Quoted: Aaron McGruder on Satire
What responsibilities, if any, do satirists have to their audience? Are they obligated to deliver a message while also making us laugh?
McGRUDER: I don’t think anyone can define the rules for satire. We operate with the message — that’s the easy part. Everyone sits at home with their political opinions. The important thing is making it as funny as possible and knowing when to pull back on the message for the sake of the message…. It’s indulgent to turn off the audience for the sake of preaching — the goal is not to turn off the viewer. … But it can never just [be about the jokes] for me. I’m not like a funny person. I’m not like a comedian. I have things I want to say. … Bill Maher does find a nice balance between the jokes and tackling the serious issues. So few outlets [offer] those issues in a serious fashion.Do you think a satirist can influence public opinion, be it a viewer or a voter?
McGRUDER: Good satire goes beyond the specific point it’s trying to make and teaches you how to think critically. Even when your favorite cartoonist retires or Colbert wraps it up, you’re not left believing everything they’re telling you. That’s probably what you’re hoping for as a satirist.[...]
So what’s satire’s role at the end of the day?
McGRUDER: It’s still about imparting a message about the lies a society tells itself. We can all live in collective denial. We can lie to ourselves pretty easily. It’s a challenge. Satire is the least commercially viable form of comedy. … There really is a distaste for being preached at. People have a very low tolerance for it — newspaper audiences have a way higher tolerance for it than others. But it’s tough on TV.
— From The Washington Post’s Comic Riffs blog. Continue reading the full article here.
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
Fiqah wrote:
SIGH…
I’m still kinda in love with our boy Aaron for giving the world “The Boondocks” comic strip; Huey is everything I’d want my son to be. He’s had some very serious missed-satire-and-is-nos-perpetuating-what-he-says-he-wants-to-skewer with the show, though. I’m kinda too busy to discuss this intelligently. Merq: I hope you’re reading, cuz that’s your cue.
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 11:30 am ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
Fiqah–I’ll join you at the Swoons for Aaron Club.;-) And “Boondocks”? Just too much fun for the page!
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 12:11 pm ¶
Shelby wrote:
I have mixed feelings about McGruder and The Boondocks. I agree with Fiqah that the satire fails sometimes (although I haven’t really followed the comics, just the show.) I didn’t like the Katrina episode (where NOLA cousins come stay with Huey and the fam while awaiting their fema check) at all, it just seemed to mock the victims and their perceived laziness. And although the R.Kelly trial episode gets an ‘A’ for awesomeness, it could’ve been A+ work if Huey’s monologue at the end the devaluation of little black girls everywhere and less on R.Kelly…or if the monologue weren’t delivered by Huey, but his revolutionary, kick-ass, afro-wearin sister. But alas, no such character exists. Which is my major problem with the show: we (black women) don’t get a positive, comprehensive voice. Or much of a voice at all.
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 1:18 pm ¶
Tasha wrote:
i would love to get huey’s stance on obama
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 1:19 pm ¶
A. wrote:
Does it help that I have a complete and total crush on Aaron McGruder?
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 1:19 pm ¶
lunanoire wrote:
The strip seemed to strike a decent balance between satirizing politics and pop culture. In a Q&A McGruder said that some of his fans of the strip only understood it 1/2 of the time (ex: politically minded older ppl who are not up on current pop culture).
I like to associate w/ people who understand the strip most of the time, which is why I’m a fan of this blog.
Keep up the good work!
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 1:41 pm ¶
Angel H. wrote:
*lol!
Say what you will, but that is one fine looking man!
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 2:27 pm ¶
Marge Twain wrote:
Mmm.
Cosign with A and Angel. Can we please get a running feature of Aaron McGruder cheesecake pics a la Keanu?
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 4:36 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
*Latoya cracks open one eye from her deathbed.*
A/Angel/Marge/TCS – You’re welcome. My friend and I were actually going to try to find him around the MD campus (this was years ago) but we figured it would qualify as stalking.
Shelby/Fiqah –
I promise we’ll revisit.
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 4:39 pm ¶
dnA wrote:
Wow, I’m sort of surprised by the swooning on this thread. after watching his show for a while, it became clear to me that Aaron McGruder hates women like Boston hates the Yankees.
But if you’re only a fan of the strip, I can see why someone would admire him. I loved Boondocks when it was just the comic, but I pretty much got tired of McGruder after that episode where the beautiful woman commits suicide after grampa rejects her on the first date. The disembodied “bitch voice” in her bluetooth earpiece was already too much.
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 4:48 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
@dnA – Oh yes. There will be a post on that. Even in the strip, this sentiment is revealed. And I had some interesting conversations with my biracial friends on what Jasmine was supposed to represent.
(He’s still hot. He’s just a hot woman hater. Best to leave him be.)
I’m taking a nap now…
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 4:53 pm ¶
Marge Twain wrote:
@Latoya: I LOL’d that you considered stalking the guy. I wish I could say that if I was in the same city I would know better than to accidentallyonpurpose run into him in the red cocktail minidress I just happen to wear every day.
I would, however, bring you some chicken soup. Since I’m on the opposite coast, well wishes will have to do. I hope you get better soon.
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 4:53 pm ¶
Marge Twain wrote:
@dnA: The nice thing about celebrity crushes is that they’re only based on the image of the person and there’s a lot of projection involved. I actually didn’t know about his sexism so, thanks for bringing it up. I haven’t ever seen the TV show and I used to enjoy the comic strip but I haven’t seen it since the last time I read a 3-d newspaper, which I think was approximately during the Bronze Age?
[Sigh] It does take my esteem of him down. Ignorance was bliss.
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 5:43 pm ¶
cw wrote:
Is there going to be a third season?
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 10:10 pm ¶
browne wrote:
As a practitioner of the art of satire, I can’t speak for Aaron, but it depends on how far the satirist would like to go. As a performance artists I’ve spent entire weeks being a satirical, hoping someone would call me out or notice, but most people are too polite to say anything.
I think the entire Boondocks show is satire. He’s so clever, I think South Park is genius too, did you see the Rich people episode, genius.
I think you can’t have strong women on the show, because boys, even the best boys don’t like little girls.
It’s obvious everyone in the show is flawed, he can’t just add people for the sake of adding them.
Maybe Aaron hates girls, but I think it is Huey that hates girls. The character is obvious written as a chauvinistic jerk. He totally oppresses Jasmine and I think it’s to show the flaw in even the most conscious of brothers.
Browne
Posted 23 Jul 2008 at 10:35 pm ¶
Minotaar wrote:
Did you see that rediculous CNN segment that is saying that african americans are more susceptible to HIV? More of the “researchers who have no idea what race really is” stuff. Time to give Doc Graves on the case!
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 6:46 am ¶
gatamala wrote:
Even though I loved the strip, I get what shelby, dna & LP are saying about his views of women. They don’t really exist and when they do it is invariably negative.
I thought the Katrina episode was unfair.
I was wondering when you would discuss Jasmine. My impression is that she represents the stereotypical biracial chick who can’t “fix” her hair. Even Grandpa made a comment about it in the strip.
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 8:27 am ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
@ Marge Twain–Yeah, ignorance was bliss, wasn’t it?
::gives back Swoons for Aaron card::
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 8:33 am ¶
Fiqah wrote:
@TCS – LOL! The line for that fan club is around the block.
@dNA: This is gonna sound awful…but he’s no more sexist than any other straight Black man I know. Seriously. That may be community commentary.
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 8:37 am ¶
Glossolalia Black wrote:
The things about the show that make me uncomfortable (the continuous n-word barrage, A Pimp Named Slickback and his reflections on masculinity and treatment of women, Uncle Ruckus’ self-hatred, Colonel Stinkmeaner’s everything-hatred, Huey’s treatment of Jazmine, Jazmine’s perpetual naiivete) don’t stop me from watching the show. I would have loved having this show around when I was younger and perhaps even too young to be watching it. I think my fourteen year old self might have been enlightened by the idea that men like Uncle Ruckus exist. Because then I might have discovered the ill will that I sometimes felt towards my own was not exactly uncommon in black people, and taken to the extreme, is a ridiculous caricature that I’d want nothing to do with.
Seriously though, the Jazmine thing does bug me on occasion. I wonder if he’s ever been asked why he writes her the way he does.
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 8:56 am ¶
G.D. wrote:
I was also a big fan of the strip, but the show seems so scattershot and unfocused to me. I can never tell what they’re supposed to be skewering; they’re just skewering everything, and also trafficking in contemptuous stereotype most of the time.
And ditto dNa’s comments on the portrayal of women.
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 8:59 am ¶
G.D. wrote:
Fiqah: ouch.
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 9:01 am ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
@ fiqah–…friend, but that doesn’t excuse Aaron for being sexist/misogynist or having issues with casting bi-racial people as “confused.” And it doesn’t excuse any other straight Black man that you or I know, either, from being sexist/misogynist. And it doesn’t excuse any Black folks who want to cast bi-racial people as “confused” from doing so.
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 9:11 am ¶
The Voice of Reason wrote:
Do we know any of his personal views about women? I don’t know the man (wish I did, seems like cool cat) but I can’t assume he HATES women. That seems to go far really fast. As far the show, I think it has to be over the top sometimes. We need something pointing at some of the ridiculousness in Black America that says look, this particular portrayal is in jest, but for real, some of what we get involved in is absurd. Props to the brother for doing just that.
And if you haven’t done so yet, check for the brother Asheru who does the theme song. As a fan, I can tell you, he’s amazing
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 9:19 am ¶
DEAF FEMINIST PUNK!! wrote:
damn, not only is he smart and funny, but he’s FINEEEEE, too
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 11:20 am ¶
Fiqah wrote:
@TCS: Sorry if I gave the impression that I was giving McGruder a “pass” or some such stuff. I routinely call the people in my life on their
-isms, -obias and other bullsheist. Sexism – in the Black community in general, and in “The Boondocks” in particular – is something that, ideally, he should address. (Also, considering the fact that McGruder has a substantial Black female audience, he SHOULD have been taken to task for not addressing sexism already ago.) But you know what? So should EVERY man of color with a mind, a liberal/radical platform, a desire to enact positive change, and an audience. Am I disappointed that McGruder appears to be harboring some VERY sexist notions as expressed through “The Boondocks?” Absolutely. But am I surprised? Not hardly. That’s all I was saying. MMMMUUUAHHHHH! Still love ya.
@G.D.: Sorry, honey, I calls ‘em like I sees ‘em.
@Latoya: hope you’re feeling better, this could be a VERY interesting thread…
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 12:19 pm ¶
conpermiso wrote:
i have to agree with others about the Boondocks show being scattershot. when it’s on, it’s ON (Dr. King, Garden Party, the BET episodes, and lots more).
but when it’s off, it’s WAY off (the whole “n*gga technology” meme, and the entire “tom, sarah, and usher” episode). The TS&U episode left me literally squirming in my seat…the naked misogyny was just painful to watch.
The comment about little boys not liking girls is on point to me; it explains a lot about Riley (especially the “return of gangstalicious” episode).
i hope there is a third season..even tho the show is hit and miss, the fact that i’ve had two seasons of Chappelle and two seasons of the Boondocks makes the 1st decade of the millennium an important one (for me, at least) with regard to Black representation and culture in popular media.
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 4:33 pm ¶
NancyP wrote:
I liked the comics at first (they were dropped by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after a few years), largely because of their novelty. Yes, there was a mean streak to the comics in the treatment of Jasmyne and a few others, but, more often than not, it was worth reading. I don’t do cable TV, so I have never seen the show. (pretty soon, I might not do any tv, unless I bother to get the magic box for antenna users).
Posted 24 Jul 2008 at 10:20 pm ¶
The Cruel Secretary wrote:
@ fiqah–you know I love you back!:-D
Posted 25 Jul 2008 at 8:17 am ¶
Ali wrote:
McGruder kind of strikes me as one of those social awkward guys who never had much success with women when he was younger. Now that’s he’s semi rich and famous he’s going to make all women every where pay for what they’ve done to him (insert evil villain laughter)! And lucky for me he seems to have a special place of hatred set aside for black women!
The episode with Grandad’s young (stripper) girlfriend pushed me damn near to the breaking point. All though, I was laughing uncontrollably at him teaching the white woman in the grocery store how to “properly” beat her kid.
I’d love get Regina King’s take on the characters. Sometimes I wonder how she brings herself to voice some of the things that come out of little bad ass Riley’s mouth.
@browne – I see what you’re saying and I appreciate your point about Huey representing all of those “concious” chauvinists out there. The thing that gets me is Huey’s not writer on the show, McGruder is. He could give the female characters a voice to fight back with but doesn’t. Instead he chooses to have them chase down their pimps car on the freeway, on foot, in “stripper heels.” DO NOT WANT!
@ TCS – I don’t know why but the visual of you turning in your McGruder card made me laugh!
@Fiqah – You said, “This is gonna sound awful…but he’s no more sexist than any other straight Black man I know. Seriously. That may be community commentary.” DAMN really?!
Posted 25 Jul 2008 at 10:08 am ¶
Tasha wrote:
I’ll have to agree with Fiquah. The difference is in the levels of sexism but to be exposed to this society be a male and not be sexist is nearly impossible for males…let alone females
Posted 25 Jul 2008 at 10:38 am ¶
Marge Twain wrote:
“…because boys, even the best boys don’t like little girls. ”
I thought the late great Calvin and Hobbes actually did a great job of being a boy-centered cartoon that also allowed Susie Derkins to be a cool, smart girl, making her a worthy archnemesis for Calvin and someone us girls could also identify with.
Posted 25 Jul 2008 at 1:15 pm ¶
sfsinger wrote:
The strip was funny as well as the tv show, but it was difficult to watch at times. I really hated the liberal use of the n word by what are supposed to be an 8 and 10 year old but it was so well written and steeped in knowledge. The Unkle Ruckus/Remus duality was brilliant and even that took me one full season to connect. Yeah – I know it’s so obvious for some and a great learning tool for others. The R Kelly ep is a classic and was so on the money a full 3-4 years ahead of the curve. The MLK episode too. The ‘banned’ BET episodes were equally brilliant. I am sorry that politricks took over and it was cancelled. McCruder and Chapelle should do a show together.
Posted 27 Jul 2008 at 12:30 am ¶
bdsista wrote:
He grew up in Columbia, Md which is known for its integration and being a safe haven for bi/multiracial families, so he may be exploring his Blackness. But Magruder is still young, and I don’t think he necessarily hates women, he just hasn’t had much guidance as to how to insert them into his work.
The cougar stretches and licks her claws…..
Maybe I’ll catch him when he comes home to visit and straighten the little cutie pie out .
Posted 30 Jul 2008 at 12:06 am ¶
paul winston wrote:
This show should be compulsory viewing for ALL black people! Why is’nt it shown in the UK!
Aaron McGruder Rules.
Posted 19 Oct 2008 at 1:43 pm ¶