Exploring the Greco-Roman Influence in Black Panther
Peter Meineck, a distinguished Professor of Classics at New York University, recently shared insights into the intricate ties between Black Panther and Greco-Roman mythology, particularly highlighting the significance of Killmonger’s museum scene. In an interview with Vanity Fair, he articulated the profound cultural implications of this pivotal moment in the film.
The Role of Ancestor Worship
“You know, ancestor worship is an enormous part of both Greek and Roman culture. The old had very high status in ancient societies because they were the fount of knowledge. The Romans actually would take death masks of their ancestors, clay versions of them, and then at certain festivals they would wear the masks of their ancestors, and they would parade through the streets in them.”
The Museum’s Impact
Meineck expressed a critical view on how cultural artifacts are treated in modern contexts, noting,
“To take that mask and put it in a glass case in a museum is the worst thing you can do to that mask. That mask’s supposed to be worn by a performer who’s been imbued in a whole culture of dancing and performing and telling those stories over centuries. And now, it’s become like an aesthetic object with a price on it, and I think this movie actually shows that really well.”
Cultural Disconnection and Empowerment
He elaborated further on the disconnect experienced by characters from their cultural heritage, pointing out that Killmonger, in particular, exemplifies this dilemma. He stated:
“Here’s a character from that culture who’s not really allowed to interface with material from his own culture and is actually being schooled on it by somebody who’s not from that culture. It’s about access, right? And I think one of the things this does is it shows us how if you remove an object from the stories that are told about it and the way it’s performed, is that object still operating the same way?”
Redefining Identity Through Objects
In the film, the narrative takes a turn as Killmonger appropriates a mask, illustrating his complex relationship with his ancestry:
“I love it that he takes a mask at the end, and that becomes his character. And even though he uses it in a negative way, for him, it empowers him and that’s his connection with his ancestors. You know, I think often we see these objects in museums, but we don’t think about them in their real cultural context. The ‘Black Panther’ movie makes people think about that.”
A Call for Cultural Sensitivity
Through his analysis, Meineck urges audiences to reconsider how we perceive artifacts in museums—emphasizing the importance of understanding their cultural significance and original context.
Further Exploration
For more insights, you can watch the full interview [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khsNsa3-VqQ).
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