Essay 360

A comical MultiCultClassics Monologue...

• Al Sharpton demanded an apology from Cartoon Network, complaining about an episode of The Boondocks that featured Martin Luther King Jr. using the N-word. “Cartoon Network must apologize and also commit to pulling episodes that desecrate Black historic figures,” Sharpton said. “We are totally offended by the continuous use of the N-word in [cartoonist Aaron] McGruder’s show.” Let’s back Sharpton on this one. It’s peculiar that Cartoon Network censors will bleep all foul language on The Boondocks, yet allow the N-word to flow freely.

• Talk about courting the Black vote. HealthSouth Corp. founder Richard Scrushy is seeking to delay his upcoming bribery trial because there aren’t enough Blacks in the potential juror pool. Scrushy is White, but he’s been extraordinarily friendly with the Black community — he’s donated serious money and even joined a predominately Black church. Can’t say whether Scrushy can expect Sharpton’s support; but it’s pretty likely Scrushy will appear in The Boondocks.

• California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is regaining his popularity, with his approval rating rising from 38% to 45%. He could also pick up more publicity by letting The Boondocks mess with his last name.

• A new study shows Blacks are 55% more likely than Whites to get lung cancer from smoking cigarettes. Hey, this is not news to the tobacco companies that continue to push the ultra-lethal menthol products to Blacks. And that’s not kool, man.