Riley Wuz Here

so a friend and I were discussing the charcter of "Riley Freeman" from The Boondocks. We seem to have varying opinions on the dynamic in all that is Riley. From what I gathered, excuse me love if I misunderstood, Riley is a complete idiot whonis just a waste of space an a liability. And although we can sit around and look for the potential he is what he is, a nigga. Plain and simple.

My friend made some valid points in our discussion I still cont. Empathize w the character. I feel that Riley is just young, immature, and misguided...like most of us (Slave decendants from America). I feel like when things are shown to him on his terms he is capable to call bullshit and has the potential to be just as powerful as Huey w help. I believe I stated to my friend, "Riley is a solider. Huey is a commander. But both are neccessary."

I'm going to share the end of our convo since it's all that the my Touch didn't delete :/ (friend, if u hav the rest on the convo on record feel free to send it to me and I'll post it if u like) But what was discussed was the difference in the prominence of the characters in the comic verses the anime, the level of seriousness in two, and how Riley over all is a weak nigga. Neways, here it goes:

"Santiago": and huey is also young, but ready. He is a soldier

...

"Santiago": Riley's ass... shit he would get shot in the back runnin from the revolution if it ever went down.

Regardless of whatever age, b/c he will always have a young mentality.

Me: I see ur side. Riley represents the common mindset of the black ppl.

He's a nigger. He is full of potential but has no guidance. I don't think that makes him an idiot. I think that makes him evidence of the black state in America.

And no I havnt read the comics but now u have me intrigued. But never the less I don't consider Riley or Uncle Ruckus to just be comic relief. Maybe they are more prominant characters in the cartoon becuz they also represent the ugly side of blacks in America. I think all of main black characters (mr. Dubois, granddad, etc.) represent on the surface very different side of our culture but at the root they are all reactions to the same cause.

The nigger, the revolutionary, the uncle Tom, the uncle ruckus, the negro...they are all products of our oppression and the effects of white brainwashing.

And no they may not all die in the same stance(position) in the revolution but they surely will ALL die.

...

But I'm off topic. My point is Riley should not be dismissed becuz he is a product.

While u think of him in terms of the MLK episode, I view him in terms of the Riley Wuz Here episode.

Think abt that.