The Black Panther franchise has been an extraordinary showcase of African cultures as well as a celebration of Pan Africanism, the unity and shared struggle of people of African descent on the continent, as well as in the Americas, Caribbean and around the world. Keeping with this theme, the new movie has several scenes set in Haiti, whereT’Challa’s partner Nakia has relocated after the events of the first movie. One last spoiler warning if you haven’t yet seen the movie all the way to the end. In the mid-credits scene of the film, Shuri returns to Haiti, where Nakia introduces her to the young Prince T’Challa, the son of Nakia and the deceased king. The prince first introduces himself by his “Haitian name” Toussaint. This is a direct reference to Toussaint Louverture, a formerly enslaved Haitian who became the leader of the Haitian Revolution and helped to free that country from slavery and colonial rule, establishing it as the world’s first Black republic. Long after his death at the hands of the French. Toussaint and Haiti inspired freedom fighters across the Caribbean and Latin America, in the United States, and in Africa.

These are just some of the political messages and themes that run throughout Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Like the first film, the cast and crew have put together a sequel that mixes emotion, action, and deep political and social reflections that linger long after the movie is over. As moviegoers enjoy the film, it will hopefully – as is the case for many powerful works of art – spark larger conversations about our past and present.