The Boondocks Controversy

[samuriagent]

i may of started the first boondocks thread, but this one is extreamly better, oh, and the show is really the only reason i still have cartoon network

[Darth Tyranus]

I think this cartoon has oppressed me (And I'm not even black), who wants to join in a class action suite against it?

(for those on the slow side i'm joking)

[Kishiro]

Actually, I almost forgot to mention that I know many african american people that have said The Boondocks was racist.

For some reason, I feel these are the people that the show is lashing out at and making a satirical killing off of.

And I love it. =D

[Bibi of the Blue Sea]

i really like watching the boondocks. it really isn't a racists show. it shows how people stereotype others. but besides that, the boondocks is really funny and i enjoy watching it.

[akiko_kalla]

i never really liked the show. It's really actually stupid. I don't like the whole view of 9 year old kids being gangsters and wanting to kill people. Plus a lot of it just goes a little far. But then again freedom of speech, so whatever.

You should observe an urban fourth grade class sometime...it's quite enlightening--and shocking. The thing is, that gangster mindset/attitude/whatever isn't really a racial thing so much as it is a socio-economic thing. Unfortunately certain groups of people tend to have higher populations in those areas than other groups, thus it is frequently mistaken for a racial issue even by those speaking out against it. Don't get me wrong, this show does show many things specific to certain cultures, but the mindset crosses racial boundaries. It is also one of the most difficult things for kids in these areas to overcome. I don't mind the show, but I haven't seen tons of episodes either. To me, you take away the race specific jokes and you are left with ideas that are at the heart of our social structure for all races, not just one.

[Kishiro]

You should observe an urban fourth grade class sometime...it's quite enlightening--and shocking. The thing is, that gangster mindset/attitude/whatever isn't really a racial thing so much as it is a socio-economic thing. Unfortunately certain groups of people tend to have higher populations in those areas than other groups, thus it is frequently mistaken for a racial issue even by those speaking out against it. Don't get me wrong, this show does show many things specific to certain cultures, but the mindset crosses racial boundaries. It is also one of the most difficult things for kids in these areas to overcome. I don't mind the show, but I haven't seen tons of episodes either. To me, you take away the race specific jokes and you are left with ideas that are at the heart of our social structure for all races, not just one.

Well said. I concur.

It is very astonishing to see how the youngest of youths are effected by their surrounding culture and what they see on TV these days.

I mean honestly, I don't think we were that bad, growing up in the 80s-90s respectively. I'm a 90s kid born in 87 myself. And things just weren't like this back then. I guess you could say things were safer, better, more fun, heck, we were outside, our imaginations didn't usually involve a word processor or photoshop, or even a drawing pad or paint easel. We made up games. We weren't afraid to be ourselves. We did goofy things without worrying about our "street cred" and "rep". We dressed up as power rangers and ninja turtles. We played secret agent games with every other kid in a 1/2 mile radius in the neighborhood. We had double agents even! I miss those days.
I miss children being innocent.
Take Riley for example. Do I need to even go in to how he is the typical stereotype, but disturbingly accurate depiction of an urban youth that buys into the nonsense and trends set on by the media such as BET and the sort? Hence the R. Kelley and MLK Jr. episodes come back into play. Look how the people behaved in those episodes to their respective situations. Pathetic. And it is pretty much like that IRL.
Tell me why people are afraid to come forward and testify and give information to police when someone is shot here in Cincinnati and severly injured or killed. Or more so rather than afraid, they think that it is wrong to supply the police with information. Why was a "stop snitching" t-shirt released? And why oh WHY did the crime rate jump a few points after that shirt was released, and then evened out again when it was recalled.
Why do kids think they are grown when they are only 10 years old, and use fouler language than myself? Why is it ok for them to think they are gangsters and thugs. It isn't ok. But the reason is made clear in numerous episodes of The Boondocks. The media puts it out there, and then the kids see and imitate it. Parents aren't doing their job. And the media is sending out the wrong message to kids from 3 to 16 about everything.

"I can't believe the news today..."

[Goku(AKIRA)]

I'm sure plenty of you have seen the cartoon adpatation of The Boondocks, that airs on Cartoon Network's [adult swim] A couple times every week.

From the first show, people have been sparking with controversy about the show.

Some of the more headline making episodes were:
1. The Trial Of R. Kelley
2. The episode where they try to kidnapp Oprah, twice, and end up getting Maya Angelou the first time, and Bill Cosby the second time.
3. The Return Of The King (Martin Luther King Jr.)


Al Sharpton threw a big hissy fit about "The Return Of The King" episode. Why? Because MLK was portrayed using the "n-word". But you know what? I feel what Aaron (The Boondocks creator & writer) did for that episode was outstanding. I believe that if MLK came back, he'd be outraged at what he saw. He might not say the "n-word", but he'd be upset to see whats become of people these days. Just imagine if he came to Cincinnati and saw how it is here with racial tension? Or if he witnessed New Orleans after the hurricane? I wonder, has Al Sharpton even seen that episode, or did he just hear that a cartoon version of MLK was using some potty language.

And as for the episode concerning R. Kelley, I don't think I've ever laughed harder at a cartoon poking fun at a famous person and their scandal, because it was so true. Why do so many (SO MANY, not all!) my fellow african americans have to be so stupid about that kind of stuff? And why is it that THOSE people always get to be on TV when interviewed and portrayed by the media? Put someone intelligent on! Me! Someone, anyone else but those people walking around in shirts that equate to ball room gowns! Or someone who can at least speak in an articulate manner with out an "ummmm" and an "aaaaeen" and a "cuuuz" between every sentence.

Anyway, what do you guys think of The Boondocks, I assume there will be mixed emotions regarding it as some may approve, and some don't. But I'd like to know why.

In the mean time, I'll be workin on the story I promised. It'll be in microsoft word format, and maybe Adobe's .pdf if I am feeling nice, if you want a copy that is. I'll post it in the forums of course when it is done.

Well look I have to agree with Li Kishrio if MLK came back he would be pissed. I'm black and i get pissed about. As far as ppl who get offended by these things...well if you do then don't watch but u might as well not. Cause just like family guy they pick on everyone and in many ways Boondocks really is just talking about the problems and controverseies that most ppl don't want to think or talk about. Its just a way to open up ppls minds and to be honest its the same as if a person told it in a song, poem or speech just on tv. So yea Boondocks is controverail but its a good thing in this case.