News Release

Creator of The Boondocks Addresses the “State of the American Black Man”

Kansas City, MO  (06/15/2006)  No stranger to controversy, Aaron McGruder, creator of the comic strip, The Boondocks, finds his own unique way into the pages of the July issue of Esquire magazine. When the magazine asked McGruder to give his take on the state of the American black man, they were expecting a cartoon featuring the comic strip’s stars, Huey and Riley. McGruder sent them back an “Official Department of Black Affairs” questionnaire.

Esquire’s July issue focuses on the “State of the American Man,” but McGruder gives his take on the “State of the American Black Man” in a 20-point questionnaire that he composed himself.

Although The Boondocks characters, Huey and Riley, do make their way into the magazine's pages, their cameo is decidedly overshadowed by McGruder’s questionnaire.

Complete with a section for fingerprints and an FBI number, the form hits (or laughs) right where it hurts when it comes to stereotypes, unacknowledged realities and racism.

“What cost more?” the questionnaire asks. “Your house or your chain?”

“What is your Katrina status?” it goes on to ask. “A: Displaced by Katrina, or B: Inconvenienced by family displaced by Katrina.”

“It’s really easy to have an opinion on something. The tough job is always being funny—to do the funniest thing you can do,” says McGruder in Esquire.

Other questions asked on the questionnaire: How many white people’s phone numbers do you have? Does George Bush care about black people? Tupac or Biggie?

When Esquire asked McGruder to comment on his submission he replied, “I don’t explain the jokes. That’s not a good thing to get into. It is what it is.”

Syndicated since 1999 by Universal Press, The Boondocks has garnered considerable national and international media attention since its debut in newspapers. Stories about The Boondocks have appeared in Time, Newsweek, People, National Journal, The Washington Post, London's The Guardian, and McGruder has been profiled on all three major U.S. television networks, PBS’s The Charlie Rose Show and Johnnie Cochran Tonight, among others.

Also an animated series, The Boondocks can be seen on Adult Swim, the Cartoon Network’s late-night block of animation for adults. The first season is now available on DVD.

Creator(s): Aaron McGruder

Contact(s): Kathie Kerr

Search News Releases