The Boondocks (#7)

For those of you who are not familiar with the television show, The Boondocks, it is an animated series created by Aaron McGruder that centers around two African American boys, Huey (ten years old) and Riley (eight years old) who live with their grandfather in a largely white suburban community near Chicago's South Side.

While watching the pilot episode of the series, an interesting realization occurred to me. The central characters of this show (generally) revolve around a strong belief that the societal differences between African Americans and white Americans are inherent and are not meant to be changed. There are certain things that simply go unquestioned.

For example, Granddad (the grandfather, clearly), tells his grandsons often how they (as African Americans) should act around white people, as though there were some certain form of etiquette needed to be in a white person's presence. Riley, the younger boy, embraces what Wikipedia refers to as "Urban Gangster Rap/Hip Hop" culture as though it is just the way of the world, despite its self-destructive tendencies.

Huey, however, does not side with his brother or the rest of the majority of the cast. He tends to speak out against social/racial injustice, often to his grandfather's chagrin. In fact, on more than one occasion he suggests to Riley numerous ways of avoiding either falling into stereotypical traps or getting himself into trouble as a result of them.

While I cannot speak as to whether or not this accurately represents Chicago's South Side (or any similar community for that matter), I can say this, as I have seen it in reality as well: there are some people who embrace the stark societal and racial differences between African Americans and white people. However, there are others who stand strongly against it, as they consider it not a natural order but racial injustice. Both viewpoints are held by people of both races.

This all goes to show that some people are not led to the point of view that states that racial injustice is wrong: some reach the conclusion that it just is, and cannot be avoided. They embrace it, though it poses a strong moral dilemma; those with the opposing viewpoint fight it, though it still presents a variety of messy situations.

Just as a final note: The Boondocks has often been criticized for it's negative representation of African American culture and historical figures. Despite this, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) nominated the show for their Image Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2006. Food for thought.