Chadwick Boseman: Barrier-Breaker

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

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

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Right now I'm thinking about my 72 year-old father who'd never seen an MCU movie, but let me take him to Black Panther. How he lived through Jim Crow. How he said, at the end of the movie: "I never thought they'd put us onscreen like that." That's the impact of this body of work.

— Tracy Deonn (on hiatus) (@tracydeonn) August 29, 2020

You told OUR stories. You reminded us that we are royal. Thank you for all you shared. A truly remarkable & kind person. You are walking with the ancestors now. Rest easy, rest in power & in peace, Chadwick. Sending so much love to his family & loved ones. #RepresentationMatters pic.twitter.com/7zyPXjZzGR

— Tracee Ellis Ross (@TraceeEllisRoss) August 29, 2020

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https://twitter.com/jasnikki_/status/1299538259714899968

THANK YOU @chadwickboseman for all you gave us. We needed it & will always cherish it! A talented & giving artist & brother who will be sorely missed🙏🏿 RIP

— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 29, 2020

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One of my kindergarteners was Chadwick Boseman for Black History Month. He was so excited and talked about it for daaayyyyysssss. The way he influenced so many Black people to love their culture. So many Black kids saw themselves in him. Forever grateful. RIP King pic.twitter.com/vEUfheHJlP

— Bri🧌 (@Bri_Lu12) August 29, 2020

We were so right to celebrate Black Panther the way we did.

— The DarkSkin Duke of Pretty Violence Thighs (@wordsbyuchechi) August 29, 2020

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#RepresentationMatters pic.twitter.com/C4Chakiu6g

— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 22, 2018

It’s 5mins long but it’s worth every second to see the reaction of people when Chadwick Boseman surprises Black Panther fans. pic.twitter.com/JzfoE5GWBX

— Anisa Subedar (@TheAnisaSubedar) August 29, 2020

Young, Gifted, And Black

pic.twitter.com/aZ2JzDf5ai

— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020

Angela Bassett’s touching message about Chadwick💔 pic.twitter.com/3xswOcnntE

— Makho Ndlovu (@makhondlovu) August 29, 2020

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All Chadwick Boseman gave us in the last four years. Knowing he was sick. I can’t even begin to express gratitude, let alone the anguish. Thank you doesn’t even feel like enough, but I do thank him. I hope he rests well. I hope those close to him find comfort.

— herald of alien superstar (@Steph_I_Will) August 29, 2020

https://twitter.com/ZacharyWhitten/status/1299538237573279746

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https://twitter.com/LaBeautyologist/status/1299541362677747713

Chadwick was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, per reports. During that time, he gave us Civil War, Marshall, Black Panther, Infinity War, Endgame, 21 Bridges and Da 5 Bloods. Lord only knows what he was going through on a daily basis.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) August 29, 2020

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Chadwick Boseman getting emotional about trading letters with kids with terminal cancer who passed before they got to see Black Panther...knowing he was himself battling cancer when he said this. Jesus. pic.twitter.com/o6l6hUjanU

— David Dennis Jr. (@DavidDTSS) August 29, 2020

We never know what people are enduring. Humans...we are wonders.

Thank you, Chadwick, for gifting us with your greatness in the midst of a painful struggle. #ChadwickBoseman pic.twitter.com/YDLOLHxop6

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) August 29, 2020

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I interviewed Chadwick Boseman in 2017, and to think he was going through cancer while satisfying the physical demands of a Marvel movie...https://t.co/MAB1ZYdcGS pic.twitter.com/eLdear66IU

— Matt Jacobs (@majacobs) August 29, 2020

What he meant to Black kids everywhere. What he did for them. The worlds he helped them create and imagine, all while battling this illness.

My spirit hurts.

— Roseanne A. Brown 🎄⛄ (@rosiesrambles) August 29, 2020

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Anyone who has ever seen what cancer does to someone up close knows how debilitating & painful the disease is.

Chadwick still showed up to press runs, movie sets, screening events, fan visits, and award ceremonies in the midst of battling cancer.

Resilient isn’t even the word.

— Gia Peppers, A Virgo Grooving 💁🏾‍♀️ (@GiaPeppers) August 29, 2020

Chadwick Boseman's SNL sketch about Karen and her potato salad was freaking legendary. Dammit. pic.twitter.com/HAyBiaivMU

— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) August 29, 2020

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I keep thinking about my 3-year-old in his Black Panther costume. How he wore it almost every day when he got it, refused to take it off. The way he walked around saying “I’m the Black Panther.” How happy it made him. What Chadwick gave us was immeasurable. What an enormous loss.

— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) August 29, 2020

https://twitter.com/emotylol/status/1299531524904161280

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Chadwick was the first superhero a lot of black kids could really look up to and identify as. That kind of legacy is...unparalleled and today we found out he was a superhero in real life too, battling cancer while entertaining millions. That strength is rare, Rest in Power King.

— first-mate prance (@bocxtop) August 29, 2020

Chadwick really suffered through all of that for *us.* Think of all the stories he helped tell. All the people he helped find hope. All the Black children for whom he could be a powerful reflection?

Despite his own terminal pain.

I am astonished by the weight of that sacrifice

— brittany packnett cunningham. (@MsPackyetti) August 29, 2020

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To be young, gifted, and black. pic.twitter.com/Y8KRkadsVv

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 29, 2020

He was Jackie.
He was James.
He was Thurgood.
He was T'Challa.

He was brilliant.#ChadwickBoseman pic.twitter.com/A5iig7GE2i

— The Leadership Conference (@civilrightsorg) August 29, 2020

Teary Eyed Meeting President Obama

Fast forward to 1:05:33 (p.s. you should also watch the entire roundtable. Good conversation)