Winston Duke Explains the Cultural Power of ‘Black Panther’

The actor discusses the groundbreaking movie's role in the current moment.

Winston Duke takes a selfie with fans at "Extra" at Universal Studios Hollywood on February 19, 2018 in Universal City, California.  (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
Winston Duke takes a selfie with fans at "Extra" at Universal Studios Hollywood on February 19, 2018 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
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A new article in Esquire catches up with Winston Duke, one of Black Panther’s breakout stars. As M’Baku, Duke arrives on screen to challenge the young king of Wakanda, Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa, to a combat duel under a waterfall, marking one of the Marvel cinematic universe’s greatest debuts. Duke grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, where his community was predominantly black, Indian, and indigenous, and the media he watched reflected that. It was only when his family immigrated to the US that he started to see black people portrayed as villains and victims in movies and TV. Knowing how profound empowering cultural representation can be, Duke believes in the mission of Black Panther. “It was a deep, wonderful respite from the current events,” Duke told Esquire of shooting the film. “It challenged the national narratives of what it means to be a citizen of a country.”

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