Re: Has The Boondocks Gone Overboard?
Someone started an interesting conversation about “Stinkmeaner Strikes Back” (Season 2, Episode 4 of The Boondocks) at the Rawkus community.
Kas Love Japan asks whether Aaron McGruder has gone too far with the Boondocks. Kas is referring to the most recent episode of the ‘Docks, in which Rev. Father Uncle Ruckus (no relation) was invited to perform exorcism on Tom Dubois, who was obviously possessed by the n*gga spirit of Stinkmeaner. It’s not the exorcism that’s troubling to most, it’s the fact that they used a baton, a noose (*gasp*), a book, and a job application to exorcise the so-called n*gga spirit. In the end, the ghost of Ghostface (ha!) helps Huey Freeman figure out the ultimate remedy to a “n*gga moment” — peace.
“…uncle Ruckus don’t you hate black people?”
“Well, I wouldn’t exactly call them people, but yes I have a deep distaste for negroid”
I strongly disagree with KLJ and anyone else who thinks that McGruder and co crossed the line by exposing the flaws of some members of the black community. Besides, McGruder is not exactly breaking new grounds by suggesting that black folk don’t read. I’m sure you’ve heard of the saying, “You wanna hide something from a n*gga, put it in a book.” Sometimes it’s necessary to air out dirty laundry in order to clean up your act.
The only part of S2 E4 that I found a tad bit disconcerting was the presence of a noose during the exorcism. It seemed unnecessary and out of place. Moreover, these are fragile times.
Still, “Stinkmeaner Strikes Back” was a brilliant episode…coarse, clever, and captivating. In the name of that episode’s message that a “n*gga moment” can only be attained through harmony and understanding, not through violence, I rest my case.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 6:31 pm and is filed under Issues.
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| 1. |
Ivan Says:
Yeah, like u were saying before, definitely Season 2’s best episode. The message was important, and I like how you summed it up.
But! I think the noose was put in there for a deep reason; Hear me out:
When they were whipping the possessed Tom DuBois, Huey came to the realization that this was no different from a lynching. The topic of racism and white supremacy creeps into the whole message of the episode.
It reminds me of something I heard in the past:
If white supremacy and lynchings were as rampant as they once were, would African-Americans be killing themselves like they are nowadays. Deep question.
So too, Huey (with help from the Ghost ;-p) realized that through perpetuating the same kind of violence (now, irregardless of skin color), people will never get ahead. Black on black violence: how is it any “improvement” from white on black violence? (in my opinion, BOB violence is 10x worse…)
The message?…
Together we stand; divided we fall.
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| 2. |
Rizoh Says:
I feel what you’re saying, but I don’t know if it came across like that to me. It just seemed a little out of place.
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| 3. |
Huey Says:
man I see what you sayin but sometimes shit ain’t clear unless its blaintently just put out there and his message is proper and clearly if shit ain’t changed than attention needs to be brought to it in order to do so. Controversial or not. word
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| 4. |
Rizoh Says:
That noose wasn’t controversial, it was distracting to me.
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| 5. |
J to the AAP Says:
Maybe he wanted to spark a bit of controversy to at least get discussions brewing, which evidently worked. On a side note (and maybe this is widely known since I’m talking last century ish, but not over here in Europe) what made The Source decide to pull The Boondocks strip after only one month?
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| 6. |
bigbadopus Says:
I think the noose was right. aaron used a mix of things that have historically used against blacks like baton and a noose and then brought in a couple stereotypical ones like the job app and the book.
just an fyi, but this is the second lynching joke this season and we’re only 4 episodes in. i’m not sure how long ago these episodes were written but if aaron intentionally put noose/lynching references into the show because of Jena 6 I think its great. He’s sparking discussion while the issue is relevant and fresh in peoples minds instead of waiting until we are a numb to the issue and the jokes become safe. If this wasn’t aaron’s intention and this is all coincidence, then call it an act of God.
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| 7. |
Chuck_You Says:
This is probably why Dave gave his 50milly back. I haven’t seen it but it couldn’t have been worse that the Friday cartoon that Cube Vision and MTV tried to get by us. That shit niggaconnery to the upmost.
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| 8. |
Chuck_You Says:
This is probably why Dave gave his 50milly back. I haven’t seen it but it couldn’t have been worse that the Friday cartoon that Cube Vision and MTV tried to get by us. That shit was niggaconnery to the utmost.
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| 9. |
Chuck_You Says:
My bad thats “Niggacoonery”
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| 10. |
khal Says:
best episode of season 2? shit, let season 2 be over first!
i was pissing myself over this one, though. stayed up late (hey, i got kids) to watch it, and laughed my ass off!
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| 11. |
marc Says:
There wasn’t ANYTHING controversial during that episode. It was pure entertainment.
If anything in that show offends you then you should be a TEACHER in a school trying to educate people yourself. I have tried it.. and moved on. Instead of being frustrated by the ignorance in the black community I have learned to laugh. Don’t personalize it. And don’t become part of the political games played in that EVIL media.
I have nothing against SLANG and being a “HIP HOPPER”, but when people like HUEY above write comments like that.. YOU CAN SPEAK SLANG, but you have to know when to turn it off for a simple commentary online.. come on!!!
This is just what the show is saying. Most people go too far. That is why the SHOW PUSHES THE LIMIT. To show people that they have crossed the line of decency.
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| 12. |
Ley Says:
All the anime and demonic stuff was a lil bit too much
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
John Plays Drums Says:
It’s too bad the term “black” is continually used to describe those of African ancestry and/or genetics, but such is our “modern” society.
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| 15. |
malcolm Says:
i am black and i do not feel as though the show crossed the line, ruckus is a racist so he was just keeping ruckus in his own character… When creating a show you dont just fill in lines you look at the situation in every characters eyes and depending on their personality thats how you come up with the lines. Btw the show has a crazy balance every show is funny as hell, but if you look at rileys character thats all the balance you need, riley represents the smart conscience black community
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| 16. |
kh20s Says:
people are always saying that boondocks has gone too far!! i remember when he was first putting it in our college newspaper and it was controversial back in the day!
i did think the episode was a bit “out there” because of the whole occult / living dead theme. but i guess it’s good for holloween?
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