"REV. AL SHARPTON CALLS FOR CARTOON NETWORK & AARON MCGRUDER TO APOLOGIZE"
REV. AL SHARPTON CALLS FOR CARTOON NETWORK & AARON MCGRUDER TO APOLOGIZE FOR DESECRATING THE NAME OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BY AIRING A TASTELESS " BOONDOCKS EPISODE" ON KING DAY
New York, NY (Tuesday, January 24, 2006) ---Reverend Al Sharpton is calling upon Cartoon Network and Aaron McGruder to apologize for desecrating the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On Monday, January 16th, Cartoon Network marked Martin Luther King Day by premiering a "Boondocks" episode by Aaron McGruder entitled, "The Return of the King," which featured the civil rights pioneer emerging from a coma and having to deal with post 9/11 America. Reverend Al Sharpton, who is one of the country's foremost leaders for civil rights, is calling upon Cartoon Network to apologize and to discontinue airing this episode. According to Sharpton: "Cartoon Network must apologize and also commit to pulling episodes that desecrate Black historic figures. We are totally offended by the continuous use of the "N" word in McGruder's show. While I can appreciate Mr. McGruder and his achievements, this particular episode is over the line. If we don't receive an apology, we will picket the corporate headquarters."
5. "this is fucken idiotic out of all the things to protest lets protest" In response to Reply # 0 Tue Jan-24-06 08:39 PM by Menphyel7
one of the few "only"? black shows who having the balls to stir up some shit.
IF MLK was here he'll probalby say "nigga shut up". Go do something construictive instead of trying ot tear down a black man who is at least trying to put an another image of black people on the tv.
maybe the show will prove its point and it will get people angry.
6. "RE: this is fucken idiotic out of all the things to protest lets protest" In response to Reply # 5
Al Sharpton is misinformed about this subject. Regarding the "N" word (nigga--I said it a la Chappelle show), Dr. King has been known to use this term during his days on Earth. While I am sure he would not agree with such a word being broadcasted throughout the media, the cultural significance of this show exceeds the repetitive use of the word, "nigga." Sharpton must also discern the difference between the racial epithetic term of nigga and the endearing term nigga. In an age where BET is doing more to desecrate Black folk than any network known to man (well, besides Fox News Network), I am surprised that Al Sharpton is not attacking Viacomm. Sharpton must stop attacking the advocates of Black progress and attack the ones who are actually destroying Dr. King's legacy.
GetSweptAway Member since Jan 25th 2005 1519 posts
Sat Jan-28-06 02:35 PM
45. "RE: this is fucken idiotic out of all the things to protest lets protest" In response to Reply # 6
>In an age where >BET is doing more to desecrate Black folk than any network >known to man (well, besides Fox News Network), I am surprised >that Al Sharpton is not attacking Viacomm. Sharpton must stop >attacking the advocates of Black progress and attack the ones >who are actually destroying Dr. King's legacy.
Wurd.
----------------------------- Whether its college, religious, or street knowledge/I wanna hear them lyrics make sense, no stink garbage/listen whatever u doin just do it wit skill/and just because it's positive don't mean it's somethin I feel. -OneBeLo
9. "RE: REV. AL SHARPTON CALLS FOR CARTOON NETWORK & AARON MCGRUDER TO APOLO..." In response to Reply # 0
i try to hang with al sharpton but if he look passed the "comedy" portion of the episode and focused on the point that aaron mcgruder & LES were making then he'd realize that not only did this ep need to be aired but that he should take many statements from the MLK speech (on the cartoon) and start to work on them. because, truthfully, too many things go on that these "so called" leaders let happen DAILY! and then love to bash a black man that makes a valid point. it's true...PERIOD. instead of focussing (i hope i spelled that right) on the word nigger/niga (whatever), he needs to focus on the whole speech at the end of the episode and start to work on that.
10. "Ain't nobody thinking about Al Sharpton..." In response to Reply # 0
...he hype nigga looking for a revolution like a crack head trying to get a fix.
Al Sharpton step your game up.
~Complex with the creative content on a conquest with concepts and context as concrete as poetry ~Its real and ill when I be sitting still yet still rocking to my mental rhythme. ~Its just right when I write
I think the episode on point creatively, comedicly, and socio-potically. It was funny. It was creative and artist. And it had an extremely serious message. I believe that Dr. King would be apalled at were we are today, and would continue to act. And that would include pointing a finger at the black community.
<------- The most important release of 2006, coming on July 23. UPDATE: It's a boy!!!!!!
Mastermind12 Member since Dec 06th 2003 1462 posts
Wed Jan-25-06 01:33 PM
16. "I don't fuck with Al Sharpton" In response to Reply # 0
Of all the problems Black America and America in general are goin through, this nigga decides to talk about a cartoon that mainstream america dont even watch. I strongly believe that this nigga didnt even see it! The government is just using him to try to convince us that criticizing ourselves so that we may improve ourselves is wrong.
17. "RE: REV. AL SHARPTON CALLS FOR CARTOON NETWORK & AARON MCGRUDER TO APOLO..." In response to Reply # 0
Al Sharton needs to protest BET and these maintream rappers that desecrate the Black community. I would admit that Dr. King's use of the N-word was over the top but, if he were alive today and saw all of the isht that was going on in the African American community and how many people have tarnished his dream--calling them "N***a" would be letting them off easy.
****************************************************** "to my folks that think they livin' sweet/they gone fuck around & push delete"
23. "RE: REV. AL SHARPTON CALLS FOR CARTOON NETWORK & AARON MCGRUDER TO A..." In response to Reply # 17 Wed Jan-25-06 05:23 PM by CRATEWORM
>Al Sharton needs to protest BET and these maintream rappers >that desecrate the Black community.
THANK YOU!!!
If this is true, I can't believe he wants to protest a thought provoking show like Boondocks, and lets BET advertise "Beef I, II, and III" like every commercial break.
... not to mention all the other bullshit BET feeds to the youth
Partial swipe from the article: Cartoon Network released a statement Tuesday saying the episode is a tribute to King and "in no way was meant to offend or `desecrate'" his name.
"We think Aaron McGruder came up with a thought-provoking way of not only showing Dr. King's bravery but also of reminding us of what he stood and fought for, and why even today, it is important for all of us to remember that and to continue to take action," the statement said.
<------- The most important release of 2006, coming on July 23. UPDATE: It's a boy!!!!!!
31. "RE: this coming from a guy endorsing car title loans..." In response to Reply # 30
The Boondocks is a terrible terrible cartoon/show. The use of the word "nigger" is just plain disrespectful. It uses the word in the context of pertaining to black people.
The excessive use of the word on a cartoon network watched by young kids is just evil. Just because it comes on at 10pm CST doesn't mean young kids are not watching it. It's on their favorite network, of course they're going to watch it. Adults think that network is "safe" for their kids.
Aaron Mcgruder did a complete 180 on this cartoon versus his comic strip. There was no overuse of the word Nigger/Nigga in the strip, but in the cartoon he's pimping it like Bishop Don Juan. He has to be the Uncle tom coon of the year for this. This use of the word Nigger doesn't prove anything except that it's okay to use the word that represents the degradation of a people. He should be ashamed of his damn self as a man.
Cats getting blinded to the message cuz they suspicious of the messenger, but Rev Al is right. If ya'll knew how many black people got their ass kicked right after hearing that word, then maybe you would see it for what it is. If you somehow think it's cool or "real" to use the word, then you're only fooling yourself.
The word has hurt a lot of people we love called parents and grandparents. Those people are still around, and are still offended at the use of that word. And it probably pains them to hear a bunch of young punks try to make the word "cool".
Aaron McGruder is a real sellout. I guess he thinks it makes his little cartoon "real". The Boondocks comic strip is a good political satire comic strip. The Boondocks cartoon is a bunch of embarrassing bullshit.
Princeguy reviews:
"No pretentiousness.
No pompous re-interpretations.
Sometimes, a movie is just a movie. You work hard for your money.
I was looking for him to be loud and vocal during the Katrina incident and didn't hear a peep. He and his "I'm only talkin' cuz I think it's a fight I can win" mouth can STFU. I'm not tryin' to hear him.
if i dreamed natural dreams of being a natural woman doing what a woman does when she's natural i would have a revolution Nikki Giovanni "Revolutionary Dreams"
34. "RE: Man, please...." In response to Reply # 32
what about all the N-bombs dropped when he's on Star and Bucwild? I like rev. Al and all ,but man he's needs to grow up. I think when "black leaders" run low on shine they make up issues. McGruder is expressing the same point he would make it just not as polished. Purposely done I might add. Because, the truth is ugly.
I think I'm being downsized. All of the job functions that I was hired for are done overseas. And my managers aren't including me in group e-mails. Also, I haven't received my paycheck in the last month and a half.
36. "my bad on other post - this goes here..." In response to Reply # 0
AARON MCGRUDER JOINS REV. AL SHARPTONS PROTEST AGAINST THE BOONDOCKS
Los Angeles, CA (Thursday, January 26, 2006) Aaron McGruder, creator and executive producer of the wildly popular animated series The Boondocks has decided that he will join Rev. Al Sharptons protests against the show for its use of the N word, and what Rev. Sharpton described as its desecration of Black historic figures.
I hope Rev. Sharpton will accept my sincere and heartfelt apology for any jokes targeting Rev. Sharpton in this show, even though I dont recall there
being any" said McGruder. "I intend to join Rev. Sharpton at any anti-Boondocks protest action that he may be planning. I will bring a picket sign with concise but strongly worded anti-me language. Ive gone way too far and I feel I need to be stopped. What the heck, I could use a vacation!
McGruder acknowledged that the fight may be difficult seeing as how the series was just renewed for a second season, but he plans to struggle alongside Rev. Sharpton against himself all the way until the summer release of The Boondocks Season One on DVD
38. "well, cartoon network apologized, so now what?" In response to Reply # 0
do any of you aaron cheerleaders honestly think dr. king would be okay with this at all? really? can you even picture dr. king using the n-word? how stupid was that honestly? how could that be remotely funny?
i know everyone's desensitized, but try to actually think for a change....dr. king would be picketing this HIMSELF if he were alive. this is a no-brainer.
39. "RE: well, cartoon network apologized, so now what?" In response to Reply # 38 Fri Jan-27-06 02:21 PM by sithlord
>> i know everyone's desensitized, but try to actually think for a change....dr. king would be picketing this HIMSELF if he were alive. this is a no-brainer.
Uh, if Dr. King were alive, there probably would be no Boondocks and definitely no issue here. I like how people ignored every other thing that was right about that episode and honed in on the one time he called everyone "ignorant niggas". People forget that he then went on to speak out on "niggas". But I guess that wouldn't have given anyone the opportunity for ink.
"What's wrong with revenge? It's the best way to get even? -Archie Bunker
44. "RE: why would there be no boondocks if king were alive?" In response to Reply # 41
well there certainly wouldn't be this episode if he were alive...
but the show did hightlight the situation well enough to make his statement at the end poignant, and not just ill-manored or even taboo. but i doubt that al even watched the whole thing.
52. "al really needs to shut the fuck up..." In response to Reply # 0
..."desecrating our icons" or some such bullshit... nigga probably ain't even watched the episode.
...i'd love to see a television matchup wherein macgruder rips the shit out of sharpton and tells it like it is about modern "black leadership"... shit... martin's dead and the only real tragedy is that the only people we've got "leading" (that is, gaining the spotlight) are folks like al...
...macgruder verbally slaps sharpton, then walks over to the (heretofore unseen) ropes, where barak obama waits. he tags out to obama, but they double suplex sharpton so hard his hair is nappy again when he finally comes to.
55. "RE: Doesnt the good Reverened have a hair appointment to be at right now..." In response to Reply # 54
Wow. Over a word that man gave power to. This is why young people are disconnected from these so-called leaders. They whine about nothing and put forth no new intiatives for change. The use of the N-word...pardon me..."Nigga,"...only demonstrated the level of frustration and despair our community has sunk to when the "King" returned. If these so-called leaders taught the 1964-1968 Doctor King more than they taught the pre-1963 King maybe they would feel where we are coming from. I submit that we as a young generation are more in tune with King's vision than his "Dream" and the so-called leaders need to wake up. Brrrrrr....
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
Okayplayer News Discussion 
