Aaron Mcgruder Reacts To 'Boondocks' R. Kelly Episode Resurfacing, Offers Update On Show's Return

Source: Adult Swim/YouTube

The creator of the animated Adult Swim series has spoken on one of his most well-known episodes.

With the physical and sexual abuse allegations against R. Kelly resurfacing through the recent release of Lifetime's Surviving R. Kelly documentary, has also come the return of The Boondocks episode about the singer. Titled "The Trial of R. Kelly," the episode aired three years before Kelly's actual trial on child pornography charges, and featured Kelly protesters and supporters fighting against each other before a verdict in the case is made.

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But the most notable scene comes from Huey Freeman who, displeased with seeing people in the courtroom celebrating Kelly's innocence, addresses everyone present: "What the hell is wrong with you people?...Every famous nigga that gets arrested is not Nelson Mandela...We all know the nigga can sing but what happened to standard, what happened to bare minimum? You a fan of R. Kelly? You wanna help R. Kelly? Then get some counseling for R. Kelly...But don't pretend the man is a hero."

Now, almost 14 years since its debut, the episode has returned and Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder has some thoughts on it.

In an interview with The Undefeated, McGruder said that the conversation surrounding the episode is "just a little jarring" but he's glad to see it a part of the national conversation being had about Kelly.

"R. Kelly was a very slow-moving cultural thing that took place over years and years and years. And there was a lot of time for everyone to really think about it and mull it over and decide how they felt," McGruder said. "We live in the era now where we don't do that anymore. We don't wait for the judge and jury. We make our decisions quick. It's a very, very different time. And I think a lot of people are trying to reconcile their older selves and their R. Kelly fandom."

Elsewhere in the interview, McGruder also hints at bringing the show back, offering a vague response: "It's close."

The interview can be read here.

Source: The Undefeated