Conclusion
Big oil, food giants, and restaurant chains have windfall profits at record levels as U.S. real wages plunge. These record profits gotten by oil and gas companies are unprecedented too. Corporate profit gouging is not new as these actions have existed for centuries and thousands of years. Oil magnates ignore Biden's call for holding them accountable for their actions. Mike Sommers, President of the American Petroleum Institute said that he wants the Biden administration to address the supply and demand imbalance. This means that he wants Biden to open up more to the fossil fuel industry to increase oil profits. The problem is that Exxon Mobil and Chevron (the largest U.S. oil companies) have a record or near-record profits for the July-September quarter of 2022. Many of these monopoly companies are not using their profits to reduce prices or increase production. They have raided dividends and carried out massive stock buybacks to enrich their big investors. Exxon Mobil raised its stock dividend of fund shareholders in return for excess cash. You can't make this stuff up. Central bank handouts to Wall Street, and other issues contributed to the inflation problem in American society. We know that the suspect involved in the assault of Paul Pelosi confessed to his actions. The suspect wanted to find Speaker Nancy Pelosi and hold her hostage. He posted memes and conspiracy theories on Facebook about the 2020 election and the January 6th attack. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins spoke at a press conference on Monday on the case. Some far right people are mocking the attack for political reasons. Elon Musk also promoted false information about the attack too. Many MAGA Republicans try to normalize political violence. The DOJ has charged the attacker with federal crimes too. This rhetoric and violence is not new, but it is still reprehensible.
Some promote the lie that voting doesn't matter, or this 2022 midterm election doesn't matter. It is obvious that the GOP promotes voter suppression laws, stopping student loan cancellation relief, banning gun control policies, and seeking economically regressive actions like tax cut increases for the super-wealthy. Some GOP people outright believe in the lie that the 2020 election was stolen. Some Republicans are bigots who hate anybody who isn't a white person. Therefore, we know what time it is. Voting matters, because voting helps to make changes to help the poor, the middle class, the oppressed, the homeless, and any human being. These far-right liars talk about crime, but they offer no solutions for crime that involve gun control, intervention programs, public investments in giving people jobs and economic power, and rehabilitation programs in prisons that will reduce crime. They talk about the issues in urban cities, but gentrification, tax cuts for the rich, lax investments, mass incarceration, austerity, and other evils (found in many urban communities) aren't progressive policies. These policies have been done by far-right people and neoliberal moderates for decades.
The Dominion Company is suing FOX News for defamation for promoting election fraud claims. The 1.6 billion dollar defamation suit from Dominion is very serious. Trump has lied that Dominion has used tactics to cheat the 2020 election. Trump falsely accused Dominion to flip votes in favor of Biden. Dominion CEO's said that people used paper to record elections, so recounts can be more efficient. Everyone knows that FOX News is a biased network in favor of Trump and the Republicans. We know that many FOX news hosts have so much bias that it is really overt that their mission is to blame liberals and progressives for everything wrong in the world. Dominion said that people's lives have been harmed by election-denying extremists. Also, Dominion said that FOX News knew that the election fraud claims were fraud, but FOX continued to promote the great lie in public among FOX News hosts and others for weeks. The common myth that many Republicans do is to blame Biden for inflation. That is false, because one man can't control every aspect of the economy. The Republicans are overt in wanting to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Many Republicans refused to believe in negotiating drug prices to make sure that prescription drugs are cheaper. Inflation is caused by the pandemic, supply chain disruption, corporate greed, and other reasons. Inflation is not caused by wage increases as wages are increasing slower. Corporations are raising prices too high causing inflation in American society. Wealthy corporations now have record profits. Federal assistance to those suffering from the pandemic-induced recession didn't overheat the economy. The assistance gave people and families the means to stay afloat. The Democrats passed policies to try to reduce inflation. Fighting inflation can be stopped by windfall taxes and using policies to decrease the power of economic monopolies.
In 2022, one of the most important popular culture movies is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Other issues will be mentioned here, but first, an overview of the movie must be shown first. The movie is based on the superhero film of the Marvel Comics character of Black Panther. The movie was produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Being the sequel to Black Panther (2018), new storylines are in the film of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It's the 30th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Ryan Coogler directed the movie and co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole. There are many starring actors and actresses in the film who are: Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Florence Kasumba, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Tenoch Huerta, Martin Freeman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Angela Bassett. The movie outlines the leaders of Wakanda fighting constantly to protect their nation in the wake of King T'Challa's death. It was first released in Hollywood on October 26, 2022, and released in the United States of America on November 11, 2022. The movie had an estimated $250 million budget with its box office being larger than its budget. The plot of the movie is very unique.
The movie starts with T'Challa or King of Wakanda dying from an illness. His sister, Shuri believes that he can be cured with the "heart shaped herb." Shuri tries to synthetically recreate the herb after it was destroyed by Kilmonger. Yet, she fails to do so, and T'Challa passed away. One year later, Wakanda experienced pressure from other nations to share their vibranium, with some parties wanting to steal it by force. Queen Ramonda implores Shuri to continue her research on the heart-shaped herb, hoping to create a new Black Panther that will defend Wakanda, but she refuses due to her belief that the Black Panther is a figure of the past. In the Atlantic Ocean, the CIA and U.S. Navy SEALs utilize a vibranium-detecting machine to locate a potential vibranium deposit underwater. The expedition is attacked and killed by a group of blue-skinned water-breathing superhumans led by Namor, with the CIA believing Wakanda to be responsible. Namor confronts Ramonda and Shuri, easily bypassing Wakanda's advanced security. Blaming Wakanda for the vibranium race, he gives them an ultimatum: deliver him the scientist responsible for the vibranium-detecting machine, or he will attack Wakanda.
Shuri and Okoye learn from CIA agent Everett K. Ross that the scientist in question is MIT student Riri Williams and arrive at the university to confront her. The group is pursued by the FBI and then by Namor's warriors, who defeat Okoye before taking Shuri and Williams underwater to meet Namor. Angered by Okoye's failure to protect Shuri, Ramonda strips her of her title as general of the Dora Milaje and seeks out Nakia, who has been living in Haiti since the Blip. Namor shows Shuri his vibranium-rich underwater kingdom of Talokan, which he has protected for centuries from discovery by the world. Bitter at the surface world for enslaving the Maya, Namor proposes an alliance with Wakanda against the rest of the world but threatens to destroy Wakanda first if they refuse. Nakia helps Shuri and Williams escape, and Namor retaliates with an attack against Wakanda, during which Ramonda drowns saving Williams. Namor vows to return in a week with his full army, and the citizens of Wakanda relocate to the Jabari mountains for their safety. Meanwhile, Ross is arrested by his ex-wife and CIA director, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, for secretly exchanging classified intelligence with the Wakandans.
After Ramonda's funeral, Shuri uses a remnant of the herb that gave Namor's people their superhuman abilities to reconstruct the heart-shaped herb. She ingests it, gaining superhuman abilities and meeting Killmonger in the Ancestral Plane, who urges her to seek revenge. Shuri dons a new Black Panther suit and is accepted by the other Wakandan tribes as the Black Panther. Despite M'Baku's urges for peace, Shuri is determined to exact vengeance on Namor for Ramonda's death and orders an immediate counterattack on Talokan. Preparing for battle, with Ayo assuming the position of general of the Dora Milaje, Shuri bestows the Midnight Angel armor upon Okoye, who in turn recruits Dora Milaje member Aneka to join her. Williams creates an Iron Man-esque powered exoskeleton to aid the Wakandans.
Using a seafaring vessel, the Wakandans lure Namor and his warriors to the surface as a battle ensues. Shuri traps Namor in a fighter aircraft, intending to dry him out and weaken him. The pair crashes on a desert beach and fight. Shuri gains the upper hand but realizes the similarities between their paths and implores Namor to yield, offering him a peaceful alliance. Namor accepts, and the battle ends. Namor's cousin, Namora, is upset at Namor's surrender, but Namor reassures her that their new alliance will allow them to conquer the surface world one day. Williams returns to MIT, leaving her suit behind, while Okoye rescues Ross from captivity. Shuri plants more heart-shaped herbs to ensure the future of the Black Panther mantle. In Shuri's absence, M'Baku steps forward to challenge the throne. Shuri visits Nakia in Haiti where she burns her funeral ceremonial robe in accordance with Ramonda's wishes, allowing herself to finally grieve T'Challa.
In a mid-credits scene, Shuri learns that Nakia and T'Challa had a son named Toussaint, who Nakia has been raising in secret far from the pressure of the throne. Toussaint reveals his Wakandan name is T'Challa. The new Black Panther and later Queen of Wakanda is Shuri (played by Letitia Wright). Nakia is played by Lupita Nyong'o. Danai Gurira played Okoye or the general of Dora Milaje. The Dora Milaje is the all-women special forces of Wakanda. Her husband, W'Kabi, was imprisoned after the events of the previous film. We know that Winston Duke plays M'Baku. Florence Kasumba played Ayo or second in command of the women warriors. Dominique Thorne played Riri Williams (or the genius MIT student). Michaela Coel played Aneka. Tenoch Heurta played Namor or the king of Talokan. He is called the feathered serpent god of K'uk'ulkan. Angela Bassett played Ramonda or the Sovereign Queen Mother of Wakanda. Martin Freeman played Everett K. Ross or the CIA agent, Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the ex wife of Ross who is Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
Additionally, Michael B. Jordan reprises his MCU role as N'Jadaka / Erik "Killmonger" Stevens. Isaach de Bankolé, Dorothy Steel (in her final, posthumous role), and Danny Sapani reprise their roles as the Wakandan River Tribe, Merchant Tribe, and Border Tribe elders, respectively. Connie Chiume reprises her role as Zawavari, previously the Mining Tribe Elder, but now the Elder Statesman, taking over the role held by Zuri from the first film. Mabel Cadena portrays Namor's cousin Namora, while Alex Livinalli portrays the Talokanil warrior Attuma, and María Mercedes Coroy portrays Princess Fen, Namor's mother. Lake Bell and Robert John Burke appear as Dr. Graham and Smitty, respectively, a pair of CIA officials in charge of the vibranium mining operation. Richard Schiff appears as the U.S. Secretary of State, while Kamaru Usman appears as a naval officer. Comedian Trevor Noah reprises his role from the first film as Griot, an A.I. developed by Shuri. Archive footage from previous MCU films of Boseman as T'Challa / Black Panther is used in the film's ending, with Divine Love Konadu-Sun appearing as Toussaint, T'Challa and Nakia's son. The film production started in Atlanta, Georgia on June 29, 2021 at Trilith Studios.
In September 2021, it was revealed that Ludwig Göransson was set to return as composer for the sequel. His score was released by Hollywood Records on November 11, 2022.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Prologue, a soundtrack extended play, was released by Hollywood Records and Marvel Music on July 25, 2022, and includes Tems' cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry", which was used in the film's teaser trailer, "A Body, a Coffin" by Amaarae, and "Soy" by Santa Fe Klan. Göransson produced all three songs, and co-wrote "A Body, a Coffin" with Amaarae, Kyu Steed, KZ, Cracker Mallo, and Maesu. In late October 2022, it was announced that the film's lead single would be "Lift Me Up" by Rihanna, written by Tems, Göransson, Rihanna, and Coogler, as a tribute to Boseman. It marks its first solo musical output from Rihanna since 2016 and was released on October 28, through Westbury Road, Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings, and Hollywood Records. Tems stated she wanted to write a song that "portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life." "Lift Me Up" was featured on the film's soundtrack, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music from and Inspired By, which was released on November 4, 2022, by Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings, and Hollywood Records.
As of November 18, 2022, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has grossed $238.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $187.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $425.8 million. The film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was emotional and showed a fitting tribute to one of the greatest actors of all time, being Chadwick Boseman. The film wanted to be a eulogy for Chadwick Boseman. Also, the film tackled the complex issues of foreign policy, health, healing, race, alliances, and the issue of negotiation. The movies showed the complex themes of how Western imperial powers wanted to control a major resource in Wakanda. Wakanda has tons of outstanding black people, but Wakanda is still a Kingdom (which is a monarchy) filled with hesitancy to cause a global revolution to help black people globally and other oppressed people with their super-advanced technology. For the most part, Wakanda exists in isolation. Angela Bassett and Huerta gave powerful performances in showing the importance plus emotion. The movie represented a transition from the older leaders of Wakanda to the younger leaders of Wakanda. Shuri has the power of Black Panther now, and she is going through controversies and growing pains like all new leaders experience from time to time.
There are 2 major critiques of the film that I will address. One form of critics are sexists, Hoteps, and chauvinists like Judge Joe Brown (who admitted that he is a male chauvinist and proud of it. Joe Brown didn't want Harriet Tubman on the twenty-dollar bill) claiming that the movie omits black men, give women too much power, and is an "agenda" filled film. We know this nonsense is sexist and bigoted, but we have to address it. The truth is that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is meant to be a tribute to the black man Chadwick Boseman (one of the greatest actors of all time). It doesn't get more pro-black man than that. Also, the movie showing black women warriors is hardly against black people when black men and black women warriors existed throughout human history for thousands of years. The plot of the film existed after Bozeman's passing, not as a way to bash the dignity of black men. Other criticism of the film comes from independent progressives like Dr. Jared Ball. Dr. Ball's argument is that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever lacks a real opportunity to form an alliance with Namor to take on Western imperialists. Dr. Ball see the battles of Wakanda and Namor's kingdom as an example of the oppressed fighting each other while the white racist pan-European elites laugh all the way to the bank. Dr. Ball writes that Wakanda seeks a reactionary isolationism (in league with the powers that be) not a revolutionary, radical internationalist solidarity movement. There goes one legitimate weakness of Wakanda Forever. The film doesn't show even Wakanda being part of a pan-African movement to liberate oppressed people from imperialism and racial global injustices, even in Africa.
Wakanda is for only Wakanda (with even an alliance with CIA agents) is the message, unfortunately. The strength of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is that it showed a real, excellent tribute to Chadwick Bozeman, outlined the beauty of black African culture, showed powerful performances from actors and actresses, and outlined the multifaceted nature of human existence. Dr. Ball's critique does have merit, because our black people have a known history to be involved in many solidarity movements like the Non-Aligned Movement, Fred Hampton's Rainbow Coalition, and other solidarity actions like the Bandung. Today, solidarity movements are common. Also, it is important to note that our Blackness should not be based on solidarity movements. In other words, our Blackness stands alone as we are the first humans on this Earth. We can use our black self-determination to form our institutions and our liberation on our own terms as black people. That is real talk. Wakanda Forever would have been better if the movie showed Wakanda having the alliance to confront Western imperialism indeed. Even in our generation, positive films about Pan-Africanism, socialism, black culture, real black history, and revolutionary politics are taboo. Likewise, our black voices matter. The lesson of this film is that we must be inspired to show our voices and not apologize for our pro-Pan-African progressive views. The movie should inspire us to study revolutionary scholars from DuBois, Malcolm X, Ella Baker, Queen Mother Moore, Dhourba bin-Wahad, and others who helped to change the world. As a free-thinking human being, do your own research. You can love the film or not. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has been part of our history and culture despite its imperfections. This movie certainly will inspire future actors, actresses, directors, producers, and others (who are black people) to outline their own creativity. My view is that Black Panther Wakanda Forever has many great strengths and some weaknesses, but it is a movie that does hold dear the legacy of Chadwick Boseman and other black heroes who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Our Brothers and our Sisters deserve that respect in our lives. Likewise, we should gain lessons from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in order to make our life better and better for the people that we love.
RIP Chadwick Boseman.
The breaking news is that there is another tragic mass shooting in Chesapeake, Virginia. Chesapeake is near North Carolina in Southeastern Virginia. First responders saved many lives. Battlefield Blvd. is one of the busiest streets in Chesapeake. This is personal for me because this is my backyard. This is in the 757 or Hampton, Roads, Virginia region. Innocent people were just working in a local Walmart, and a cowardly murderer murdered 6 people. The injured are fighting for their lives at Norfolk Sentara Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. Gun violence doesn't discriminate. It harms people in every background, in cities, in rural areas, and in all places in between. The murderer committed suicide. This mass shooting comes years after another mass shooting took place in the 757 at Virginia Beach, Virginia. The murderer was a person who once worked as an employee at Walmart. He killed people in a break room and harmed other employees. We express empathy and sympathy to the victims' families and friends of this tragedy. This is the 3rd mass shooting in America in the past week alone (at Colorado Springs, at Charlottesville, and at Chesapeake). Two of the three of these tragedies took place in my home state of Virginia. We know what the solutions are to address mass gun violence in America (like gun regulations, federal background checks, waiting periods, addressing mental health issues, gun education, community intervention, investments in communities, etc.), but we have some unyielding, reluctant Congressional people who care more for guns than human lives. A gun is not God, and it is not infallible. It's a man-made tool. Progressive action is a necessity to save and enhance human lives. enhance
By Timothy
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