Black Panther comes to movie screens around the country Thursday

Some white parents wonder if they should let their kids wear T'Challa costumes

They want to make sure it isn't considered cultural appropriation or black face

New York Times op-ed explores the subject and found that some parents are split

Most experts agree it is fine because it shows kids are excited about a black hero

Star Chadwick Boseman said he's excited to see kids of all races wearing it

Black Panther comes roaring into theaters Thursday, and along with it comes merchandise and costumes for adults and children alike.

But as thousands of parents prepare to take their children to see the film, which is expected to rake it in at the box office, some white parents have been left wondering about how to approach the subject of race.

ADVERTISEMENT

White parents are trying to make sure they are not culturally appropriating when they take their children to see Black Panther over the weekend, especially if those children want to dress up like the main character - superhero T'Challa, AKA the Black Panther.

Some parents are worried that allowing their children to wear the Black Panther masks or costumes could be considered cultural appropriation, or even black face.

In a New York Times op-ed published Tuesday, author Kwame Opam pointed out that many parents are trying to toe the line to make sure they aren't accused of being racially insensitive.

Scroll down for video

White parents are trying to make sure they are not culturally appropriating when they take their children to see Black Panther over the weekend, especially if those children want to dress up like the main character - superhero T'Challah, AKA the Black Panther

In a New York Times op-ed published Tuesday, author Kwame Opam pointed out that many parents are trying to toe the line to make sure they aren't accused of being racially insensitive. Chadwick Boseman is pictured in his full Black Panther costume

Star Chadwick Boseman said he's excited to see kids all races wearing the costume because it 'bridges the gap'

'Many parents are split on how Black Panther's blackness should figure into their children's relationship with the character,' the article said.

But after speaking to many experts, the overwhelming conclusion remained the same, children of all races are welcome, and even encouraged to dress up as T'Challa.

That being said, it is important for white parents to have a conversation with children about the issues of race in America before seeing the film, the article explained.

'When I look at it, I see no reason why a kid who's not black can't dress like Black Panther,' Vimeo HR Director Katrina Jones told the Times.

'Just like our kid who's not white dresses up like Captain America. I think the beautiful thing about comics is they do transcend race in a lot of ways.'

Evan Narcisse, editor of website IO9, said he agrees, but that it's impossible to talk about the movie with his seven-year-old without bringing up race.

'You want that white kid to be able to think that he can dress up in a Black Panther costume, because, to that kid, there's no difference between Captain America and Black Panther,' he explained.

Associate professor at Texas Woman's University Brigitte Vittrup said white people shouldn't ignore the element of race when talking about it to their children.

'White people have the privilege of not constantly being reminded of their race in the United States, where white is the majority, whereas a black person you don't,' she explained.

Vittrup said that something to keep in mind for parents is how important this is for black children, because 'there's not a whole lot of black superheroes.'

Click here to resize this module

Associate professor at Texas Woman's University Brigitte Vittrup says white people shouldn't ignore the element of race when talking about it to their children

Ultimately, the experts concluded to the Times that wearing the mask is not cultural appropriation, and it is not the same as wearing black face. That being said, many agreed that this is the perfect opportunity for white parents to have a conversation with their children about race in America, and what Black Panther means to black people

Chadwick Boseman, who plays the titular character in the film, said in an interview with Buzzfeed in the fall he's 'thrilled' that children of all races want to dress up like his character.

ADVERTISEMENT

'This Halloween, the first time I see a little kid, a white kid, dressed up as Black Panther, I'm taking a picture,' he said.

'You better believe I'm taking a picture, because that's the crossover.'

Ultimately, the experts concluded to the Times that wearing the mask is not cultural appropriation, and it is not the same as wearing black face.

That being said, many agreed that this is the perfect opportunity for white parents to have a conversation with their children about race in America, and what Black Panther means to black people.

'Kids are not colorblind,' Vittrup said.

'There's a lot of structural inequality in our society, and kids are noticing that. By not mentioning it, by not talking about it, we're essentially preserving the status quo.'