How does the rhetoric enhance, change, or complicate Blackness the scene where T'Challa show Killmonger the Wakandan land at the end of the movie in Black Panther?
Show textual evidence
In the scene you mentioned from the movie Black Panther, T'Challa shows Killmonger the beautiful Wakandan land, which has remained hidden from the outside world for centuries. This moment encapsulates the ways in which rhetoric enhances, changes, and complicates Blackness in the film.
Firstly, the rhetoric used by T'Challa is focused on showcasing the beauty, power, and richness of Wakanda. T'Challa wants to demonstrate to Killmonger the potential that exists within their Black nation. He aims to persuade Killmonger to abandon his destructive plans by revealing to him the utopian society that Wakanda has managed to build, hidden from the rest of the world. T'Challa's rhetoric here enhances Blackness by presenting a fantastical vision of Black excellence, challenging the common stereotypes and misconceptions.
Furthermore, T'Challa's rhetoric changes Blackness by asserting and empowering Wakanda's status as a dominant and technologically advanced nation. By revealing the Wakandan land to Killmonger, T'Challa expects to change his perception and redirect his anger towards a more productive and inclusive path. T'Challa offers Killmonger the opportunity to be a part of the Wakandan society, altering his understanding of Blackness from one rooted in hostility and revenge to one that embraces unity and progress.
However, the scene also complicates Blackness by highlighting the internal tensions within the Black community and the diversity of opinions within it. While T'Challa uses rhetoric to unite and uplift, Killmonger represents the voice of those who have been oppressed and marginalized. Killmonger's response to T'Challa's rhetoric challenges the status quo, forcing viewers to question the ethical implications of Wakanda's isolationist policies and the responsibility they may have towards the African diaspora. This scene complicates Blackness by showcasing the ideological differences and debates within the Black community, recognizing that there is not a singular narrative that defines Blackness.
Textual evidence:
T'Challa: (Walks to the edge of the Wakandan land) "I'm not your enemy, Killmonger. I offer you a choice: yield or die."
Killmonger: "Hey, Auntie. I'm sorry, but... i-i-i believe the sun was... setting."
T'Challa: (Looks at the horizon, realizing Killmonger is right) "The sun sets here... But never rises." (He opens the border and reveals the Wakandan land)