his compassion.

Only Chadwick could embody Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, and T’Challa. He, too, knew what it meant to persevere. To summon real strength. And he belongs right there with them as a hero—for Black kids and for all our kids. There’s no better gift to give our world. ❤ pic.twitter.com/t2tjZDMxNT

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 29, 2020

This indelible inspiration to his people is his legacy. And yes. That his last tweet was that of embracing Kamala Harris is both appropriate and fitting as America, battered and bruised as she is today, suffering from 4 years of Trumpism, COVID and Economic Collapse, looks to depose what seems like an unstoppable foe this November 3rd.

In an ironic parallel, Brother Chadwick’s friend and co-star Chris Evans similarly bruised and battered but resolute as Captain America in the third act of “Avengers Endgame” when the Black Panther strode through that portal, first flanked by Sisters Letitia Wright and Danai Gurira, this tweet featuring the audience reaction, brought me back to that moment that gave me hope for November.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ live audience reaction because… because we need it right now.

Biggest scene in cinematic history, and who’s the first character to walk out of the portal and into the light?

Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther.

Rest In Peace.pic.twitter.com/48YC4GAqy3

— Post Cred Pod (@PostCredPod) August 29, 2020

For all organizing Black Panther Watch Parties, do that, but as you enrich Disney, Save our democracy first. Consider multitasking and organize your elders or others who may need assistance registering and voting this year.

Before you read on. Please register to vote.

YES @KamalaHarris! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾#WhenWeAllVote #Vote2020 pic.twitter.com/iOU3duBAcA

— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 11, 2020

Yibambe!

Brother Chadwick’s life shined like a beacon, a light to show us the way.

I call Chadwick “Brother”. Though we share no direct kinship, he’s my family.

I’ve never met him, yet his struggles are our struggles. His success is our success.

Though he was a well-known celebrity, he was first a Black Man in America. We both share all that comes with that identity.

South African actor Father John Kani, who played T’chaka, used his own language to stand in for “Wakandan” along with Brother Chadwick during the filming of Captain America: Civil War.

Some will find this post “disgusting“ or ”distasteful“, call it “inspiration porn” or somehow “exploitive” to remind all of the well documented political views Brother Chadwick held or even that he was a Black Man in AmeriKKKa

That’s fine.

Do you.

From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilsons Ma Raineys Black Bottom and several more – all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honour of his career to bring King TChalla to life in Black Panther. — Boseman Family

Sticks & stones friend. I’m a black man in America as well. I’ve been called everything but a Child Of God.

Being born Black in America is a political act.

Your personal discomfort is not going to stop me from speaking up. Do you know what is really disgusting? With all his wealth and privilege, Brother Chadwick still succumbed to colon cancer.

A treatable, and survivable disease if caught early enough. Studies have shown black people are less likely to be screened diagnosed, treated, and survive cancers than whites in America.

If not now? When are we allowed to speak about the racial injustice Brother Chadwick spent his ENTIRE life and career standing up against?

There is an alarming health care gap between black and white Americans literally from birth. It was found recently black babies are more likely to survive cared for by black physicians.

Yibambe!

In a country that can exalt the virtues of a loudmouth, privileged son of a Nazi Sympathizer, serial sexual predator, thief, and liar? That proudly enshrined slave owners and defended statuary of treasonous southern secessionists?

The universal outpouring of praise and love for this black man, in a society hobbled by typically negative messages about us is appropriate counter-programming and should not be overlooked nor impeded, particularly by White, Black, or Brown pearl-clutchers or apologists.

For Black Life to truly matter. We demand equal access to Preventative Medical Care, Affordable Housing, Public Educational systems that teach Black excellence, not just about slavery & Jim Crow every February. Eliminate food scarcity and provide more access to fresh fruits & vegetables and less to fast food.

Not being murdered by Police is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the value our society places on Black Lives.

Yibambe!

I laugh at petty condemnations in the face of racism stirred up and condoned by this proto-fascist administration. The old “southern strategy” wasn’t lost on Brother Chadwick he was from South Carolina. The heart of the Old Confederacy.

During his Fascist, Hatch Act flaunting National Convention, this president, and many other speakers urged his frightened white constituents to vote “law and order” and old Nixonian dog whistle about fearing black and brown mobs and said only Mr. Trump can “Bring peace to the streets of U.S. cities.”

All while unleashing his secret police forces, infiltrators and whipping up Trump Supporters to have free reign to shoot and kill individuals in his name?

Fuck that noise.

You wanna show love for #ChadwickBoseman find a reputable charity here

Make no mistake. Win, lose or draw. We aren’t out of the woods on November 4th. Trump may (or may not) leave the White House, but “Trumpism” will still be alive and well. “Hold the Line/Holdfast/Hold Strong” is an important enduring message to remember.

Chadwick came to the White House to work with kids when he was playing Jackie Robinson. You could tell right away that he was blessed. To be young, gifted, and Black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain – what a use of his years. https://t.co/KazXV1e7l7

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 29, 2020

Our economy, our health, our spirts our very lives are on the line, as a people, we must refocus, rebuild, and make ourselves stronger for the continued fights to come.

More than White Nationals, or COVID, complacency is still our deadliest enemy.

That we all can aspire to be the change we wish to see and work through pain and adversity, spending what precious time we have allotted, to educate ourselves and inspire our children to “Redeem The Soul of our Nation” as Civil Rights Icon Rep. John Lewis bade us to do in his New York Times Op-Ed after his passing?

We can do no less than follow the example Brother Chadwick set for us. Wakanda Forever!