Checking Ourselves : Degrading & Disgraceful or Enlightening & Creative

Aaron McGruder's "The Boondocks" attempts to reflect the racial diversity and complexity of our world. Combining childhood antics with contemporary political and social satire. It has now been turned into a TV series on cartoon network adult swim. With a combination of sharp opinions and creative delivery it guaranties to both entertain and offend. One question remains, is “The Boondocks” degrading and disgraceful or enlightening & creative?


After viewing several episodes the creativity and writing is refreshingly top notch, but the cursing and the frequent use of the “N” word proved hard to swallow. Not just because the use of the “N” word should be offensive, but because its use could diminish the original meaning and violence intended by the word to a young audience who already struggles to understand and identify with black history in America.

Historically in short, it was culturally necessary to believe, or be able to believe, that Africans were inherently and naturally less than human but were beings of a somehow sub-human, non-human, nature. This we see proven with the written words documented in the original text of the Constitution of the United States which originally stated that Africans were 'three-fifths' a man (by law). It became necessary to dehumanize Africans and devalue their historical worth as a people in order to ensure their value as slaves.

When the word n***er was devised, the meaning it implied was of a debased, ignorant, or very low person. Then, African-Americans dropped the 'ER' and added an 'A' thus forming a new word N***A. This word has been accepted and approved because 'the word now has a new meaning, we mean it a different way' is the obnoxious excuse. This is the same word that was used against our ancestors who shed blood for...now being accepted and used (daily) by the same people it was used against! The term is meaningless in reality but has become a useful word for those who help perpetuate the negative stereotypes of Africans worldwide.

Why do we choose to use a word that degrades Africans everywhere and turn around and call someone who looks just like you, a N***A! We can't possibly believe that we have the power to change the meaning of a word and expect other people to follow along with this mentality, this isn't progress folks. Depending on your view acknowledging the frequent use of the “N” word within our community and to share those conflicting comforts outside our community is a whole different issue. Black people need desperately to stop using the “N” word and stop acting like “N****s so that we can demand and command respect, fairness, and equal opportunity in America.

Does this show help blacks in our struggle…..NO, but it must be said …..This is America, were suppose to have freedom of speech. If that’s true we also have the choice to not tune in or turn the channel. As far as a Christian perspective...you should already know. If you don't...you better ask somebody. Continue to watch I will, enjoy? Not sure. I'll wait until the season ends to make a final desision. P.S. please…please do not let our kids watch this show. Its not called Adult Swim for nothing.