The Boondocks - Representation.

Representation in the black community has been an issue for decades upon decades and in the case of The Boondocks, the issue has been mentioned a handful of times. 

A lot of problems occurred due to the lack of positive role models in the black community. Homophobia could be considered one, I know it's not the blame of just that. I know religion and many other factors play a part, but hear me out.

Riley, the younger brother, is usually the character who has the most to say in the episodes revolving around homophobia. His attitude toward Gay people, as explained by Mcgruder, came from his role models on TV which are either rappers on BET or athletes.

All or at the least most of Riley's behavior and opinions on the world is a mirror of what he sees other black people doing on TV which is Aaron Mcgruder's subtle way of calling out mainstream media for not representing Black kids as much as they tailor media for the White kids.

Also, the stuff that WAS tailored for a black audience was violent and validated stereotypes of the Black community. That is why Aaron has had such a problem and throws so much shade at BET.

 It's starting to improve now. More shows and movies with Black lead roles ie: Luke Cage and Black Panther. That is all relatively new though.

 This show came out in the early 2000s. A time where children of color growing up had little to no shows that had characters they could identify with. Most of the superheroes were White maybe besides one or two shows like Static Shock or Cyborg on the Teen Titans. Only like a hand full of shows were tailored specifically for Black children, but the ones that were available were great like, The Proud Family, That's so Raven or Class of 3000 starring Andre 3000. 

Any child who isn't white has had trouble finding positive role models who look like them in media.

 There's a scarcity and that needs to change.