There are a lot of shitty things going on in the country I love. Kids are being shot in school—and not once in a while, either. The (mostly) Republicans under the sway of the NRA stand in the way of taking any actions that might reduce the “American carnage” that’s getting worse on Mr. Popular Vote Loser’s watch. Additionally, people who’ve known no country other than ours are in danger of being deported because he remains in thrall to his white supremacist base and the senior policy adviser who reminds him every day just what they believe. And that’s just in the past few days.

In spite of all this, or perhaps because of it, I’m going to ask you to indulge me (and possibly yourself) for a few minutes to revel in something good. Something that will nudge our society in the right direction, toward greater love and fellowship and a sense of community across the boundaries of race and culture; boundaries that some among us—those who control the lion’s share of wealth and power—would like nothing more than to exploit in order to keep us divided and ruled by them. Don’t laugh, but I’m talking about a movie and the impact it is expected to have.

The movie is called Black Panther and it was released nationwide here in America on Friday. To say that people are excited about it would be an understatement.

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This morning felt like the first day of school all over again. My outfit and hair are ready for #BlackPanter! I haven’t had this much pep in my step since Obama won in 2008. I’m giving everybody the nod like I see you AND I’ll be at the theatre with or without ya!#WAKANDAFOREVER pic.twitter.com/8CDcTqZBaV

— Lisa Barber (@PhysicalCanvas) February 15, 2018

Oh, and screw the haters.