Profiles In Black Cartooning: Aaron McGruder

In celebration of Black History Month, CBLDF has partnered with Black Nerd Problems to spotlight Black comics creators and cartoonists who made significant contributions to free expression. Visit CBLDF.org throughout the month of February to learn more! What do you think of when you hear the name Aaron McGruder? To most fans, the mention instantly brings sight to Huey and Riley Freeman, characters from his politically charged comic strip turned smash hit cartoon, and rightfully so. His most recognizable series, The Boondocks is also one of the most recognizably Black works in popular media. “It’s South Park for Black people,” I heard it explained, more than once. But put that aside for a moment, as if we’re playing a game of Taboo and each Boondocks character is on the list of words you can’t say. What do you think of when you hear Aaron McGruder? Is it “funny”? “Political”? “Pro-Black”? Some hybrid of the three? To me, that question is to ask of his legacy – the principles that are the underpinnings of his work, the adjectives one would use to describe him. And for me, the closest answer I arrive is somewhere between “frightening” and “brave.” Frighteningly brave, perhaps. Let me explain.

l brave expressing our own opinion on other people’s opinions. Even when creators share their book, or film, or anything really, their message often lives between the lines, open for thoughtful discussion, and we applaud the beauty of their subtlety as we discuss brilliant interpretations….