ALTURA 14

It’s been about 10 days since Chadwick Boseman passed away, and it seems the tributes to him have ceased. A very particular circumstance has been in the back of my mind as I remember his death.

In an interview with Good Morning Britain, actor Clarke Peters cried as he recalled criticism he made of Chadwick Boseman for his behavior on the set of Spike Lee’s DA 5 Blood and considered that he was receiving different treatment due to the success of Black Panther.

• My wife asked me what Chadwick was like, I was very excited to work with him. I said he was “a little diva”, because he was always surrounded by people around him – said the veteran actor. – There was a Chinese massagist taking care of his back as soon as he left the set, he had another girl taking care of his feet, his girlfriend was always there hand in hand with him, I thought that maybe this Black Panther thing had gone to his head. But today I regret those thoughts, because I know they were all just looking out for him.

I think about what Clarke shares and with shame I identify myself with him. How many times I’ve judged based on a superficial observation, on appearance, how many times I have made affirmations in my mind without even consider approaching and asking.

My natural tendency in a situation like the one above is to point my finger and judge. What if we would do what Paul recommends to the galatians:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What if Peters would’ve approached Chadwick and asked, how are you doing? What if he would get to know Boseman, before making any affirmations, what would be the end of that story? I guess we will never know. What about this massive political rage, what if we would stop stereotyping those with Trump flags in their front yard or the ones that are wearing Black lives matter t-shirts and get to know them? I am challenged with this real story to step back from my prejudicial mind and pursue getting to know those around me that look different, that I may have an opportunity to bear someone else’s burden.

Clarke Peters won’t have a second chance to get to know Chadwick. I don’t want to miss my chances to get to know people because of my prejudice, what about you?