Shouts to Intelligent Ignorance.
Interestingly enough, the question of ‘artistic merit’ is stretched pretty far by McGruder in this episode. While Brandon over at Intelligent Ignorance posed the question of ‘is this more hurtful, than helpful’, I’m reminded of the lessons in history class about the merits of artists that challenged their time, ultimately inventing their own style. At given points in history, Van Gogh and Degas challenged the status quo through their expressions and were often relegated as ‘hacks’ or ‘inciting chaos’. While our times have definitely evolved and McGruder may never be in the same conversation as those artistic legends (except in this post), the principle, to me, is the same.
Art, whether comedy, cartoon, film, theatre, or music, has always had the special distinction of exciting our senses. It makes us laugh and cry, it stimulates our inner critic, and it causes a reaction. Of most importance, it fosters discussion. Art is in imitation of life, and whether your life reflects that piece of art is entirely subjective. The Boondocks is so powerful and polarizing because it does all of those things in a nice-and-neat, shell-shaded package.
Updated: Episode 2 is here.
[video below]
Friday Video(s): Obama and Banned Boondocks BET clip | Young Black Professional Guide
[...] Updated: Full clip here [...]
March 24, 2008 at 1:00 pm
DCBuppie
Hurtful vs Harmful. I felt the same way about Season one of the Chappelle Show. In between.
But shows like this are meant to be though provoking.
On to the BET Satire:
ARgh BET is a disgrace of programming. People complain, write letters nothing changes. I do not support BET shows, however, if your blessed enough to be able to have BET Jazz, you will be amazed at the programming. Complete opposite. Poetry, Comedy, Reality TV series that are actually orginal. International Movies showcasing, africans, carribeans, etc.
Nonetheless BET shows continue to look low budget. There are thousands of African-Americans who are writing shows that never end up on BET, yet BET continues to manufacturer and stamp these bootleg MTV shows.
www. Buppie.Blogspot.com
April 7, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Friday Video: The Other Banned Boondocks Episode | Young Black Professional Guide
[...] [hat tip to Intelligent Ignorance, previous episode here] [...]
April 25, 2008 at 11:38 am
Daniel Brown
This touches to close to the heart. I tried to laugh but it was to realistic.
May 3, 2008 at 1:15 pm