The Power in the Main Characters
Huey Freeman
Huey Freeman is one of the main characters in the pro-afro TV series titled “The Boondocks”. According to script, Huey along with his younger brother Riley were raised on the south side of Chicago before their grandfather moved the family to the quiet, predominantly white Baltimore suburb of Woodcrest, Maryland. Throughout the storyline of the show, Huey and his younger brother bicker and often get into trouble based off of the adventures they go on.
Huey is a bit different than the average kid and can sometimes be pessimistic, but personally my favorite. Seems like he views life through the eyes of the sophisticated and wise, especially for his age being was 10 years old at the time. The thought process and view of the flawed society Huey has is similar to somewhat of an activist. Fans often make the assumption his character is based off the last black activist Huey Newton
Black oppression, drugs, societal stereotypes of the black community and even politics are some of the many topics Huey voices his opinion on throughout the show. Huey is one of the three main characters of the show accompanied by his brother Riley and his Grandpa, a.k.a. “Granddad”. If you aren’t familiar with the show, you should familiarize yourself.
Though all the characters have a distinct persona, Riley has the tendency to let his opinion be known whether people feel a way about it or not, making him one of if not, the most outspoken character. Direct and explicit is how I describe him, with a different communicative approach than Huey. Riley is infatuated with some of the common arcs of the black culture, including rap music, urban fashion and taking pride in the adversity young black youth face/overcome from authoritative figures like police, teachers, and media outlets
Despite his loud persona and expected youth immaturity, Riley has shown his intelligence on multiple occasions by making money through small business and devising criminal yet highly tactical plans. Riley is the younger of the two brothers, making sense of the maturity gap, as well as the tendency to piss their grandfather known as “Grandad” off just about any opportunity he feels presents itself. Some of my favorite moments in the show come from interactions between these two.
Like his brother, Riley is opinionated and very sure of his thoughts. Flashes of sophistication can always be seen in his comments about the world around him. Though, the show does a great job at using humor as a base layer but, I’ve watched the show many times and you begin to notice things you didn’t before.
Riley Freeman
Robert Freeman a.k.a. Granddad
Robert Freeman aka, “Granddad” is the foundation of the cast. Think of him as the original Freeman that brought us the antipodal, yet chemistry-profound brothers. Regardless, Robert has his own arc and seniority due to all the events he historical events and racial disparities he’s faced as a black elderly.
In the show, “Granddad” has told stories about his participance in the March on Washington of 1963 where MLK gave his infamous speech (Dr.King also makes a cameo in the show…great episode) and the Montgomery Bus Boycott alongside Rosa Parks. The show of course has a comedic demeanor, putting a twist on how these events can be interpreted from Robert’s point go view All adding to the humor element story-telling and exaggeration.
Robert can sometimes act like a kid too in my opinion, or make child-like mistakes I would say, implementing the element that they all learn from each other, as it should be this way
Elements captured
Wisdom
Granddad seems to take pride in is knowledge of prejudice and harsh reality of the world and tries to bestow it on his grandsons time and time again like most of our grandparents do even Huey and Riley seems to be hip to the fact that racism exists as the plot goes to say the least. Relationship’s complicated, yet this is another aspect of the show’s ability to use literary devices in the plot.
Discrimination
Humor has always been an avenue of coping, and shows like the Boondocks often exhibit this when addressing topics like discrimination, bigotry, prejudice and slavery. Jokes are cracked & references can be harsh as it’s apart of the nature of the show. But lying deeper than the laughs is the true breakdown of discrimination and bigotry some people in both the show and real life can bear a resemblance to.
Family
Capturing the element of tough love in the show, Robert tries to be stern but is sometimes outsmarted by the boys due to how well they know him. Sibling fights, family dinners, grievance are all elements that add to the family sentiment of the show. Most families can relate to the problems
The Boondocks Embodies Culture
Regardless, the deeper aspect of the characters to me was the different and wise perspectives they all sometimes were able to give in contrast. Some of the scenes mentioned can be seen as educational of black history if considering the kids or young adults who weren’t aware of these events before.
The Boondocks mastered humor, I could sit and laugh all day long. As I grow and pay more attention to the things I’m subconsciously attracted to or like watching or consuming whatever, I begin to ask what it is that keeps me intrigued, what it is that keeps me finding my way back to episodes I’ve watched time and time again. It’s the aspect of culture, and relativism and how attainable these scenes can be sometimes. Its what all forms literature do.
Life Imitates Literature
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Literature Imitates Life
I find myself infatuated with the show because the experiences seem so natural to relate to given the family’s ethnic background. There’s obviously more that I like about the show. For example, you have the representation of black enigmatic experiences seen day to day, the transparent adult humor that makes the show top tier, then the anime-style art the creators use to make the characters come to life.
Then the script-writers and developers do a good job at capturing the experience of black culture down to a tee. Something you would have to experience first-hand in order to recreate in art form helping the case of authenticity the show always had.
There has been debate about whether you can consider The Boondocks an anime, but I let the artists handle that, and enjoy the show itself. That doesn’t take away from the art-style adds to the embodiment of the show
In earlier seasons of the show, Huey also introduces the idea of Eurocentrism and its affects. He speaks on white history’s tendency to marginalize and/or omit the prospective of people of color and the experiences and goals we have. An example of this would be the common stigmatism of every black boy wanting to “rap” or play professional sports, limiting them from venturing into other careers.
One of my favorite eps. was “The Story of Thugnificent” which aired in season 2. Throughout the show, a gangster/rapper by the name of “Thugnificent” is glorified in a way that generalizes what the media thinks is the “black boy’s fantasy”. I believe the purpose of the episode was to point out just that, as Huey criticizes his younger brother Riley for idolizing an image as such. Huey makes it his mission every episode to preach somehow including this one, emphasizing the entertainment business’s purpose, referring to the corruption of the mind of black youth which is a common theme amongst his personality.
Show Fact: I have never seen Huey Freeman be drawn or seen with a smile in the show... ever.
Show Fact: Both Riley and Huey's voice actor was a woman. None other than the talented Regina King (Pictured Below)
Regina King
Multi-Award winner Regina King stars in many things other than the Boondocks including the more recent HBO series titled “Watchmen” which I’ve yet to watch but hear good things about, and the beloved “Friday” series with the late acting acquaintance, John Witherspoon. Assuming they developed a great relationship and chemistry working on sets with each other. Regina King has set her acting career in the melting pot of black entertainment and literature by using her talents to portray the cultural images the black community finds relatable in many creative ways.
Rest in Peace John Witherspoon
January 27th, 1942
til’
October 29th, 2019
John Witherspoon was the talent in charge of Grandad’s designated voice while the Boondocks series was airing, making him one of the key pieces to most of the elements I mentioned. Along with The Boondocks, Witherspoon showcased talent in a lot of black entertainment including the 90’s sitcom The Wayan Bros & the beloved Friday movie series. Tragically he passed years back due to a reported heart attack, so as one of the core members of the cast, this closing segment was just a small tribute to the great.
