Aaron McGruder Keeps It Too Real For Some Obama Fans
Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 6:14PM ;)
"Boondocks" creator/cartoonist Aaron McGruder (my imaginary boyfriend since 1999) gave some very frank statements about Obama's presidency. Namely that he is "cautiously pessimistic" and naturally, some folks did not approve of McGruder's Debbie Downer act, throwing ice water on their Obama fires.
On the eve of President Barack Obama's inauguration, McGruder is "cautiously pessimistic" about the presidency.
"I don't think you're going to see any dramatic change from Barack Obama," said McGruder, who wore a "Boondocks" T-shirt over a black long-sleeve shirt and jeans. "I'm hoping he proves me completely wrong."
McGruder bases his opinions of the U.S. presidency on the 2000 election and how nothing has been done since then to change the election system. "It was a sham then ... It's got to still be a sham," McGruder said. "I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but it's what I tend to do."
But my fake boyfriend didn't stop there! He pulled out the also unpopular "Barack really isn't black" meme. You know? Just to piss people off.
On the topic of race and ethnicity, McGruder said that to him, Obama is not black because he is not a descendant of a slave.
"The person who is one of us in the White House is Michelle Obama and her momma," McGruder said.
Negroes were not pleased. Not pleased at all.
His comments outraged Dionne Robinson, 44, of Richmond.
"I want my $5 back," she said. "It's one thing to have an opinion, but he doesn't have any facts. He needs to go back to college."
McGruder is an African American Studies major, politically astute and ... well, complicated. I'm not personally surprised by his statements. I've been stalking following McGruder for years now and this pretty much falls in line with previous statements he has made about black identity, politics and his own disillusionment with the political process when he became highly invested in the 2004 re-election of George W. Bush. McGruder was staunchly anti-Bush. His then daily comic strip, which balanced "edgy" Peanuts-style kids banter with political satire, became almost exclusively his weapon-of-choice to stop Bush.
But Bush was re-elected. McGruder quickly grew disenchanted with just about everything, eventually stopped doing the daily strip and later, moved on to his animated show on Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim," based on the original "Boondocks" comic.
As much as I still love McGruder and his immense talent, I kind of hate the animated version of "Boondocks." Not because it isn't funny, but because it straddles the border of "satire" and "highly offensive" so hard, that I can't really watch it without feeling like I'm contributing to the problem somehow. I was also sad when the newspaper strip version of the cartoon shifted from being about two black city kids adjusting to living in a mostly white suburb (which happened to me and my sisters) to Bush all the time. I get that he wanted to do his part, but the quality of the comic suffered greatly when he went all Personal Political Jesus on me.
McGruder has never gotten over 2004. (Or 2000, for that matter.) I remain shocked that he hasn't pulled a Dave Chappelle/Lauryn Hill on me yet and retreated from society altogether. The animated "Boondocks" shares a lot of similarities with the edginess of "Chappelle's Show" -- a funny enterprise that could easily be misinterpreted as exploitation and ignorance by the uninitiated. And McGruder's statements mirror that of others who have been skeptical of Obama, suspicious of everything from his ability to achieve real change to his blackness credentials.
I feel that what President Obama will be able to achieve is up for debate. We don't know what will happen. This is just day two of the damn thing. But the whole "what is black" issue is far more thorny and, dare I say it, incredibly petty. It gives the impression that in the history of America one could "choose" whether or not to be a black American. While Obama was raised by his white mother and grandparents, grew up in Hawaii and had an atypical experience from most black Americans, he still grew up in America treated by others as a black American, being judged as one, and turning to the black community for support, friendship and married within the community. This sort of talk is divisive as it gives the impression one can strip another person of their ethnicity simply because they don't fit some narrow criteria.
But he isn't the first person to be of this opinion, of individuals who see Barack Obama as having more of a "first generation immigrant's" story, rather than the typical, "descendant of slaves" background, believing this made him more palpable to white voters than other black American politicians. I think this is a bit lazy in thought, considering that the racists hate him just as much as they hate me and other black Americans. Plus radio yakker Rush Limbaugh wishes him not well, even if it means the country goes further in the toilet. You know? Just because he's that petty.
Not to mention the hoards of white supremacists who welcomed his election as a great recruitment tool.
So, I'm fine with the President calling himself black. But my fake boyfriend disagrees. On what line do you fall?
Danielle Belton
McGruder clarifies his statments! Click here for the story.
Reader Comments (46)
I think I couldn't agree more with what you've just said.
I like Aaron a lot, a lot but he needs to get over himself & quit this nonsense.
Snob,
I think that Obama is for sure Black but not African American. That distinction is the one you mention; he's not a direct descendant of American Slaves.
When I first heard about this I thought that was the point McGruder was trying to make but apparently it wasn't.
Also just like you I LOVED The Boondocks in print, HATE it on TV. The TV version feels like Aaron is pissed with African Americans and that's how he's getting us back.
I disagree with your boyfriend. Black is the new President.
On an academic level I can see where he's going.
But on the, "Why are you talking shit about Malia and Sasha's Daddy?" level... I think that surely there must be a more thoughtful and less devise way to articulate his point.
Perhaps he could have run for President.
Girl you need to kidnap Aaron and deprogram him. He has become jaded and bitter. HE is a casualty of the Bush administration and he needs some healing. I am going to pray for him and his jaded soul.
McGruder is nuts . I surprised he got the whole black vs. African American sematics wrong since he was an African American Studies major. I guess I'm not going to try to be as funny and as witty as you Black Snob but I look very black. There are not bones about it, but according to McGruder I am not. I am Haitian . My mom and Dad were born in Haiti but I was born and raised here. What he said is nuts. Obama is definatelyy not African American in the sense of why the term was created. He like me was never DESCENDENTS of African Slaves in America. ( Although I was but they were on the island of Hispanola-wait does that make me black now??) The term usually defines the ethnicity of the desendents of slaves in America, but it is not the term that should describe their race. Was McGruder saying that because Obama's heritage doesn't necessarily mimick the struggles of AA in America over the past 400 years, he is not black. I'm not sure that logic holds much water since as Obama stated on Tues his own father would have been subjected to the same treatment as AA have been even if he were an immigrant from Afica. We first generation Americans may not always see things exactly the way AA see things, but I know we definately benefit from MLK, Jesse Jackson ( I appreciate him so much more now.) and etc. We are also subjected to the same plights . I can't tell you how many young Haitians that are in jail right now. It is a black American problem. We go to the same schools, live in the same projects, and added on to that have to learn and negotiate in a different culture and language, but thats not the point. We are all black.
I feel so sorry for McGruder. This is the best time to be black and educated. I believe that more doors will open so that we can show the US and the world what black America is really about. Most probably think it is all hip hop.
@ Adeshola
I know. He's all kinds of sad and angry now. You know what would cure that? Me. You can't be sad and angry when I'm your woman!
Mr. Soul Patrol isn't even keeping company with a Sista. That's what kills me about some of the Blacker-than-thou crowd.
Where's his Nubian Queen, since he wants to judge other folks' Blackness?
Agree. I mostly couldn't care less how people classify themselves. If Obama identifies himself as African-American then so be it. I similarly don't have a problem with those who are obviously black who identify themselves by a nationality over a race. It's a personal subject in my eyes.
However, McGruder don't have to be all angry about it. Is it really that big of a deal?
(And yes, I know for some it is. Still, I ask the question.)
I want to tell you to bitch slap your boyfriend. I won't because I'm afraid you would hurt him and that kind of pain would confuse him more. He is clearly hurting from the story you tell. Naivete, youth and politics are the type of mix that leads to disappointment when you believe the way he did. What's worse is not to understand how right you were and how few others saw it(w/ Bush it makes me still wonder). Hopefully as things grow slowly better he will too.
it wouldn't be aaron if he wasn't pissed off about something...btw john kerry's wife, who was born in south african considers herself african-american...i haven't heard anyone question that...
Yeah, I got off board with Boondocks after season 1. I watched it because it was new hip and radical enough, but I was a senior in college at the time, and staying in a freshman dorm at an HBCU as a result of being displaced by Hurricane Katrina and when I realised that the political satire of the wanton use of "nigga" was COMPLETELY and UTTERLY and TOTALLY and WHOLLY and ULTIMATELY lost on a bunch of 18 an 19 year olds, I realised McGruder had missed the boat completely.
I had somewhat followed him when I was early on in college. Not because I was an artist, but I dug him because he was young, hip, smooth and cool and to me, was doing the damn thing as a young black professional. I made my momz cut out articles if she ran across them in magazines and what not. And then around the release of the cartoon show, I realised that, in the words of AB, he was giving me "milquetoast Negro" and he just wasn't "popping" to me like he used to. I wouldn't be shocked that after all is said and done if he ends up like James Meredith, homeboy who intergrated Ole Miss and move from "radical and uppity Negro" to "milquetoast Negro" to the realm of being "disillusioned and out-of-touch Negro" who, I dare say, borderline's Uncle Tom.
I'm disappointed.
I mean, if you think that way, give some substance behind it. To simply say it as such rings hollow for me, I need more than just that. Maybe, it was because he was just a disappointing young black role model---like I have none for people my age, meaning famous black males who are doing the damn thing under 35 or 30 who aren't a friggin athlete---Hill Harper doesn't count because he's like 40.
Hmmm....Snob, you should do a post on that....the lack of young black male professionals who are in the public spotlight because they're not friggin entertainers.
Technically Obama is African American. His father is from Africa and his mother is from America. I guess Obama isn't what people traditionally consider an African American but I consider him one. There are so many black American iconic figures who's parents are black immigrants like Susan Taylor, Harry Belafonte, Colin Powell and even Malcolm X. As long as you are a black person who was born in America that is what you are considered.
I'm sick of people playing the "not a descendant of a slave" therefore not black enough card. Sick of all this petty crap from other black folks.
I wish The Negro Police would cut it out. Why does he get to decide who is Black and who isn't? I'm tired of this dumb sh*t. Seriously.
Your boyfriend is quite delectable. As far as the rest of it. We as a whole need to just sit the xx down and shut the xx up about the whole who's Black, who's not, who qualifies, who doesn't. If I'm not mistaken, this is the same shit the white folks have been using on us for um, CENTURIES. Does any of it REALLY matter? Is it going to change ANYTHING? I'm sorry, I've never accepted being labeled by ANYONE. I'm me. The only label I'm willing to accept and acknowledge is American. The rest of that b.s. I'll let ya'll worry about. Keep playing whitey's flim-flam game. I've been out of it for years.
MAYBE- just MAYBE, I can understand his frustrations when he says he doesn't believe Barack will bring change. And this is only because people have become disillusioned with politicians in general. But the whole thing about him not being the descendant of slaves makes no sense. It's not like he ran his campaign on it, and he sure as heck has never fallen back on it either. So I don't get that. Also, I like Aaron McGruder a LOT. The Boondocks is hilarious and smart, I still watch it from time to time, but I think his argument is so off base. He should have just left it at, he hopes Barack proves him wrong.
I understand his doubts about the system and Obama bringing change. I am incredibly cynical about politics and politicians and it took me a while to get on board with Obama.
But the "black enough" game is tired and old. I am a child of an African immigrant and an African American and although my mother's experience in America is different from that of my father's, she did not receive a get out of racism and prejudice free card when she got off of the plane.
Ahhhh, I can only take so much of MacGruder...maybe I'm too complacent with things? Or maybe he's just too damn bitter, BEYOND bitter for me to always identify with him.....but he is a cutie; most indeedy.
Aaron is a joke. Sorry but the Boondocks( the cartoon) went from being a real sound board for all things smart, hip , and honest . The show...not so much.
So as the other poster stated , for a brotha that is keeping time with a sista, he is the last person to talk about who is really AA and who is really about business. We should not be carrying this bitchassness into 2009.
African American simply means someone of African descent which all African Americans are! People need to stop dissecting Obama's blackness and stop the madness! He and Tavis Smiley need to check their egos.
Obama had the audacity to dream and to do something spectacular. Obama's not hating on anyone, but plenty of folks hate on him, including so-called "true" African Americans!
So will Tavis and MacGruder bring change or just talk noise? Obama can't uplift the community on his own. He's president of the United States not of just black America.
Obama will be fair. Since he will be fair, that will help black people.
Im confused, doesnt having a Dad from KENYA and being raised in Indonesia partially make him "Indo African American", I mean, if we are to split hairs here. This is getting silly but I suppose we have our same fights in the "Irish-Catholic-Half Dutch- Half German" mix that is my own family. Dont get me started on the BS hair splitting that happens between the Irish......and Irish Americans (who are the biggest fronters in the world!) All you need is a U2 Flag, a Guinness poster and a crucifix somewhere in your room and you are in!
I'm always opposed to those who annoint themselves as the gate keepers. How is McGruder's attitudes any different from Sarah Palin with her "real americans" nonsense?
Wow, it seems like he is slowly losing his mind. First Obama was too black, then he wasn't black enough. Really McGruder? You too? Why do I feel like he should be in the studio with Hannity and Rush since he has decided to join in on the hate fest?
How about I sit back and wait to see what changes McGruder, who is black, can bring to America. I am waiting.
Still waiting........
Should I continue to wait?