Salute to Chadwick Boseman!

I woke up this past Friday morning to my wife telling me that Chadwick Boseman had passed. The news blew me away. He was too young, I thought. So I looked it up online and discovered that he died of colon cancer and had been battling with it for the past 4 years. I was blown away even more. Why? Because this meant he had cancer during all of the movies he did over the past 4 years, including Black Panther and his latest one, Da Five Bloods.

That right there is dedication.

Looking into it further, I discovered that no one even knew about it. None of his co-workers. Only close family members. This meant that he chose to endure this cancer journey without the public knowing, so that he could fulfill his obligations without making excuses for his illness.

That right there is purpose.

I remember watching a video he posted on Instagram a few months back to honor Jackie Robinson on Jackie Robinson day, where he looked extremely skinny in his face and neck. Though he looked a little sick, I figured maybe he had to slim up for his next role or something. But many media outlets held no punches and clowned him for his look and made  degrading comments about him. This meant that maybe Chadwick knew people would react this way, yet he still chose to come out and honor one of our ancestors.

That right there is selflessness.

Anyone who knows me know that my respect level for many celebrities is very low for obvious reasons. But Chadwick was different. Unlike so many black celebrities who could care less about black people, Chadwick truly loved us. I never meant him in person, but I could tell by his actions. The roles he played showed us in a positive light. In his interviews, he always spoke highly of us and openly stood up for us. And behind the scenes, he quietly worked to better our situation.

That right there is integrity.

So today, I just wanted to salute you, Chadwick Boseman for the phenomenal man that you are. Born and raised just 2 hours from me, you went on to impact the lives of millions who look just like us through your positive portrayal of black men on the screen; as well as the deeds you did behind the scenes. And although your life seems to have been cut short, you fulfilled your purpose king.

When you are deciding on the next steps, next jobs, next careers, further education, you should rather find purpose than a job or a career. Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you need to fulfill. Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose. – Chadwick Boseman

Thank you brother for all that you have done for us. Transition smoothly into the realm of ancestors. Ase!