An Oaklander’s Q&A With Ryan Coogler: Black Panther, Revolution, And The Town
09.30.18

"Erik [Killmonger's] confrontation makes T’Challa a better king.” - Ryan CooglerTo many Oaklanders, Coogler has displayed to the world what happens when you trust a young kid from Oakland who believed in fairy tales. From his debut feature film, Fruitvale Station, to Black Panther, a mutually beneficial relationship has existed between Ryan Coogler and the love he has for Oakland. Now, at the age of 31, some people are calling Coogler “the new Steven Spielberg.” But when I asked Coogler about his legacy, he responded, “I keep things simple. One project at a time,” as he took time to rest with his brother and family at home. After the interview, I sat in silence to admire the beauty and creativity of Ryan Coogler’s imagination. He created a world where young Black youth can see themselves represented on the big screen, where Black people can escape from the harsh societal inequalities that affect us in the world, and where I can find myself at peace in a film that feels so much like home. Ryan Coogler gave us the opportunity to embrace our humanity and the pride of where we came from. Thank you for giving us a film that allows our experiences and lives to be seen in a world that seems hopeless.
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