The Boondocks

The Boondocks is a daily comic strip that was created by Aaron McGruder in 1997. Aaron was born in Chicago and went to the University of Maryland where he got his bachelors in African studies.

McGruder started writing this strip while working in the presentation center of University of Maryland. His strip debuted in the college's newspaper called Diamondback. The strip quickly moved from the Diamondback pages in 1997 into the monthly hip hop magazine known as Source. Due to the increasing popularity and loyal fan base of the comic strip, it was then picked up by the Universal Press Syndicate in 1999, making its national debut on April 19 of that same year.

The Boondocks is a popular and very controversial strip, which deals with different issues involving the African-American community, American politics, etc. However, these issues are seen through the eyes of its main character, a ten-year-old African American boy named Huey Freeman.

McGruder sold the television and film rights for The Boondocksto Sony Pictures Entertainment. In the fall of 2005, The Boondocks was adapted into an animated television series with the same name, for Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming section. The great success of The Boondocks on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim earned it a second season.

Aaron McGruder in his own right is an activist who frequently speaks on political and cultural issues, some which he as even displayed on The Boondocks.

To be honest, I don’t fully agree on a lot of McGruder’s views and approach, but I would definitely give him the respect I think he well earned on his work The Boondocks.

McGruder has been able to display his views about the community in relating to politics, racism, violence and things of this nature. Although McGruder maintains many stereotypes in The Boondocks, he tries to keep the strip as accurate as he possibly can. Whether one likes, dislikes, agrees or disagrees with what is portrayed in The Boondocks, I believe most would admit that it is a successful comic strip.

Any person who desires to create a successful comic strip can definitely learn from McGruder. McGruder knows he has something to say and a story to tell. Even though his story was seen as very controversial stories, and something that would not be successful, he still spoke out and told his story.

In my opinion McGruder has what many comic strip and book creators of this age are lacking, which is the combination of a willingness to tell a purposeful story and passion for the work.

As a writer, author or comic strip creator, you have to have something to say and you have to have something to offer. I say this because many have compromised their voice to try and gain more recognition or make more money.

Creating a strip like The Boondocks comes with a price because of its outspoken nature concerning politics, cultural and socio-economic class issues. The strip has been withheld by newspapers on many occasions. McGruder has received many complaints from whites and blacks as well. And still, no compromise for McGruder. He continues to try and write what he sees, feels and knows, with a voice that is his own.

The point is not to try and make a controversial strip, but staying true to your work and yourself. Don’t be a copycat and don't compromise your work in the hopes to make more money.

Everyone has a voice, except many choose to let their voice get lost in the crowd. As a creator you have to have something to say and you must let it be your voice. In my opinion, The Boondocksis a good example of this.

THE BOONDOCKS MAIN CHARACTERS

• Huey Freeman - a ten-year-old boy with strident political awareness and sees himself as a revolutionary. He is disturbed by the ignorance in modern-day black television and issues in politics.
• Riley Freeman - The opposite of his older brother, eight-year-old Riley praises the "thug life", and aspires to be the same as all the rappers and thugs he sees on television. He is often easily swayed or caught up in the moment. He is representative of misguided black youth, and is portrayed as Huey's polar opposite.
• Michael Caesar - Huey's classmate and best friend, and agrees with most of Huey's views of life. Unlike Huey, Caesar is more optimistic and cheerful, and is usually making jokes about whatever issue is at hand.
• Robert Jebediah “Granddad” Freeman - Huey and Riley's retired "Granddad". Robert is known to overpanic and for occasionally being selfish and valuing his own peace and comfort over the needs of others, but does look out for the children's welfare. He is often shown to be an "old school" disciplinarian when dealing with the kids.
• Thomas or Tom Dubois - Freemans' next-door neighbor. Tom Dubois is a rich African-American attorney. Tom Dubois strictly adheres to the law and is a "do-gooder". Married to a white woman, he is often seen as a "race traitor" by other black characters. He also thinks himself as a singer even though his singing is not that great.
• Sarah Dubois – Tom’s white wife who is also a lawyer.
• Jazmine Dubois - Thomas and Sarah's biracial daughter who seems to like Huey, despite the fact that he is occasionally cold towards her. Jazmine is often portrayed as naive, and is very optimistic in contrast to Huey's pessimism, also appears to struggle with her identity.
• Cindy McPhearson - a Caucasian girl in Huey's class who appears to be utterly clueless about racial issues and is a general airhead. She shows a fondness and curiosity for rap music (Snoop Dogg in particular).
• Uncle Ruckus- a mentally disturbed neighborhood handyman and acquaintance of the Freemans who plays the archetypal role of a Black man who dislikes his own race and constantly, unconsciously, but often illogically, praises Caucasians.
• Ed Wuncler II - The grandson of Ed Wuncler I, who owns the Freemans' home. Ed III is a somewhat psychotic ex-soldier portrayed as a representation of the stereotype of a white person who acts like an exaggerated version of a young black person. He is shown to be a foul-mouthed alcoholic and a trigger loving lunatic.
• Gin Rummy- is a former soldier and Ed Wuncler III's best friend. He can be seen as a parody of Donald Rumsfeld, in name, appearance, and use of actual quotes (and his name is usually shortened to just "Rummy", like Rumsfeld).