#it's really easy making w'kabi the bad guy

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» Regular People AU || Attoye Prompt Drabbles || Master List « » The Complex #1 — Read Attuma’s POV in the companion piece «

Okoye had never seen this man before. If she had, she definitely would’ve remembered—probably down to the exact detail, he was that good looking. His tall physique and long dark hair drew him immediately to her attention as he leaned forward to reach his mailbox in one of the lower rows. The glimpse of his firm, round backside that his position afforded her also made a major impression.  

Tearing her eyes away from the pleasing sight, she spied over his shoulder on her way to the elevator, and was barely able to make out the number on the box’s door. Apartment 605. That put him in the dwelling right above hers. It was no wonder, from his height and bulk, that her evenings had recently become filled with the stomping of heavy footsteps from above. She’d been tempted to cause her own disturbance by banging the handle of her broom on the ceiling, but resisted, choosing instead to put in her earbuds. Now seeing the culprit, she could easily forgive his transgressions.

Had her friends been around, Okoye was sure that Aneka, the more laidback of the two, would have called him, “Beefy,” his arms bulging beneath his t-shirt (and stretching it close to capacity) with the flex of his elbow. While her other friend, Nakia, the well-read scholar, more likely would’ve gone the route of describing him as, “Tall, dark and handsome,” taking into account the brooding expression on his face as he sorted through his mail. It was probably all bills, much the way hers had been earlier.  

Waiting for the elevator, Okoye continued to ogle him, pretending to be absorbed in her phone. His hands looked massive—the fingers long and tapered with what looked to be clean and neatly trimmed nails. This gave him another good checkmark in her book. There were few things more unattractive than a man with raggedy, dirty fingernails. His hands also looked strong, veins running across the unblemished skin on its back. She was just beginning to envision what those hands could do when he suddenly looked up, his eyes instantly locking on hers.

She’d been caught staring, like a weirdo. Reflexively, she wielded the most powerful weapon she currently had at her disposal: her smile. Beaming in his direction, she put her pearly whites on full display. She’d always been told that she had a radiant smile and prayed that it would help dispel any creepy stalker vibes that he could have been, incorrectly, sensing.

He smiled back, and her breath hitched. “Maybe not so dark after all,” she thought to herself, slightly dazed as she watched his face light up. To her astonishment, two small indentations appeared on either side of his cheeks. Dimples so adorable they gave him a boyish charm that refuted the badass energy evoked by his stature and muscles. She was close to smitten, to say the least.

Just as she was working up the courage to introduce herself, the elevator chimed behind her. Its doors slid open and the person inside, obviously in a hurry, clipped her shoulder on their way out. Turning to glare at them, Okoye found W’Kabi, the obnoxious butthole from down the hall. “Of course, it would be him,” her mind supplied as her glower deepened. Flipping him the bird behind his back, Okoye then returned her attention to the mailboxes. Unfortunately, it was to find that the handsome stranger had left before she could speak to him.

[lil-miss-methodical]

Black Panther Review Articles 4

W'Kabi is someone I don't see many talk about - probably cause they don't like him for his 'betrayal' but I think they miss the point of this character and the importance of highlighting him. W'Kabi parents had been murder and he felt the prior kind did nothing to find justice for those lives and many others that was lost. When T'Challa came back empty hand that feeling of disappointment returned, that anger returned. W'Kabi's point is politics - those in power, in control are not doing the things they need to do for their people and so when Erik returns with the body of the person who has killed his parents...he's met someone who in his perspective doesn't just talk the talk but commits the actions to back it up. Erik speaks of correcting wrongs that's been going on forever and so for W'Kabi it's a political change.

You may dislike him because that change had to be from T'Challa, but if you're seeking to understand Erik you should also be seeking to understand W'Kabi. He's not a bad guy, just someone unsatisfied with his government (King's) leadership. As someone who is frustrated with my own government and leadership it's easy to empathize with his reasonings even as I feel his choice in alternate leadership wasn't the best.

“Would you kill me, my love?”

We also get that powerful imagery of him not only dropping his weapon but dropping to his knees before Okoye. He is the leader of men, while she is the leader her of her women, and when he ask her (subtly) to give up her views, her desires, her honor, for him - she refuses and so he then bows into her leadership. This is an important moment for black women because giving into men is supposed to be our way of life despite being right. The underlying messages that they bringing for women in this movie is top fucking notch really.  Because the reality is you need to take stock in what it is you really have and what it is you're fighting for. W'Kabi still has a chance to evaluate the situation. He may have cast his ballot into the wrong box but he can stop and fight for what's right now. You wanna stand behind someone whose gonna fight for the right thing not someone whose just gonna act.

W'Kabi's situation reminds me of those who were so incapable of seeing the good Obama was trying to do and then went and voted for Trump and now claim to regret it.

“Are ya’ll done yet..are ya’ll done?”

I love M'Baku! I don't think he gets as much shine as he should. He definitely should not be called a villain or bad guy when it comes to this film because he was not. The challenge was acceptable and so he placed it out there because he wanted the throne. He lost and accepted that loss with no ill feelings and returned the due of lie back to T'Challa tenfold because not only did he keep the king alive but he didn't take the opportunity to become the Black Panther he was given. He then showed up for the battle even though he had previously refused. M'Baku is just a good guy whose people choose to live separately and a bit differently from T'Challa's.

M'Baku is a comedic genius - they split up some of the most important lines between him and Shuri. The moment he starts making animal noises in response to the white guy speaking - I was floored for several reasons. One because there have been plenty of times where I've just wanted to tell white people to shut up - they often have opinion on things they have no stake in yet want to be heard the most. And because the aspect that he thought M'Baku animalistic anyway. That why M'Baku laughs so hard after saying he'll feed him to his children then saying I'm just playing - we're vegetarians. Because homies eyes got so big - white people will believe blacks are capable of the most outlandish shit even though it's often very far from reality. The fact that they highlighted that concept - I lived for it. His response to T'Challa low key asking for his army - haha they're just so damn black man and I love it.

The Casting:

I’m happy as fuck with the moves Daniel Kaluuya is currently making. After breaking out in Get Out - another high moving creature for black people - this was def the move to make. The fact that people don’t talk about his character a lot got me zoning but just being in the feature is a good look for him. When it comes to our films he's probably always gonna be high on the list and thats never a bad thing. 

This is my first film with Winston Duke - but I felt like I was gonna love him the moment I saw him and Chadwick fake box on stage. he just has a nice vibe yo. his delivery for this character was so on point and I'd be willing to see his next project for sure. He sat in the pocket with them lines. And to be a side character he still pushed his presences through and remained rememberable...hell relatable. I would def hope for him any sequels they decide to do.