deerstalker

While we have a foggy idea of what the future holds for the MCU on the big screen, recent announcements for upcoming Marvel shows on Disney+ make a lot more sense after Avengers: Endgame. Keeping in mind the events from the films, here’s how we think the conclusion of Phase 4 (obviously discounting Spider-Man Far From Home) sets up the basic premises for the many Disney+ series heading our way within the next year.

Loki

One of things that had folks scratching their heads about the announcement of a Tom Hiddleston Loki series was the fact that Thanos killed him in Infinity War – and that was well before the Snap. But Endgame showed us that thanks to the Avenger’s “time heist,” Loki got away with the Tesseract in an alternate 2012. That means the Loki series could follow a different path. Does he turn the stone over to Thanos? Keep it for himself? Endgame opened up a world of possibilities for the character, all without undoing his redemption arc in Infinity War.

WandaVision

Although every hero that got snapped away came back for the big battle at the climax of Endgame, characters that died before the snap like Vision did not. So how is that going to work? During the closing moments of the film, we see Clint and Wanda bonding over their recent losses. Wanda tells Clint that she believes that Vision knows that they won, and she’s not just being spiritual. We think this is a hint that Shuri completed her work downloading Vision’s consciousness before the snap, and now Wanda will go to any length to resurrect him, even if he’s not exactly the same man as before.

What If?

When Marvel announced an animated series based on the What If? comics, we just thought it was a fun nod to that old Marvel staple. But with the Avengers having created two or more branching realities, this show could explore those possibilities. Cap went back in time to marry Peggy, but did he stop Hydra from infiltrating SHIELD, and free Bucky from their control? Heck, did he stop real world tragedies he knew were coming? With the multiverse in play now, we might even see the old Jane Foster becomes Thor story. Endgame sets up a lot of possibilities for this series.

Falcon and the Winter Soldier

At the conclusion Endgame, old Steve Rogers gives Sam Wilson his shield, telling him that it is his job to be the new Captain America. And Bucky seems completely okay with this idea, probably realizing his past makes him unworthy of the title. But the new show is called FALCON and the Winter Soldier. Might Sam find himself reluctant to take on the mantle of Cap, despite the title being bestowed on him by Steve Rogers himself?  We think that Endgame is setting up a longer journey for Sam Wilson from Falcon to Captain.

Hawkeye

Hawkeye took it on the chin harder than anyone in Infinity War and Endgame, losing his entire family due to Thanos’ snap. He then became the vigilante Ronin, going around the world and killing members of the Yakuza and drug cartels alike. But now that he’s got his life back, how will Clint Barton seek to redeem himself for his past actions as the sword wielding killer? By training a newer and younger Hawkeye in the form of teenage archer Kate Bishop, he can set her on a better path than the one he ultimately went down. Now that Endgame has shown us what he became, we know Clint Barton has a lot to do to erase that stain on his legacy.

Images: Marvel Studios

The post How AVENGERS: ENDGAME Sets Up Marvel’s Disney+ Shows appeared first on Nerdist.

In a recent conversation, I was speaking to a friend about social issues. In my all too common discussions about society’s ills, we begin to talk about equality. As the conversation moved to the action stage, we started to ask, what can we do? What needs to happen? What are the next steps? Then it occurred to me that equality might be the wrong fight.

People of color have been fighting for equality for as long as I can remember and many hundreds of years before that. Now, in the 21st century, I’m not sure equality can ever be achieved. Think about it. There will always be someone who makes more money, lives in a bigger home, or drives a nicer car. Equality promotes fairness but only if we all start from the same place, with the same opportunities. Since that hasn’t happened and most likely won’t, we will never achieve equality, but we can achieve equity.

Fight for Equity Versus Equality

Equity gives us all the same tools we need to be successful. Our focus should be on changing policies and procedures to level the playing field. And, unfortunately, we will need white folks to engage with us in accomplishing equity. So, blaming white folks today for the racist systems put in place in the past will always impede the progress of dismantling the systemic issues we face daily. But, to speed up that progress, intentional inclusion is the best strategy for achieving equity.

Related: 27 THINGS WHITE PEOPLE SHOULD NEVER, EVER SAY TO THEIR BLACK CO-WORKERS

Related: 16 THINGS BLACK PEOPLE SAY OR DO THAT ANNOY WHITE PEOPLE AT WORK (AND IN GENERAL)

If we switch our focus to equity over equality, we could then lean in on the things that would bring about real change like access to good healthcare, loans for businesses, stores with better quality foods, smoother streets, culturally responsive police patrol and commerce in our communities that will help our communities thrive.

Be the Change

If you want to effect change, here are a few ways to start: point out policies that are not inclusive to all employees. It could be something as simple as letting management know that a policy against braids or natural hair is exclusionary to people of color. Look at procedures to see how implementing incremental changes could assist in more diverse hiring and promotions. Go ahead. Try it.

Black Enterprise Contributors Network

The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s and not necessarily the opinion of Black Enterprise.

The post Why the Fight for Equality May Be the Wrong Fight appeared first on Black Enterprise.

Coming to you live from the Daytona 500, BLACK ENTERPRISE spent time with NASCAR, learning how the car racing organization is diversifying. In the video, check out interviews with race car driver Bubba Wallace; the first black woman member of a pit crew; and other black people who are making waves in NASCAR. (Video by Ed Stokes).

Related: MEET MELISSA HARVILLE-LEBRON: THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO OWN A NASCAR TEAM

The post [Video] Meet The Black Race Car Drivers, Pit Members, and Executives at NASCAR appeared first on Black Enterprise.