The Boondocks (comic strip)
The Boondocks is a comic strip originally written and drawn by Aaron McGruder. It started as a comic in the student newspaper at the University of Maryland; The comic strip became syndicated in 1999.
The strip depicts Huey Freeman and his younger brother Riley, two African American children who have been moved out of Chicago by their grandfather to live with him in a predominantly white suburb. Huey is a devotee of black radical ideas of the past few decades, whereas Riley is enamored of hip-hop culture and the "thug" lifestyle; their grandfather is a firm disciplinarian who is offended by their values and ideas.
In the fall of 2003, McGruder passed art duties on to Boston-based artist Jennifer Seng. In an interview with The New Yorker, McGruder said, "If something had to give, it was going to be the art. I think I'm a better writer than artist." [1]
It is highly political and occasionally subject to great controversy, usually sparked by the comments and behavior of its main character, Huey. The comic strip has been withheld by newspapers several times. In this aspect, it is similar to Doonesbury.
In particular, the principal characters often discuss racial and American socio-economic class issues. Some attribute the disputes over the strip to a political correctness that discourages any discussion or recognition of racial distinctions.
Main Characters
- Huey Freeman
- Riley Freeman
- Michael Caesar - Huey's best friend
- Granddad
- Thomas and Sarah Dubois - an interracial couple in the neighborhood
- Jazmine Dubois - their daughter
- Cindy McPhearson - a girl who appears to be utterly clueless about racial issues and shows a fondness/curiosity for rap music (Snoop Dogg in particular)