Fresh for '01 - You Suckas!
By Aaron McGruder
“I think it’s horrible … I glance at it, and sometimes I read it, and afterwards I think ‘Why did I do that?’”
“They look angry all the time.”
“Once he knocked Bob Jones University, and that is a wonderful learning institution.”
Aaron McGruder wears those complaints, from a 72-year-old reader in
Tacoma, Washington, on the back of his second Boondocks collection
like a badge of honor. He goes out of his way to shock and offend staid
suburban sensibilities – especially of us white folks. And that’s
what makes his work so great. The Boondocks is currently my
favorite comic strip, and it’s probably my favorite of all time
besides Watterson’s glorious Calvin & Hobbes. Unfortunately,
McGruder’s artwork, though better than most “talking heads” strips
out there now, is not really exemplary in any way. His art is repetitive
and unpolished, which makes it a good thing that the art is subservient
to his much-needed ideas, smart humor, and sarcastic provocations.
McGruder’s protagonist, Huey, sees the whole world as a conspiracy
of the white man to keep him down. McGruder triumphs because he simultaneously
juxtaposes Huey’s paranoia and irrationality with his penchant
for often being right. McGruder, through Huey, picks apart all our assumptions
about current events, politics, and society. He’s dangerously political
for a cartoon strip, and is certainly not afraid to say what everyone
shies away from. If you’re easily offended, or like living the
illusion that there’s no longer a problem with racism in this country,
steer clear of The Boondocks. But if you’re searching
for some new food for thought and discussion, check out both books.
Read September 2002