Comics: The Negronomicon

You've asked for it, here are more cartoons created by afropunk.com member, visual artist / photographer / poet Albert Frank. Time for a good laugh sprinkled with food for thought. Let us know what you think.

Tags: Afro-punk, Cartoons, Comics, Humor, Prejudice, Race

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Comment by Compound Egret on September 7, 2011 at 10:16pm: AF,

We are having a discussion on race right now. Neither of us had to make any comments, but we both did. As opposed to ignoring some uncomfortable discussion I'm just asking why there are too many Black artists justifying these same negative images again and again as "deconstructing" or "defusing" them. That stuff has been around since the 1800s, its still racist, and resisting deconstruction.

Then you want to blaze me with a subtle ad hominem criticism??? It's all good bro. I wish I was 25, and my setting is pretty far from being exclusively white. If I was sitting here typing this from inside my gated community in Beverly Hills (which has a LARGE Persian population btw) would you discount what I said? We'll never agree on this.

Comment by Albert Frankenstein on September 7, 2011 at 9:35pm: Again, to push these negatives in the face of the average person forces them to see that the average American has already accepted those stereotypes. If a black person can't dance, play basketball or fight he is looked at as "abnormal" by both black and white Americans.

Punk is all about pushing the unpleasant realities in your face, and the instance it has worked, well it has worked on me.

You strike me as a strange individual. There's no age info on your page, but if I had to guess I'd say about 25. I'd also say you were either white or you grew up and live in a pretty exclusively white setting. The reason I say this is because it usually is white people who would rather ignore uncomfortable discussions of race. "Leave it in the past. That stuff just stirs up trouble" they say.

If you do an image search for any specialized group you will find "positive images". Try searching for "Masai or Malcolm X".

The problem is that people are neither good nor bad entirely. They are usually just scared.

My last word on this subject will be this: if you go to Stormfront.org you will see plenty of negative images, including Sambos. The difference is that over there all those images are disempowered idiot Sambos waiting for white warriors to kill them. That is the way they want to see all blacks, as cowardly weak, stupid children. They always leave out anything that will give away the fear that underlies their hatred of blacks. The stuff I draw (especially fine art) is of the black guy fucking their daughter, or cutting their wife's head off with a straight-razor. To put those fears in the context of a Smiling cartoon Sambo robs the cartoon of it's utilitarian purpose of humor. I don't just draw stuff like this, but whatever I do I try to force people to look at what they fear. I am a Phobophile.

Comment by Compound Egret on September 7, 2011 at 9:15pm: AF,

I don't watch the boondocks, but I have seen a couple of episodes. From what I saw, whatever positive message there might have been was obscured by a truckload of negative stereotypes. Even worse it is being broadcast to an international audience.

I just have a general problem with Black folks offering themselves up to the catherine wheel to "explore the power"of blatantly negative imagery. It seems to be Black folks way to often too. Do a google image search for an Aztec, a Mayan, a Viking etc. and see what type of pics come up.

Also, can we look at other ethnic groups where embracing and reveling in this sort of thing has led to success?

Comment by Albert Frankenstein on September 7, 2011 at 3:55pm: See, that's where I wouldn't back down. My white friends could kiss my ass on this one. The Boondocks is in your face and forces you to confront your own attitudes towards race in America. White people seem to fall into a very few camps. The most popular of which is to "ignore it".

On an semi-related note I see it as being like this; if I bring up oppressive history I will often hear from white Texans that this history only "stirs up trouble and should be left in the past". These are the same people that think the Rebel flag is valid because it is part of their history and culture.

Comment by Felicia on September 7, 2011 at 4:31am: I think the most offensive one for me was the one where Uncle Rukus meets Jimmy Rebel. It was like a bad car accident. You know you shouldn't look but you just can't seem to turn away. I also made the slightest mistake by watching with some of my white friends. One of them was so offended by Jimmy's songs he made me turn it off.

Comment by Albert Frankenstein on September 7, 2011 at 2:12am: Thanks Felicia. I was just thinking about the "Catcher Freeman" episode of the Boondocks. That was offensive as hell, but it was some of the funniest shit I'd seen on that show. I had to watch with my hands over my mouth cause it wouldn't close!

Comment by Felicia on September 7, 2011 at 1:57am: It's funny how some of the most offensive things can be quite hilarious. I for one love The Boondocks because it portrays some real life sad-sacks in a funny way. I think you're comics are great because while they shock me and offend me at points, I see the realism and the comedy in it

Comment by Albert Frankenstein on September 7, 2011 at 1:24am: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGrqW3nx5HM

But back to the comics, aside from the last one, I can see all of that shit happening in real life. That's why it's funny, because it's real life. I've seen shit like that before. I refuse to ignore it.

Comment by Albert Frankenstein on September 7, 2011 at 1:20am: What are your feelings about The Boondocks?

Comment by Compound Egret on September 7, 2011 at 1:15am: I voiced my opinion on the Golliwog graphic at the time. Have a look...

http://www.afropunk.com/main/search/search?q=golliwog

I still feel the same. Do you. But if you don't care about offending anyone, you can take some criticism.

The link in the last paragraph of your last post doesn't work. Please repost it.