Appreciation: Chad Boseman's Passing a Real Loss

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

We lost a gifted native son yesterday.

Chad Boseman’s has rippled across the entire planet, and brought both grief and fond memories to those who knew him when he was growing up in Anderson. 

It is without dispute he is the finest actor our town ever produced, and of little disagreement that he was one of the most gifted and accomplished actors working today.

If you are only familiar with his performance in “The Black Panther” (a role he infused in full with far more than typical superhero fare), find some time over the next week or so to watch his stellar work in his trio of biopics, where he managed to capture the very essence of Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Thurgood Marshall, each of which marked an era of struggles and triumphs battling racism in America.  Each was worthy of the Oscar he never got.

Boseman was the rare combination of artist and movie star, and his accomplishments are perhaps deserving of a biopic of his life, one which he lived with dedication and amazing excellence.

It’s crushing to think about the roles he did not live to show his great and growing talent.

And now he’s gone, another victim of cancer.

As we remember his talent, his legacy and many accomplishments, I don’t think it’s inappropriate to offer a reminder that one way to honor his life and struggle with the disease is to help those who are fighting daily to help other patients fight and manage their cancer. 

To make a gift in memory of Chad Boseman, contact the Cancer Association of Anderson.

I also hope there are those in our community who will rally to find a way to honor Boseman here in Anderson as a permanent monument to the idea that nothing is out of reach for those who work hard to reach their dream.