Not Ghetto Mess
Aaron Magruder: Thank you for paving the way…for smart asses like me.
Aaron McGruder
Cartoonist
Born: 29 May 1974
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Just a few years ago, when he was still a young college student, Aaron McGruder decided to create a comic strip that reflected both his love of hip-hop culture and the true racial diversity and complexity of the world in which he lived.
The result was The Boondocks, the story of a group of African-American city kids adjusting to life in white suburbia. Combining childhood antics with contemporary political and social satire, the strip explores the terrain where dashikis and Brand Nubian CDs meet The Gap and Hanson.
McGruder began the strip while he was in college at the University of Maryland. After a few months of publication in the hip-hop magazine The Source, McGruder’s strip was syndicated for national distribution; it debuted in more than 150 U.S. newspapers in April of 1999 and immediately gained national attention. McGruder, through The Boondocks, casts acerbic barbs about social and political issues. Race is a common topic, and McGruder, who is black, gets heat from all sides. The strip’s open attacks on the Bush presidency caused some newspapers to move it to the editorial page, but in 2005 McGruder began focusing on an animated version. The animated series, “The Boondocks” just began its second season on Adult Swim—the adult block of programming in The Cartoon Network. With the success of the cartoon, he put the daily strip on hold in 2006.
With Reginald Hudlin and Kyle Baker, McGruder also co-wrote the graphic novel Birth of a Nation (2004).
Through his work, Aaron seeks to provoke thought, help improve the state of racial discourse and expand the types of humor found on newspaper comics pages.
And THAT’S why he’s a man after my own heart. I like Aaron because he isn’t afraid to challenge our views on race and popular culture. He takes our behind-closed-doors discussions and confronts us with it. He represents a new, young, revolutionary, ironic, acerbic, in-your-face, outside-the-box way of thinking that, I believe, will ultimately be the key to our cultural progression. The realness in his work has been a role model for me. His unwillingness to tone it down or soften things up to please the Black thought police or the old fogeys or young fogeys or white folks is inspiring. When are we going to stop being afraid to speak honestly to each other without regard of who may be listening?
Aaron thank you for not being afraid to say whats on your mind. We are all better for it. You are Not Ghetto.
Email This Post
Loading ...16 Comments
-
I love his work! I hope he is able to continue his show. Sad as it is, B.E.T. needs to be on blast and held accountable for the culture it is cultivating and Aaron is just the man to do it.
-
I LOVE THE BOONDOCKS MY FAVORITE OF ALL-TIME.
-
I loved his thought provoking humor when it was published, but now that it’s in cartoon form, it pushes the envelope of abrasiveness with the off color (no pun intended) language.
I still wish him the best though…
-
his last name is “mcgruder”
-
sigh…. he is so dreamy
-
I agree with aaliyah he is soooooo freggin sexxxy!!!
-
I love the boondocks M Mcgruder is doing his thing! He is a cutey as well *bonus*
-
Mr. McGruder keep on publishing and don’t ever let them sell you the “it’s politically incorrect HOG”!
-
what’s really good i dig yo work fam i was jus on this computer looken at talented black people doen they thang and i seen u up there and thats love real talk me and moms moved up here from miss 2 mich n e way keep doen yo thang
-
Just wanted to say Thank you.
-
Aaron, I absolutely love Boondocks! Ive been reading the comic strip for a long time and was elated when the cartoon came to tv. I love how Huey and Riley represent 2 totally different sides and viewpoints on life and I admire you for putting folks on blast like BET, R Kelly, gay thugs, etc. The MLK episode was phenominal! My brotha, from one Gemini to another…I just want to tell you “thank you” for holding a mirror up in front of our faces with each episode. On a side note: LOL, I know Huey is a cartoon, but I swear he has a level of consciousness that is attractive, not to mention he rocks the trademark “Boondock Fro”. I hope that you continue to find ways to educate, inform and inspire:)
-
I too am a big fan of the boondocks yet it is no longer on adult swim. This is truly sad. Although the cartoon version was not as kid friendly as the comic strip his views were and are the views of alot of people on both sides of the race lines where ever they might have been drawn. I really wish someone would pick up the show because if you really analyzed the show outside of the vulgar aspects he touched on alot of serious issues. Although Samuel L.. as gin rummy is always quick hilarious.. “How did i know he was gonna shoot back.. It was an unknown unknown…” to funny..
-
MAD ups to Mr. McGruder. I’m glad someone had the foresight to bring intelligent believable afro-asiatic suburban hood to the masses. Do what you do and thank you man.
-
Jam, did you believe in what you wrote here? If so, why has the forum section of this site been left to flap in the wind?
Flawed as it was, it was voice much like that of the Boondocks…
Will it ever be rid of the spambots and inferior “upgrades” that have all but silenced it?
Is it your intention to continue to let the legendary HGM forums to lie helpless and unprotected, fallow and unwelcoming… if so…
‘Tis a true pity!
-
Absolutely adore the comic strip…. never really watched the cartoon. Used to have the new strips on my webpage every day!!
-
Aaron McGruder is brilliant. Keep up the good work.
Know someone who is Not a Ghetto Mess?
We're highlighting the outstanding members our community who have risen above.
Have something to say about HGM?
Send us you feedback, questions, and concerns. We might even it feature it on our site.
Leave a comment