February 23, “Boondocks” Comic Strip Creator to Speak at UAB

UAB’s Black History Month observances will include a visit by Aaron McGruder, creator of the syndicated comic strip “The Boondocks.” McGruder will deliver his address, “The Politics of ‘The Boondocks,’” at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the UAB Campus Recreation Center, Center Court, 1501 University Blvd.

   January 13, 2009

Aaron McGruder. Download image.

• Celebrating Black History Month

• Cartoonist Aaron McGruder to visit campus

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB's Black History Month observances will include a visit by Aaron McGruder, creator of the syndicated comic strip "The Boondocks." McGruder will deliver his address, "The Politics of 'The Boondocks,'" at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the UAB Campus Recreation Center, Center Court, 1501 University Blvd. McGruder will discuss his views on the political, historical and cultural issues that affect African-Americans. A question and answer period will follow. The event is free and open to the public. Call the UAB Office of Student Involvement at 205-934-8225 for more details.

McGruder's "The Boondocks" comic strip is about two young African-American brothers from inner city Chicago who are living with their grandfather in a sedate suburb. Through the leftist Huey - named after Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton - and his younger brother, Riley, a young wanna-be gangster, the strip explores issues involving African-American culture and American politics.

McGruder debuted "The Boondocks" in the University of Maryland student newspaper, The Diamondback, in 1997 where he was a student. The comic strip has since become a cultural phenomenon. It was published as anthologies in "Public Enemy #2" and "A Right to be Hostile." It also was a series on the Cartoon Network.

Other Black History Month events at UAB will include a screening of the 2008 Tyler Perry film "The Family That Preys" at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at the Hill University Center, Alumni Auditorium, 1400 University Blvd. The event is free and open to the public. Call 205-934-8225 for details.

On Saturday, Feb. 14, the ASC Kids' Club will present "A Celebration of Black History Month," 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., presented by the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham. Local performers and teachers Alicia Johnson-Reed and Quinton Cockrell will create and direct this exciting program along with talented children from the Alys Stephens Center's own theatrical camps and drama programs. The celebration will include live music, spoken word and many fun surprises. Tickets are $7. The event is part of the ASC Kids' Club Series. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for more information.

UAB students will test their knowledge of black history at the Black History Month Think Fast Trivia Competition, 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at the UAB Hill University Center, Great Hall, 1400 University Blvd. The event is free and open to the public. Call 205-934-8225 for details.

The UAB Foreign Film Series will present the film "Guelwaar" at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the UAB Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall, 950 13th St. S. The event is free and open to the public. For more details, call 205-934-4652.

In this drama/comedy from Senegal, Pierre Henri Thioune - called Guelwaar, the Noble One - a political activist and pillar of the local Christian community, dies mysteriously. What is even more mysterious is his disappearance after his death. To the horror of his fellow Christians, they discover that Guelwaar's body was misidentified and mistakenly buried in a Muslim cemetery. The mix-up results in family conflicts, religious battles and bureaucratic red tape, leading to a tense standoff at the grave site.

Ousmane Sembène directed "Guelwaar." The film is in Wolof with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes.