Chadwick Boseman alongside his wife, family, trusted confidants, and medical staff fought a private battle of colon cancer for four years before passing away on Friday, August 29th 2020. He was forty-three years old. The unexpected death of Chadwick Boseman is a shock to the world. People of all ages, stages, races and cultures are grieving everywhere the loss of Chadwick Boseman.
A proud alumnus of Howard University, a historically black college, Boseman will be remembered by many for playing the role of Hall of Fame baseball player Jacky Robinson, in the 2013 film “42”; the role of the “Godfather of soul” James Brown in the 2014 film “Get on Up”, and the historic, ground breaking character of T’Challa in the 2016 marvel avenger film “Captain America: Civil War”, and the 2018 marvel avenger film “Black Panther”. “Black Panther” earned more that 1.3 billion in the global box office, and is the only Marvel Studios film to receive a best picture Oscars nomination. In the 2017 film “Marshall”, Boseman played the distinguished role of Thurgood Marshall, the first ever African American Supreme Court Justice. He played the lead role in his first movie production, “21 Bridges” in 2019, amongst other accomplishments in the final days of life. It is amazing how purposeful and intentional of a life Chadwick Boseman led, particularly while fighting a terminal illness. The men of Black Men Table Talk solute Chadwick Boseman. Our condolences go out to his beloved wife, parents, family, friends and all others impacted by his death. “Wakanda Forever”.
As the Black Men Table Talk of the Central Valley continue to discuss, process, and reflect on the realities of being a black man in the 21st century, several topics came up last week, including, but not limited to:
· The origins of Christianity
· Education, being life-long students, learners, and researchers who are not afraid to ask tough questions about history
· Taking responsibility for our spiritual, mental, physical health and wellness
· Being resourceful
· Overcoming feelings of fear, anxiety, or mistrust associated with scheduling preventative medical appointments
· Interventions, strategies and techniques for coping with acute and chronic traumatic stress
· Relationships
· Establishing, growing and maintaining a strong support system
· Family of origin issues; multi-generational family system issues
· Fatherhood; father-son relationship dynamics
· Adverse Childhood experiences that impact adults
· The power of mentoring, and being mentored by others
· Developing a positive identity
· Life transitions
· Afrocentrism
The life and legacy of Chadwick Boseman serves is a reminder for black men in the 21st century to make the most of our time, talent, and resources. In athletics it is often said, “don’t count your reps. Make your reps count!”, specifically to players who whine and complain about the quantity of repetition’s in practice and games. Throughout scripture we are reminded our days on earth are numbered (Job 14:5, Psalm 139:16, James 4:13-14).
In the Psalm 39 King David writes:
“O, LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely a man goes about as a shadow!” (ESV)
In his account of the life and legacy of King David, the Arthur of the book of Acts writes:
For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers,”
Acts 13:36
Like David, each of us are provided with the opportunity to pursue, and fulfill God given purposes in our own lives and generation. I can’t help but believe that Chadwick Boseman refused to let poverty, social injustice, systemic racism, police brutality, family, marital stress, colon cancer, or any other life adversities stop him from fulfilling his life mission and purpose in his generation. His actions the last four years of his life make a huge statement! Unbelievably remarkable
Taking all that is being discussed and reflected upon into careful consideration, whether for spiritual, mental, medical, academic, professional, social or political or any other reason there seems to be a clear message for black men in the 21st century:
“Don’t count the days of your life. Make the days of your life Count”
About Jamal Jones, LMFT
Jamal is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Private Practice. He obtained his Masters of Science degree in Counseling: Marriage, Family and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. He is a former Division 1 student athlete, pastor, men’s ministry leader, regional director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and Fresno State football team Chaplain. Jamal is experienced working with individuals who struggle with serious mental illness, substance abuse, addictions, depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, perpetrators, victims and families of domestic violence and other crimes. you can learn more about Jamal and his practice at www.centralvalleychristiancounsel.com
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